Curriculum

The curriculum of the Social Work Program at Mount Vernon Nazarene Unversity provides the knowledge, skills, values, and ethical foundation that a social worker must acquire and internalize for competent, effective professional practice. Integrating person-in-environment, strengths, empowerment, and systems perspectives with an evidence-based practice model, a graduate is prepared for generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Field education is an essential component of the curriculum, and students must complete a minimum of 400 hours of supervised social work practice in a professional agency. Field experience helps students improve their skills and apply classroom content in actual on-the-job experiences.

Course List:

Semester One		Credits	Weeks
SWK3103	Professional Development and Research Skills	3	5
ABT3003	Computer Literacy for Managers	3	5
SWK3063	Human Behavior & the Social Environment I	3	8
SWK3013	Social Work Micropractice	3	8
BIB3033	Foundations of a Biblical Worldview	3	5
		15	31
Semester Two		Credits	Weeks
SWK3073	Human Behavior & the Social Environment II	3	8
SWK3023	Social Work Mezzopractice	3	8
MAT2063	Introduction to Statistics	3	6
SWK3003	Social Science Research Methods	3	8
		12	30
Semester Three		Credits	Weeks
SWK2073	Social Welfare Systems	3	8
SWK4042	Social Work Seminar I	2	4
SWK4045	Social Work Practicum I	5	13
HIS2053	American Government	3	5
SWK4013	Social Work Macropractice	3	8
		16	21
Semester Four		Credits	Weeks
SWK4052	Social Work Seminar II	2	4
SWK4057	Social Work Practicum II	7	15
SWK4033	Analysis of Social Policy	3	8
		12	15

Course Descriptions:

SWK3103
Professional Development and Research Skills (3)

This course is an orientation course for adult students transitioning to Mount Vernon Nazarene University to complete a degree in social work. Course content includes a review of foundation concepts in social work; use of technology, such as Blackboard; library research skills; basics of the American Psychology Association (APA) writing style; case study application and the use of critical thinking skills in social work education; expectations of the academic environment; introduction to the culture of Mount Vernon Nazarene University; the development of a Christian worldview, including an examination of Christian ethics as found in the Sermon on the Mount, and an understanding of the foundational principles of a Christian university.

ABT3003
Computer Applications for Managers (3)

This course is a study on how to use a microcomputer to assist in decision-making and to boost productivity within the business environment. This course provides an introduction to popular business application software for spreadsheets, database managements, and presentation graphics using the Microsoft Office Suite software.

SWK3063
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3)

A study of a basic framework for creating and organizing empirically based theories and knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. Special emphasis is given to the reciprocal relationships between individual behavior and the larger social environment, social work ethics, and the impact of cultural and human diversity, discrimination, and oppression on the individual's ability to reach or maintain optimal health and well-being.

SWK3013
Social Work Micropractice (3)

A study of empirically-based knowledge, skills, values, and ethics required for generalist social work practice with individuals.

BIB3033
Foundations of a Biblical Worldview (3)

A foundational study of the Bible and a biblical understanding of the world. Special emphasis is given to the Bible, theology, biblical interpretation and worldview with a view toward contemporary issues and personal applications.

SWK3073
Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3)

A study of a basic framework for creating and organizing empirically based theories and knowledge of human behavior and the social environment in order to understand family, group, organizational, and community systems. Special emphasis is given to family systems, the impact of cultural and human diversity, discrimination, and oppression on the family’s ability to reach or maintain optimal health and well-being. Prerequisite: SWK3063 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I.

SWK3023
Social Work Mezzopractice (3)

A study of the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics required for generalist social work practice with families and groups. Prerequisite: SWK3013 Social Work Micropractice.

MAT2063
Introduction to Statistics (3)

A study of basic descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on applications in business, biology, and social sciences. Prerequisite: A grade of C- in MAT0093, or an ACT mathematics score of 19 or higher, or an SAT mathematics score of 500 or higher.

SWK3003
Social Science Research Methods (3)

A study of empirically-based concepts and methods used in social work for research in community needs, intervention, and program effectiveness. Emphasis is given to both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. Prerequisites: SOC1013 Introduction to Sociology and MAT 2063 Introduction to Statistics.

SWK2073
Social Welfare Systems (3)

A study of the social welfare system as it responds in social responsibility and justice to disadvantaged segments of society from historical, philosophical, and institutional perspectives.

SWK4042
Social Work Seminar I (2)

A forum to integrate empirically based social work theory and field practice. Special emphasis is given to the professional development of the student as a generalist social work practitioner and the licensure application process. Prerequisites: Admission to the practicum experience, SWK3013 Social Work Micropractice and SWK3023 Social Work Mezzopractice. Corequisite: SWK4045 Social Work Practicum I.

SWK4045
Social Work Practicum I (5)

A supervised field experience of 165 hours in a community agency applying the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics of generalist social work practice. Prerequisites: Admission to the practicum experience, SWK3013 Social Work Micropractice and SWK3023 Social Work Mezzopractice. Corequisite: SWK4042 Social Work Seminar I.

HIS2053
American Government (3)

An introduction to the structure and workings of the American national government with studies in selected current issues.

SWK4013
Social Work Macropractice (3)

A study of empirically-based knowledge, values, ethics, and skills of generalist social work practice with organizations and communities. Prerequisite: SWK3023 Social Work Mezzopractice.

SWK4052
Social Work Seminar II (2)

A forum to integrate empirically based social work knowledge, skills, and values and field practice. Special emphasis is given to processing professional development issues, internalizing a professional identity as a social worker, and job preparation and placement. Prerequisites: Admission to the practicum experience, SWK4013 Social Work Macropractice, and SWK4042 Social Work Seminar I. Corequisite: SWK4057 Social Work Practicum II.

SWK4057
Social Work Practicum II (7)

A supervised field experience of 235 hours in a community agency applying the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics of generalist social work practice. Prerequisites: Admission to the practicum experience, SWK4013 Social Work Macropractice, and SWK 4045 Social Work Practicum I. Corequisite: SWK4052 Social Work Seminar II.

SWK4033
Analysis of Social Policy (3)

A study of the integration of federal, state, and local social policy and generalist social work practice. Special emphasis is given to frameworks for influencing, formulating, analyzing, and implementing social policy, especially as social policy impacts populations-at-risk. Prerequisite: HIS2053 American Government, SWK2073 Social Welfare Systems, and SWK4013 Social Work Macropractice.

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