Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 552 Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I – Summer A 2023

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:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

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
Discussions (13 x 3 points)	39
Reflective Journals (2 points each)	10
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