Students will collaborate with faculty members to engage in independent work for 1 credit through an agreed upon pathway. This may include participation in research, scholarship, and/or community engagement.

Department: Social Work

1 Credit Hour
5.333 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
5.333 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Introduction to human delivery systems in the United States with an emphasis on the social work profession, its mission, philosophy, ethics, values, diverse fields, and ethnocultural perspectives to provide a career orientation to the social work profession.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This course provides students the opportunity to integrate theoretical research knowledge in order to participate in an original research project. Specifically, students will be offered hands-on experience in conducting key research activities under the direction of the instructor. Topics covered throughout this course include: hypothesis formulation, operationalization of key concepts, data collection, data processing, analyses of quantitative data, interpretation of results, and guidelines for reporting analyses.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

An introduction to competency-based assessment of psychological disorders, substance use disorders, the ecological perspective on mental health and the bio-psychosocial-spiritual framework for assessment and intervention.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

This course covers emerging trends in cultural responsiveness and adaptation, and the culturally-grounded perspective. Culture is viewed as the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, immigration status, and other identities. This course examines the impact of discrimination, oppression, and economic deprivation on disenfranchised populations and theoretical and historical perspectives on racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination with an emphasis on the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This course will assist students in developing knowledge, values, and skills in the application of theory and practice, including the use of professional communication skills in engagement, assessment, intervention, and termination in work with diverse individuals.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This course continues to build on the series of theory and practice courses to advance knowledge and skills in family social work practice. A focus on specific interventions in the assessment and treatment of family problems within a border context will overlay an examination, from an evidence based practice lens, of family therapy, theory, and family social work practice. Mandatory student participation in simulated family session and case analysis from the student's field placement will provide a practice context to refine critical thinking, assessment, and intervention skills.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Prerequisite(s): (SOWK 5333 w/B or better)

This course expands students' knowledge and practice skills in social work group theory and practice. Students will build upon theory, knowledge and practice skills covered in SW Practice and Theory with Individuals to include group work methods and skills. Students will critically examine how race, culture, gender, class, and stressors influence the group process. Using an evidence-based practice lens, students will expand practice skills and knowledge with clients with diverse challenges and in various professional social work settings with attention given to group work in the group work in the border region.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Prerequisite(s): (SOWK 5331 w/B or better)

The first foundation practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and integrative seminar that integrates knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics, and values in social work practice in the border region.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

The second foundation practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and an integrative seminar that integrates knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics and values in social work practice in the border region.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

The first advanced practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and an integrative seminar that integrates advanced social work knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics and values in the border region setting.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

The second advanced practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and an integrative seminar that integrates advanced social work knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics, and values in the border region setting.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

Examination of the historical evolution of social welfare and the social work profession, with focus on the social policies which compromise the foundation of the welfare state in the United States. Present patterns of social welfare services will also be examined. Emphasis on the historical evolution of contemporary social problems in the borderland region. Oppression, discrimination, justice, immigration issues and policies, and their impact on diverse populations at risk will be explored.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

A continuation of SOWK 5357, this course focuses on the policy formulation and analysis. Special emphasis is placed on public and non-profit agency policies affecting diverse clients and client groups, and on the role of the social worker as policy change agent. the course will include advanced content on policy practice and advocacy with a special focus on the U.S.-Mexico Border region. Course content includes: critical evaluation of the process and outcomes of social welfare development, evaluation, and implementation at local, state, and federal levels.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This graduate level course is designed to provide students with a theoretical base and practical knowledge of scientific research inquires and methods. Specifically, students will be introduced to the study of social research as applied to social work practice.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

An examination of the needs and concerns of the aging person in society from a social/cultural/physiological/emotional perspective and of methods used to address those needs and concerns. Emphasis will be on advocacy, case management, networking, and direct care methods, and their application to Hispanics and other diverse populations in the borderland region.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Students will collaborate with a faculty member to engage in independent work for 3 credits through an agreed-upon pathway. This may include participation in research, scholarship, and/or community engagement.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
3 Other Hours

Students will gain familiarity with the issues and resources available to address issues of individuals and families affiliated with the US military. Formal and informal military structures, including benefits structures, military culture, active duty, reserve and retired military structures will be explored. The history of social work within the military will be examined. Issues members of the military or military families may present to social service workers will be examined. Issues related to discrimination and oppression within the military will be discussed. Ethical concerns that emerge from social work practice with military families will be addressed.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

This course introduces students to the practice of multi-lingual, international border region. Course overview is based on historical perspectives, social development trends, social inequalities, and social work trajectory in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Framed within a strengths-perspective, the course provides advanced knowledge and skills to prepare social workers for macro and leadership roles to serve populations in the social margins, frontiers, and underserved regions in the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

This course builds on the generalist foundation of graduate education to provide advanced knowledge and skills in areas of macro-level practice to prepare practitioners for leadership roles in communities and service organizations. The content is framed within a strengths perspective that recognizes the importance of social work values and the Department of Social Work's mission of promoting social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and community engagement in the multicultural, bi-national region. The course focuses on vulnerability, resilience, homelessness and macro practice.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

The course provides advanced knowledge and skills to prepare social workers for practice within human service organizations. Framed within a strengths perspective that recognizes the importance of social work values and promoting social, race, economic, and environmental justice, students will examine social work roles within organizations, how values and ethics undergird organizational practice, and develop skills in organizational assessment and intervention. Students will develop skills for effective, ethically informed, and culturally responsive organizational practice in the border region.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Prerequisite(s): (SOWK 5333 w/C or better)

An introduction to social work supervision and administration. Emphasis on leadership and oversight of agencies and social work staff, and theory and practice of social work supervision.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This course focuses on specific topics or populations; for example, sociopolitical determinants of health, school social work, rural social work, trabajo social en Espanol (social work in Spanish), trauma-informed social work, and interprofessional education among others. Students may repeat this course if the focus of the course differs.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours