Syllabus
DSW 802 Advanced Clinical Theory & Practice (Fall AB 2025)
Credits - 3
Description
This course integrates advanced theoretical concepts with practical skills necessary for effective clinical social work practice. Building upon foundational clinical theories, students will explore advanced frameworks and models relevant to the assessment and treatment of individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan in diverse settings.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
By the end of this course, scholar-practitioners will be able to:
- Scholar-practitioners will interpret the influence and impact advanced theoretical concepts and practice skills have on individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Scholar-practitioners will be able to identify advanced frameworks and models that support anti-oppressive assessment, evaluation, and treatment of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Scholar-practitioners will develop skills to propose change to contemporary clinical practice widely used in their communities.
Assignments
Creative Post
Consider what you currently know about clinical practice. What practices are being widely used, who has access to services, who is excluded from services, and/or what is missing? This assessment is designed to be a critical consideration of where advanced clinical practice stands today in your community.
Reflective Journals
Weekly reflections give you the opportunity to revisit the questions to consider at the beginning of each week. Using the materials and activities from the week, you will reflect on how your thoughts on these questions may have changed.
Group Class Facilitation Project
Each scholar-practitioner will self-select a group to work with, applying a specific lens to clinical practice and curating learning materials to lead the class. Each group will “take over” the class and act as the class facilitators for the week. Your group will be responsible for all the learning materials and activities for the week you are assigned.
Agency Pitch
Create a 5 to 7 minute recorded pitch presentation to your agency, suggesting a change that can be made to further a current practice even more towards anti-oppressive, inclusive, justice-oriented, ethical practice. Choose assessment, treatment, or evaluation to center your discussion. Think about current practice and ask yourself:
-
- Is it justice-oriented?
- Is it anti-racist?
- Is it inclusive and does it honor diversity?
- Is it ethical from an anti-oppressive lens?
- What are the interprofessional implications?
Group Connection
Each week, you will have an opportunity to connect with your group members and work on your group assignments. The group connection will also provide you an opportunity to reflect on your group work with your instructor.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement | 1 point |
| Week 1 Introduction to Instructor | 1 point |
| Week 1 Group Connection Introductions | 3 points |
| Week 1 Creative Assignment | 4 points |
| Week 1 Submit the Group Class Facilitation Slideshow Template | 14 point |
| Weekly Reflection Journals | 20 points (10 at 2 pts each) |
| Group Connection Weeks 2-8 | 21 points (7 at 3 pts each) |
| Class Facilitation Participation - Activities | 12 points (4 at 3 pts each) |
| Agency Pitch Assignment | 14 points |
| Week 10 Agency Pitch Feedback | 10 points |
| 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
Session Dates 8/27/2025 – 10/17/2025
Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Sunday
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday
The first week is a short week, beginning on Wednesday and ending on Sunday. Each week thereafter will start on Monday and end on Sunday.
Week 1: Introduction to Advanced Clinical Practice
Quiz
- Acknowledgment of Academic Engagement
Discussions
- Class Introductions
- Group Introductions
Assignments
- Creative Assignment
- Reflective Journal
Week 2: Dismantling and Challenging Contemporary Clinical Theories and Modalities
Discussions
- Group Connections
- Justice-Centered Facilitators: Upload Class Facilitation Materials
Assignments
- Group Connection
- Reflection Journal
Week 3: Decolonizing Clinical Practice
Discussions
- Group Connection
- Diverse & Inclusive Facilitators: Upload Class Facilitation Materials
Assignments
- Group Connection Status
- Reflective Journal
Week 4: Justice-Centered Clinical Social Work Practice
Required Learning Materials
Resources will be identified by Week 4 Group: Justice-Centered Clinical Social Work Practice.
Assignments
- Will be identified by Week 4 Group: Justice-Centered Clinical Social Work Practice.
- Group Connection Status
- Reflective Journal
Week 5: Diverse & Inclusive Clinical Social Work Practice
Required Learning Materials
Resources will be identified by Week 5 Group: Diverse & Inclusive Clinical Social Work Practice.
Assignments
- Will be identified by Week 5 Group: Diverse & Inclusive Clinical Social Work Practice.
- Group Connection Status
- Reflective Journal
Week 6: Anti-Racist Clinical Social Work Practice
Required Learning Materials
Resources will be identified by Week 6 Group: Anti-Racist Clinical Social Work Practice.
Assignments
- Will be identified by Week 6 Group: Anti-Racist Clinical Social Work Practice.
- Group Connection Status
- Reflective Journal
Week 7: Ethical Clinical Social Work Practice From an Anti-Oppressive Lens
Required Learning Materials
Resources will be identified by Week 7 Group: Ethical Clinical Social Work Practice From an Anti-Oppressive Lens.
Assignments
- Will be identified by Week 7 Group: Ethical Clinical Social Work Practice From an Anti-Oppressive Lens.
- Group Connection Status
- Reflective Journal
Week 8: Stepping into Assessment, Evaluation, and Treatment from a Critical Lens
Discussions
- Group Connection: Agency Pitch Part 1
Assignments
- Reflective Journal
Week 9: Assessment, Evaluation, and Treatment from a Critical Lens Continued
Discussions
- Agency Pitch Part 2: Agency Pitch Visual (share by Sunday of Week 9)
Assignments
- Agency Pitch Assignment
- Reflective Journal
Week 10: Now What?
Discussion
- Give feedback to your peers on their Agency Pitch assignment.
Assignments
- Reflective Journal
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 Tutorial: Find an article
- Video Tutorials: https://library.une.edu/research-help/guides-tutorials/video-tutorials/
- 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
6- to 8-week courses: 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.
10+ -week courses: 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 Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
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.