Orien Levy Woolf Division of Social Work

Website: https://twu.edu/social-work/

Director: John Terrizzi, PhD 
Location: OMB 410, CFO 710
Phone: 940-898-2071
Fax: 940-898-2068
E-mail: socialwork@twu.edu

The Orien Levy Woolf Division of Social Work is a place where faculty and students embrace academic excellence, ethics, diversity, and the pursuit of social justice to enhance the lives of vulnerable and oppressed populations. The division is a reflection of social work’s historic commitment to human rights, cultural complexity, and social, economic, and environmental justice. Our overarching goal is to educate and graduate diverse, ethical, competent social work students who are able to think critically and use evidence-based practice approaches to effectively serve culturally diverse, vulnerable individuals, families, and communities in a wide variety of practice areas as practitioners, leaders, and social justice advocates.

The division offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares students for generalist social work practice. Based on the generalist model, the program includes theoretical concepts, values, and skills taught through participation in the classroom, laboratory, and field settings. 

For information about Social Work, please visit our Social Work Website.

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

Graduate Degrees Offered

Special Departmental Requirements

  • Students must receive a C or higher in all social work courses and department requirements.
  • Students must complete all courses in a semester before beginning any courses in the next semester.
  • Students must meet with their advisor at least once a semester.
  • Students are not allowed Independent Study credit for courses typically offered as organized classes.
  • Credit will not be given for former or current employment.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements. The following degrees have additional secondary admission criteria:

Faculty

*FELDERHOFF, BRANDI, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.S.W., University of North Texas; M.S.W., Texas A&M University Commerce; Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
*KELLY-RICKS, NILA N., Professor of Social Work, B.S., Oklahoma State University; M.S.W., University of Oklahoma; Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
*LI, YONG, Associate Professor, M.S., State University of New York System: Albany; PhD, State University of New York System: Albany
*MERCADO-SIERRA, MARTA, Assistant Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Puerto Rico-Humacao; M.S.W., University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras; Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras
*NAHAR, SHAMSUN, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.S., The University of Dhaka; M.S.W., University of Texas-Arlington; Ph.D., University of Texas-Arlington
RILEY, BRIANA, Assistant Professor of Social Work, B.S.W., Lubbock Christian University; M.S.W., University of Texas at Arlington
*ROSA-DAVILA, EMARELY, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Puerto Rico-Humacao; M.S.W., University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras; Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
*RUNNELS, RATONIA C., Associate Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.S., University of Texasat Austin; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
*TILTON, ABIGAIL C., Professor of Social Work, B.S.W., University of North Texas; M.S.S.W., University of Texas at Arlington; Ph.D., University of North Texas

Asterisk (*) denotes Graduate Faculty status.

Courses

Contact hours identified in the course descriptions are based on a 15-week term.  Students who enroll in Summer or mini-terms are expected to meet the same total number of contact hours as a 15-week term.

