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Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 627 – Psychopharmacology

Credits - 3

Description

This course examines concepts in psycho-pharmacology, neurophysiology, psychoactive drug classification. Physiological, and psycho-logical aspects of psychopharmacological agents used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders are presented. Psychopharmacology with the geriatric population is explored. The parts of the brain affected by alcohol, marijuana, opiates, cocaine, and other street drugs are discussed.

Materials

Required Materials: 

  • Patterson, J., Griffith, J.L., & Edwards, T.M. (2021). The therapist’s guide to psychopharmacology: Working with patients, families, and physicians to optimize care, 3rd ed. The Guilford Press.
  • Preston, J., Moore, B., & Johnson, J. (2024). Clinical psychopharmacology made ridiculously simple, 10th ed. MedMaster ISBN:978-1-935660-74-3

Optional readings:

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. Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
  2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
  3. Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
  4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  5. Engage in policy practice.
  6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

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 & 5)
  2. Engage in culturally informed relationship-building respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. (EPAS Competency 2)
  3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. (EPAS Competencies 7, 8, & 9)
  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 3, 5, & 6)
  6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research and evaluation applied to clinical and community practices. (EPAS Competencies 4, 8 & 9)
  7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. (EPAS Competency 6)

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and describe the historical and current ambiguities and social disparities surrounding social work roles and effective collaboration with clients, families, and other health professionals as it relates to medication management. Program outcomes 1 & 2, EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
  2. Describe the concepts of the basic principles of neurotransmission, drug action, psychopharma kinetics, and the specific medication used with definitive psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses. Program outcomes 4 & 6, EPAS Competencies 1&4
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of medication education programs, techniques of medication monitoring, ethical/legal dimensions of medication compliance/refusal, and the usefulness of applying problem-solving and social skills training to medication-related issues. Program outcomes 4 & 5, EPAS Competencies 1
  4. Gain knowledge of outcome evaluations, recommendations, current controversies, and future directions in the field of psychopharmacology. Program outcome 6, EPAS Competencies 4 & 5

Students can expect to learn more about these outcomes through the required learning materials including readings, videos, lectures with slides, and transcripts. These outcomes will be evaluated via full-class discussions, the Psychotropic Medication Forum, journal entries, the Interview Reaction Paper, and the Self-Examination Paper.

Assignments

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

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

This course will use an array of readings and videos to present the important concepts in the various modules. The readings and multimedia provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads and written assignments.

Discussions

An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each module. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner.

Written Assignments

Writing assignments for this course include 2 papers, reflection journal entries, and several weekly submissions to the Psychotropic Medication Forum.

The Self-Examination paper provides an opportunity for considering and commenting on the impact that pharmacology has had on the life of the student in order to foster an awareness of the role that pharmacology plays not only on the lives of our clients but on our lives as well.

The Interview Reaction Paper involves dialoguing with health professionals, both social workers and non-social work professionals, about their experiences with medication and compliance. For this assignment, you may take notes during the interviews to assist you in finalizing your assignment.

The reflective journals will occur in several weeks in the course and provide a prompt for you to reflect upon a specific topic for that week. These will only be viewed by your faculty instructor.

Grading and Feedback Method

Grading and feedback methods are listed with each specific assignment. Please refer to the course for more information.

Weekly Grading and Feedback 

The course facilitator will return assignments and other grading items (discussion boards, participation, etc.) to students within three days of the assignment due date. The course facilitator will provide weekly feedback about participation and performance no later than four days after the learning module closes. 

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

AssignmentPoint ValuePercentage of Final Grade
Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement 1 point1%
Weekly Discussions40 points (5 points * 8 discussions)40%
Journal Entries15 points (3 points * 5 entries)15%
Psychotropic Medication Forum10 points (2 points * 5 posts)10%
Self-Examination Paper14 points14%
Interview Reaction Paper20 points20%
Total:100 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: 

Week 1: Oct 30 – Nov 5
Week 2: Nov 6 – Nov 12
Week 3: Nov 13 – Nov 19
Week 4: Nov 20 – Nov 26
Week 5: Nov 27 – Dec 3
Week 6: Dec 4 – Dec 10
Week 7: Dec 11 – Dec 17
Week 8: Dec 18 – Dec 22

All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the dates listed below. 

All initial discussion posts are to be submitted by Saturday 11:59 PM ET for all except last week (in Week 8, your initial post is due by Friday 11:59 PM ET); all responses are due by the end of the course week. Active participation is encouraged.

