This online course examines social work practice theories and intervention skills, applicable to practice with survivors of abuse and trauma. An emphasis will also be placed on the application of social work ethics and values when working with survivors of abuse and trauma, particularly as it relates to the management of vicarious trauma.

This course offers a survey of the major mental disorders typically encountered by social workers in clinical practice and other areas of practice such as protective services, family services, and court-related service areas. It is designed to increase the social worker's familiarity with diagnostic classifications, criteria, etiologies, and the epidemiology of disorders and social work treatment for disorders.

This course is designed to prepare the social worker to conduct culturally sensitive structured, semi-structured and observational clinical assessments of adults, children, families and groups. Special attention will be paid to diagnostic assessments, substance use evaluations, lethality assessments, motivational interviewing, and other evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches. Students will learn to develop and implement treatment plans as they relate to the assessment. They will also learn the importance of flexibility in the treatment process.

This course provides the Master's level social work student an opportunity for advanced study of differential diagnostic assessment using the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The course also provides an opportunity for more detailed study of the more common mental disorders seen in social work practice. In conjunction with the Decision Making course it provides an opportunity for advanced study of clinical decision making as it pertains to current mental health assessment.

This course builds on previous content related to clinical decision- making, psychopathology and clinical assessment, and is designed to 1) apply a range of intervention theories to children, adults, families and group, 2) facilitate the student's capacity to conduct a comparative analysis of the approaches across common, conceptual, clinical, cultural and ethical domains, and to provide the forum for a critique of each approach using the latest empirical evidence on efficacy and effectiveness.

This course offers an intensive study of three evidence based practices - one for adult, one for children and one group intervention. It is designed to increase the social worker's familiarity with evidence based practices for social work treatment of mental health disorders.

This guided independent study is a graduate student-directed learning experience, for which faculty provide oversight and direction. Participation in SW 780 requires critical thinking and reflection regarding relevant material, conceptualization of an independent study project and the development of an electronic portfolio which addresses each learning outcome. Students will meet with the course instructor and/or other certificate-seeking students via electronic resources such as Echo 360, Adobe Connect, or Skype.

This advanced level practicum builds on the foundation practicum and foundation level courses, and prepares students to practice as social workers at the advanced level in public and private settings. The advanced generalist practicum focuses on the application of theory, knowledge, and skills, and integrates the social work competencies developed in the advanced curriculum year with practice experience in community-based agencies to address complex needs and problems.