Syllabus

Doctorate in Social Work

DSW 805 – Ethical Technology Use in Social Work Practice and Leadership (Spring 2026)

Credits - 3

Description

This course examines the use of technology in social work practice and leadership, emphasizing the integration of digital tools to enhance client services and organizational efficiency, in an ethical manner. Emerging technologies, digital communication, and data management strategies in the context of ethical decision-making and interprofessional practice will be explored.

Materials

Current scholarly research literature, relevant book chapters (online) will be provided for each week’s learning materials.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

  • Investigate the history and the role of technology in the professional practice arena. ( EPAS 4,5)
  • Demonstrate ethical decision-making when using technology in clinical and leadership social work roles. (EPAS 1, 5, 7)
  • Assess technology platforms used in social work practice and their influence on current practice needs. (EPAS 4,6)
  • Examine the application and ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence in social work practice. (EPAS 1,8)
  • Discuss the importance of digital security, protecting PHI and HIPAA compliance in their social work practice settings. (EPAS 1).
  • Evaluate personal self-care strategies related to the transition to telehealth services. ( EPAS 1)
  • Develop and demonstrate policy with use of technology in the social work practice arena that addresses agency communication, confidential information , treatment practices and administrative leadership . (EPAS 2,5,9)
  • Identify how social media influences social work practice. (EPAS 1,5, 8)
  • Identify potential sources of bias as it pertains to culture, race, diversity and equality.(EPAS 3)

Assignments

Academic Engagement Quiz

A brief quiz to affirm understanding of course structure and expectations.

Discussion Activities

This course uses a variety of discussion formats to build community and deepen engagement with course material. 

  • Perusall Annotation Discussions 

    Close-reading activities using Perusall. Students annotate assigned texts and respond to peers within the platform.

  • Group Video Discussions 

    Structured small-group discussions recorded via video, focusing on applied social work scenarios or simulations.

  • Standard Written Discussion 

    A traditional written discussion board with prompts focused on course content or ethical issues.

Reflective Journals

  • Students reflect on their learning journey throughout the course

Agency Interview Paper 

  • Students conduct a series of interviews at an agency focused on Technology

Policy Presentation 

  •  Students create a multimedia presentation analyzing technology use and policy at an agency and provide a recommendation for policy update/ creation.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentPoint ValuePercentage Value
Discussions & Perusall Annotations3 points(10 DQs) (33 points) 33%
Introductions1 Point1%
Academic Engagement Quiz1 Point1%
Reflective journals 3 points x 5 RJs (15 points)15%
Agency Interview Paper 20 points 20%
Policy Presentation 30 points 30%
Totals100 Points100%

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 Dates: January 14 – March 29

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
Spring Break Monday – Sunday
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday

Week 1: The History of Technology in Social Work Practice

  • Quiz: Acknowledgment of Academic Engagement

  • Discussions:

    • Week 1 Discussion: Introductions

    • Week 1 Perusall Annotation

  • Assignment: Week 1 Reflective Journal


Week 2: The History of Artificial Intelligence

  • Discussion: Week 2 Perusall Annotation

  • Assignment: Week 2 Reflective Journal


Week 3: Digital Security and HIPAA Compliance

  • Discussion: Week 3 Perusall Annotation

  • Assignment: Week 3 Reflective Journal


Week 4: The Ethical Use of Technology in Social Work Practice

  • Discussion: Week 4 Video Discussion

  • Assignment: Week 4 Reflective Journal


Week 5: Ethical Use of Technology in Social Work Leadership

  • Discussion: Week 5 Perusall Annotation

  • Assignment: Week 5 Reflective Journal: Diversity, Social Work and AI


Week 6: Types of Technology Platforms

  • Discussion: Week 6 Perusall Annotation


Week 7: Types of Technology Platforms – Part II

  • Discussion: Week 7 Telehealth Interactive Scenario and Group Discussion

  • Assignment: Week 7 Agency Interview Assignment


Week 8: Artificial Intelligence in Social Work Practice and Leadership

  • Discussions:

    • AI Supervision Roleplay & Discussion

    • Week 8 Discussion – Presentation Outline


Week 9: Effects of Social Media, Digital Health and Social Work Practice

  • Discussions:

    • Week 9 Discussion: Is it ethical to use AI as your source of treatment?

    • Policy Presentation (Optional Peer Board)

  • Assignment: Week 9 Policy Presentation


Week 10: Integrating Technology Use in the Community

  • Discussion: DSW 805 Final Reflection: Course Learning Objectives Self-Assessment

  • Discussion: Week 10 Perusall Annotation

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:

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 Online Student 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:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. 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.