MODULE 1

Orientation to the Course and History and Overview of Social Work Roles in Psychopharmacology

  • Readings:
    • Glick, I. D. (2023). A Short History of the Field of Psychopharmacology and Its Effects on Psychopharmacology Practice. Psychiatric Annals, 53(7), 305–309.
      Sepulveda, V., Piazza, N. J., Devlin, M., Ritchie, M. H., Salyers, K., & Tucker-Gail, K. (2016). Psychopharmacology in counseling, psychology, and social work education: An interdisciplinary history and implications for professional counselors. Wisconsin Counseling Journal, 29, 35–48.
  • Multimedia: Insel, T. Toward a New Understanding of Mental Illness
  • Discussions:
    • Introductions
    • What is the history of psychopharmacology? (EPAS 1) 
  • Assignments: None due this week; Introductions to Reflective Journal, Self-Examination Paper, & Interview Reaction Paper

MODULE 2

Basic Psychopharmacology – Neurotransmission, Drug Action, Psycho Pharmacodynamics and Psycho Pharmacokinetics

  • Readings:
    • Preston & Johnson, Chapter 1
    • Patterson, J., Griffith, J. L., & Edwards, T. M. (2021). The therapist’s guide to psychopharmacology: Working with patients, families, and physicians to optimize care, 3rd ed. The Guilford Press.
      • Section one Chapter 1 & 2.
    • Wegmann, J. (2021). Psychopharmacology: Straight talk on mental health medications (Fourth edition). PESI Publishing.
      • Chapter 1
  • Multimedia:
    • Dopamine Jackpot! Sapolsky on the Science of Pleasure 
    • What are neurotransmitters? Queensland Brain Institute
  • Discussions:
    • What is the basis of psychopharmacology? (EPAS 1 & 4)
  • Assignments:
    • Self-Examination Paper (EPAS 2 & 3)
    • Introduction to Psychotropic Medication Forum
      • Sign-up sheet made available
    • Reminder: Interview Reaction Paper – Continue Working

MODULE 3

Psychotic Disorders & Antipsychotic Medications

  • Readings:
    • Preston & Johnson, Chapter 5
    • Patterson, J., Griffith, J. L., & Edwards, T. M. (2021). The therapist’s guide to psychopharmacology: Working with patients, families, and physicians to optimize care, 3rd ed. The Guilford Press.
      • Section two Chapter 6.
    • Harrow, M., Jobe, T. H., & Tong, L. (2022). Twenty-year effects of antipsychotics in schizophrenia and affective psychotic disorders. Psychological Medicine, 52(13), 2681-2691–2691.
    • Hui, C. L. M., Lam, B. S. T., Lee, E. H. M., Chan, S. K. W., Chang, W. C., Suen, Y. N., & Chen, E. Y. H. (2020). Perspective on medication decisions following remission from first-episode psychosis. Schizophrenia Research, 225, 82–89.
    • Zhang, S., Smith, D. C., & Tabb, K. M. (2018). Adolescent depression and the use of services and psychotropic medications in relation to family structure and race/ethnicity. Children and Youth Services Review, 94, 636–643.
  • Discussions: 
    • How do psychotropic medications address symptoms of psychosis? (EPAS 1 & 4)
    • Psychotropic Medication Forum: Anti-Psychotic Medications (EPAS 1 & 4)
  • Assignments: 
    • Reflective Journal (EPAS 1 & 3)
    • Reminder: Interview Reaction Paper – Continue Working

MODULE 4

Antidepressant and Mood Stabilizing Medication used for Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

  • Readings:
    • Preston & Johnson
      • Chapters 2-3, Appendix B
    • Patterson, J., Griffith, J. L., & Edwards, T. M. (2021). The therapist’s guide to psychopharmacology: Working with patients, families, and physicians to optimize care, 3rd ed. The Guilford Press.
      • Section Two Chapters 3 & 4
    • Dean, J., & Keshavan, M. (2017). The neurobiology of depression: An integrated view. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 27; 101-111.
    • Andre, W. (2020). Exploring factors influencing Haitian families’ participation in mental health care in miami-dade and broward counties.
  • Multimedia:
    • Stanford’s Sapolsky on Depression in US 
    • The Science of Depression 
  • Discussions:
    • How does psychopharmacology address symptoms of depression? (EPAS 1 & 4)
    • Psychotropic Medication Forum: Anti-Depressants and/or Mood Stabilizers (EPAS 1 & 4)
    •  
  • Assignments: 
    • Reflective Journal (EPAS 1, 2, & 3)
    • Reminder: Interview Reaction Paper – Continue Working

