Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 603 – Strengths-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Credits - 3
Description
This course is open to all MSW students, foundation and specialization year. It is considered a clinical elective for licensing requirements. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and various psychological and behavioral health issues. Psychologists for psychology students develop most CBT training programs. This course is unique because its development is by clinical social workers, specifically for clinical social work students. Classic CBT theory and interventions are adapted and re-framed to provide a strengths-based perspective, considering “person-in-environment” and the effects of trauma on human health and wellness. Upon completing this course, MSW students will have the knowledge and skills to integrate a CBT approach in clinical practice that aligns with social work principles and values and trauma-informed care systems.
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 Objectives
Through the completion of their assignments, students will demonstrate their ability to:
- Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies. (Assessed in weekly Individual Journal Reflection Notes) (EPAs 6a)
- Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance the capacities of clients and constituencies. (Assessed in weekly CBT Worksheets in weeks 2-8). (EPAs 8a)
Assignments
A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:
Readings and Multimedia:
Description: This course will use an array of readings and multimedia to present the important concepts in the various modules. The readings and media resources provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads, the portfolio assignment, and written assignments.
Weekly Discussions:
Discussions are an important part of the learning process in this course. Students are expected to post an initial response to the weekly discussion questions by Saturday, adhering to the requirements outlined in the Discussion Rubric, and to return on at least one additional day of the class week to respond to a minimum of 2 classmates in meaningful and substantive ways. This equates to a minimum of 3 total posts spread over at least two different days. Students are welcome and encouraged to begin posting earlier than Saturday, but Saturday is the latest acceptable day for initial posts
Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments:
Reflection Journals: You will have a reflective book journal due in weeks 1-8. Please refer to these specific learning modules for more information on the reflective journal entries.
Worksheet Activities: Students will complete weekly worksheets from the Mind Over Mood textbook.
Final Reflection Paper: The summative written assignment provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and mastery of strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy strategies by writing an essay that applies a strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy perspective to validate, spur change, and instill hope and resiliency in clients. Please see the learning modules for more information on this assignment.
Grading and Feedback Method: Grading and feedback methods are provided for each assignment. Please refer to the Learning Modules for more information.
Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course Schedule.
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 | Percent of Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement | 1 point | 1% |
| Discussion: Introductions | 1 point | 1% |
| Discussions: Weeks 1-8 | 4 points x 8 weeks = 32 points | 32% |
| Worksheet Activity and Reflection Journal | 8 points x 7 weeks = 56 points | 56% |
| Final Reflection Paper: Week 8 | 10 points | 10% |
| TOTAL | 100 points | 100% |
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
Week 1: May 3 – May 9
Week 2: May 10 – May 16
Week 3: May 17 – May 23
Week 4: May 24 – May 30
Week 5: May 31 – Jun 6
Week 6: Jun 7 – Jun 13
Week 7: Jun 14 – Jun 20
Week 8: Jun 21 – Jun 25
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the dates listed below.
Unless otherwise specified below, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit week. Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 PM Saturday ET, and responses to classmates are due by the end of the week, except for the early discussion due dates noted in Week 8.
Week 1 | Introduction to Strengths-based CBT
Discussions:
- Introductions
- Week 1 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 1 Reflection Journal
Week 2 | Fundamentals of Goal Setting
Discussions:
- Week 2 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 2 Worksheet Activity and Reflection Journal
Week 3 | Situations, Moods, and Thoughts
Discussions:
- Week 3 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 3 Worksheet Activity and Reflection Journal
Week 4 | Thought-records and Cognitive Restructuring
Discussions:
- Week 4 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 4 Worksheet Activity and Reflection Journal
Week 5 | Changing Underlying Assumptions to Create New Thoughts
Discussions:
- Week 5 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 5 Worksheet Activity and Reflection Journal
Week 6 | Using New Core Beliefs to Spur Behavioral Action
Discussions:
- Week 6 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 6 Worksheet Activity and Reflection Journal
Week 7 | Using CBT to Manage Anxiety, Guilt, and Anger
Discussions:
- Week 7 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 7 Worksheet Activity and Reflection Journal
Week 8 | Using CBT Principles to Bolster Individual, Group, and Couples Therapy
Discussions:
- Week 8 Discussion
Assignment:
- Week 8 Final Reflection Paper
Student Resources
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
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.