SOWK 1403. Introduction to Social Welfare Policies and Services. (TCCN SOCW 2361) An overview of U.S. social welfare policies, programs, and service systems within historical, social, political, and cultural contexts. Students examine how social problems are defined and addressed through various policy and service responses. Social science approaches are used to analyze the development, structure, and impact of social welfare systems and to explore the relationship between social policy and social work practice. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Satisfies Social & Behavioral Sciences Core (80). Co-requisite: SOWK 1411. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 1411. Social Work Praxis Lab. Introduces students to the helping process through a 30-hour volunteer experience in an approved social service agency. Students engage in structured journaling, agency analysis, and guided reflection to develop insight into service delivery, client populations, and professional roles. Learning activities support the development of foundational skills related to professional behavior, self-awareness, and understanding of practice contexts. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SOWK 1403 or permission of instructor. Two laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 2813. Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Introduces theories and perspectives used to understand human behavior within biological, psychological, social, and environmental contexts. Emphasis is placed on ecological systems and the Person-in-Environment framework to examine how individuals' needs, capacities, and experiences develop across the life span. Students explore interactions among individuals, families, groups, organizations, and broader social systems to support culturally informed and developmentally appropriate assessment. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Satisfies Social & Behavioral Sciences Core (80). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 3053. Social Research. This course introduces students to the principles and processes of social science research as applied to social work practice. Emphasis is placed on research-informed practice and practice-informed research, including ethical decision-making, problem formulation, literature review, research design, measurement, sampling, data collection, and data analysis. Students develop skills in critically analyzing quantitative and qualitative research, interpreting statistical findings, and applying research evidence to inform social work practice, policy, and program evaluation. The course prepares students to design a research proposal and to evaluate practice effectiveness with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within a culturally responsive and justice-oriented framework. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 3221. Social Work Practice I Laboratory. Application of social work practice skills with emphasis on assessment of individual functioning. Use of the simulation lab. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Co-requisite: SOWK 3223. Two laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 3223. Social Work Practice I. Study of processes that guide generalist social work practice. Using a person-in-environment perspective, students learn to develop the helping relationship and micro-practice skills in interviewing, information gathering, assessment, intervention planning, and implementation across practice levels, termination, and evaluation. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: All required 1000 and 2000-level courses with a grade C or higher and permission of the instructor. Co-requisite: SOWK 3221. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 3231. Social Work Practice II Laboratory. Application of social work practice skills with emphasis on assessment of group and family functioning. Use of the simulation video lab. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: SOWK 3221 and SOWK 3223. Co-requisite: SOWK 3233. Two laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 3233. Social Work Practice II. Continuation of theory and processes for generalist social work practice. Building on content from SOWK 3223, students further develop interviewing, assessment, and documentation skills. The content includes an in-depth examination of small group and family dynamics, as well as skills and techniques related to mediation, leadership, and evaluating intervention effectiveness across practice levels. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: SOWK 3223 and SOWK 3221. Co-requisite: SOWK 3231. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 3241. Social Work Practice III Laboratory. Application of macro-level social work practice competencies through experiential and community-engaged learning. Students collaborate in small groups to assess community needs and resources, analyze power structures, design, implement, and evaluate evidence-informed interventions, and engage in advocacy and policy-relevant practice with community partners. Grounded in a person-in-environment and systems framework, the course advances students' ability to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior; engage in culturally responsive, justice-oriented practice; apply research to inform practice decisions; and critically evaluate outcomes to improve practice effectiveness. Supports students' development of professional judgment, collaboration, and readiness for field placement, consistent with current CSWE EPAS competencies. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: SOWK 3223 and SOWK 3221. Co-requisite: SOWK 3243. Two laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 3243. Social Work Practice III. Focuses on generalist social work practice at the macro level, emphasizing intervention in situations where there is a lack of fit between individuals or groups and organizations or institutions. Building on prior practice coursework, students develop skills in data gathering, assessment, planning, report writing, implementation, and evaluation. Prepares students for professional roles as advocates, planners, evaluators, and consultants working with at-risk populations and diverse communities. Grounded in person-in-environment and systems perspectives, the course integrates research-informed, culturally responsive, and justice-oriented approaches to macro social work practice, preparing students for field placement and professional practice. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: SOWK 3221 and SOWK 3223. Co-requisite: SOWK 3241. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 3453. Children's Rights and Services. Examines the customary and legal rights of children and the historical development of statements and declarations related to children's rights. Students explore social policies and services that support children and families, including income maintenance, education, childcare, institutional and foster care, homemaker services, protective services, and resources for adolescent parents. The content emphasizes the analysis of service systems and policies that shape the well-being of children across diverse contexts. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 3513. Culturally Competent Practice. Study of diversity and difference in practice, emphasizing how cultural identities, social locations, historical contexts, and systemic factors shape client experiences across micro, mezzo, and macro environments. Students examine race, ethnicity, gender, social status, immigration histories, and other dimensions of diversity as they relate to engagement, communication, and access to services. Content includes exploration of cultural perspectives, family structures, values, and perceptions of professional helping. Students reflect on their own beliefs and behaviors to understand how these may influence ethical and culturally responsive practice. The Person-in-Environment perspective is used to support culturally responsive engagement and assessment skills. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Satisfies Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40) or Social & Behavioral Sciences Core (80). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 3813. Human Behavior in Social Environment II. Examines human behavior in the social environment using multi-systems and person-in-environment frameworks. Content addresses individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and broader social institutions. Building on concepts introduced in SOWK 2813, the course applies social work theories to analyze culture, social structures, and patterns of inequality as they relate to human behavior. Emphasis is placed on culturally informed and ethically grounded practice, as well as the role of social work values, ethics, and policy in shaping practice contexts. Students develop analytical and applied skills to assess and intervene across system levels within diverse social environments. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: SOWK 2813. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4203. Family Violence and Sexual Assault. Examines family violence and sexual assault across the lifespan, with particular attention to women as victims and survivors within diverse social, cultural, and structural contexts. Students explore theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and evidence-based practice approaches related to child abuse, intimate partner violence, incest, and sexual assault. Emphasis is placed on prevention, advocacy, ethical and culturally responsive practice, and the application of research to inform policy and professional intervention in the field of family violence. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4433. Social Issues, Programs, and Policies. An examination of the policy-making process. Current social issues, programs, and public policy issues are explored. Intervention techniques aimed at influencing and changing social welfare and public policies. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: SOWK 1403 and six additional hours of social work courses. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4463. Social Work Integrative Seminar. Provides an opportunity to discuss and process the field practicum experience. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: Completion of all coursework, cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above, minimum program GPA of 2.75, a grade of C or higher in all SOWK courses, and permission of the social work faculty. This course is required for CSWE accreditation. Co-requisite: SOWK 4469. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4469. Social Work Field Practicum. Provides students with a supervised social work experience in an agency setting. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: Completion of all coursework, cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above, minimum program GPA of 2.75, a grade of C or higher in all SOWK courses, and permission of the social work faculty. Co-requisite: SOWK 4463. Thirty-two practicum hours a week. Credit: Nine hours.

