Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 552 Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I – Spring A 2025
Credits - 3
Description
This is the first of two Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice courses, both courses follow a similar format offering students an intense experiential learning experience in some of today’s most popular and effective clinical interventions with children, adults, and families.
This course emphasizes the application of strengths-based and person-centered interventions with a focus on the specific skills and behaviors associated with relational clinical social work. The importance of the therapeutic alliance and the critical role of client feedback are emphasized and reinforced throughout the course.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
School of Social Work Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
- Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Course Outcomes
Through the completion of their assignments, students will:
- Demonstrate advanced social work knowledge and practice skills within the context of the NASW Code of Ethics EPAS 1,3
Method of Evaluation: Discussion Questions, Reflective Journals
- Apply social work practice skills inclusive of anti-racism, social and economic justice and the core competence for practice with diverse groups. EPAS 2,3
Method of Evaluation: Discussion Questions, Reflective Journals
- Apply, practice and evaluate evidenced-based social work interventions with children, adolescents and individuals EPAS 7, 8
Method of Evaluation: Practice Video Assignments and Progress notes (2)
- Complete a Mental Status Examination. EPAS 7
Method of Evaluation: Mental Status Examination assignment
Assignments
Discussions (EPAS 1, 7, 8)
Discussions will help you dive deeper into the modalities presented throughout this course and learn as a community with your fellow students. You are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Some discussions offer the opportunity to submit video responses.
Practice Video and Progress Notes (EPAS 7, 8)
There will be two opportunities to work with a classmate to practice social work skills. This is a video assignment where you will pose alternatively as a social worker, and as a client, to practice and help your peer(s) practice social work skills.
Mental Status Evaluation (EPAS 7)
You will read about and practice writing a Mental Status Evaluation. Examples are provided within the course.
Reflective Journals (EPAS 1, 2, 3)
These journal assignments give you an opportunity to reflect more deeply on your readings and your own experiences.
Grading Policy
The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignments | Points |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement | 1 |
| Introduction Video | 2 |
| Discussions (13 x 3 points) | 39 |
| Reflective Journals (2 points each) | 8 |
| Practice Video and Progress Note #1 | 20 |
| Practice Video and Progress Note #2 | 20 |
| Mental Status Evaluation | 10 |
| Total | 100 points |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Weeks
Course weeks run from 12:00 AM ET on Wednesday through 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.
ALL TIMES ARE IN THE EASTERN STANDARD TIME ZONE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Week 1: Jan 15 – Jan 21
Week 2: Jan 22 – Jan 28
Week 3: Jan 29 – Feb 4
Week 4: Feb 5 – Feb 11
Week 5: Feb 12 – Feb 18
Week 6: Feb 19 – Feb 25
Week 7: Feb 26 – Mar 4
Week 8: Mar 5 – Mar 9
Week 1: Beginning the therapeutic relationship with children and adolescents
Required Readings and Multimedia listed in course
Discussions:
- Introduction Video
- How will you begin?
- What do you bring to the relationship?
- Practice Video Assignment planning
Week 2: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Child Parent Psychotherapy
Required Readings and Multimedia
Discussions
- Comparison of Two Treatment Modalities
- Ethical Practice with Children and Teens
Reflective Journal
Week 3: Creative Therapies and SPARCS
Required Readings and Multimedia
Discussions
- Comparison of Two Treatment Modalities
- Beginning the Treatment Process
Week 4: Play Therapy and TF-CBT
Required Readings and Multimedia
Discussions
- Comparison of Two Treatment Modalities
Assignment
- Practice Video and Progress Note #1
Reflective Journal
Week 5: Adults – Motivational Interviewing and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Required Readings and Multimedia
Discussions
- Using MI in Social Work Practice
- ACT Therapy
Reflective Journal
Week 6: Problem-solving in Solution-Focused Brief therapy & Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Required Readings and Multimedia
Discussions
- Comparison of two treatment modalities
Assignment
- Mental Status Examination
Reflective Journal
Week 7: Client Centered Therapy & Experiential/ Humanistic Theory
Required Readings and Multimedia
Discussions
- Comparison of Two Treatment Modalities
Assignment
- Practice Video and Progress Note #2
Week 8: REBT, EMDR, and DBT
Required Readings and Multimedia
Discussions
- Comparison of Treatment Modalities Part 1
- Comparison of Treatment Modalities Part 2
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Essential Academic and Technical Standards
Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Confidentiality Statement
Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.