SOWK 4473. Mental Health and Social Work. Examines the mental health care system within its sociocultural and policy contexts. Students explore biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives on mental health conditions and use the current DSM to classify disorders and consider prevalence and comorbidity. A holistic, person-in-environment approach guides assessment and intervention through biopsychosocial, risk-and-resilience, and strengths-based frameworks. Introduces major treatment modalities and emphasizes analyzing research and policy to understand how systems influence mental health outcomes. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: SOWK 2813. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4613. Grieving. Preparation to work with clients grieving a loss. Examination of dying and death from philosophical, cultural, medical, and psychological perspectives. Other losses including disaster, divorce, and loss of innocence due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Models of the grief process and techniques for supporting and/or counseling those who are dying or bereaved. Individual examination of perceptions and emotions about death, experiences of the grief process, and unresolved grief in order to confront emotions involved when working with others. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4713. Assessment and Intervention with Adolescents. Development of practice skills for multi-systems social work with adolescents across diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities. Course topics include trauma (including physical and sexual abuse), depression and suicidality, substance use, pregnancy and parenting, community and gang-related violence, family conflict, and system involvement. Emphasis on culturally responsive engagement, assessment, and intervention using strengths-based and ecological frameworks at the individual, family, and community levels. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: SOWK 3221 and SOWK 3223. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4901. Special Topics. An organized class for the study of a particular area or subject not offered in another scheduled course. May be repeated for credit when the specific topic of investigation varies. One lecture hour a week. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 4903. Special Topics. An organized class for the study of a particular area or subject not offered in another scheduled course. May be repeated for credit when the specific topic of investigation varies. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 4911. Independent Study. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 4913. Independent Study. Credit: Three hours.