MODULE 5

Anxiety Disorders & Anti-Anxiety Medications

  • Readings:
    • Preston & Johnson, Chapter 4
    • Patterson, J., Griffith, J. L., & Edwards, T. M. (2021). The therapist’s guide to psychopharmacology: Working with patients, families, and physicians to optimize care, 3rd ed. The Guilford Press.
      • Section two Chapter 5
    • Marazziti, D., Mucci, F., Avella, M. T., Palagini, L., Simoncini, M., & Dell, O. L. (2021). The increasing challenge of the possible impact of ethnicity on psychopharmacology. CNS Spectrums, 26(3), 222–231.
  • Multimedia:
    • Stress: Portrait of a Killer
    • NIMH Mental Health Medications – Anti-Anxiety Medications
  • Discussions:
    • How does psychopharmacology address symptoms of anxiety? (EPAS 1 & 4)
    • Psychotropic Medication Forum: Anti-Anxiety Medication (EPAS 2 & 3)
    •  
  • Assignments: 
    • Reflective Journal (EPAS 1, 3, & 4)
    • Reminder: Interview Reaction Paper – Continue Working

MODULE 6

Psychopharmacology for Children/Adolescents, Pregnant Women and the Elderly

  • Readings:
    • Preston & Johnson, Chapter 6. pp. 52-53
    • Patterson, J., Griffith, J. L., & Edwards, T. M. (2021). The therapist’s guide to psychopharmacology: Working with patients, families, and physicians to optimize care, 3rd ed. The Guilford Press.
      • Section Four. Chapter 17
    • Zhang, S., Cain, D. S., & Liao, M. (2021). Racial/Ethnic disparities in the decision points of mental health service use and psychotropic medication receipt among depressed youth. Youth & Society, 53(4), 610-635.
    • Balaram, K., & Balachandran, S. (2022). Psychopharmacology in the elderly: Why does age matter? Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 45(4), 735–744.
    • Teoh, S. W. K., Lebedevs, T., Nguyen, T., Frayne, J., & Donn, K. (2023). The patterns of antipsychotic use for pregnant women over a 16-year timeframe in an Australian principal referral and specialist women and newborn hospital. Psychiatric Quarterly, 94(1), 23–32.
    • DEA Drug Scheduling
    • Controlled Substance Schedules – DEA Diversion
  • Discussions:
    • What is the role of the social worker in assisting persons using psychopharmacology treatment? (EPAS 1 & 7)
    • Psychotropic Medication Forum: Stimulants (EPAS 1 & 4)
  • Assignments: 
    • Reflective Journal (EPAS 1, 2, &3)
    • Reminder: Interview Reaction Paper – Continue Working

MODULE 7

Unconventional and Complementary Treatment Alternatives for Mental Health Disorders.

  • Readings:
    • Preston & Johnson
      • Chapter 7.
    • Feduccia, A. A., & Mithoefer, M. C. (2018). MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms? Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 84(Pt A), 221-228. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.03.003
    • Philipps, D. (2018). Ecstasy as a remedy for PTSD? You probably have some questions. The New York Times.
    • Villines, Z. (2018, July 27,). CBD oil: Definition, effects on anxiety, and considerations. Medical News Today.
    • Cameron, L. P., Nazarian, A., & Olson, D. E. (2020). Psychedelic microdosing: Prevalence and subjective effects. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 52(2), 113-122.
  • Discussions:
    • What are unconventional treatments and complementary alternatives to psychotropic medications? (EPAS 1 & 4)
    • Psychotropic Medication Forum: Complementary Alternatives (EPAS 4 & 5)
  • Assignments:
    • Interview Reaction Paper (EPAS 1-5 & 7)

MODULE 8

Course Reflection (short week)

  • Readings:
    • CMS.gov (n.d.) Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare.
    • CMS.gov (2023, Aug 21) CMS issues draft guidance on new program to allow people with Medicare to pay out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in monthly payments.
    • Findley, P. A., Isralowitz, R., & Reznik, A. (2022). Graduate social work students’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about medical marijuana. Journal of Social Work Education, 58(4), 693–701.
    • Gavulic, K. A., & Dusetzina, S. B. (2021). Prescription drug priorities under the Biden administration. Journal of Health Politics, Policy & Law, 46(4), 599–609.
    • Romm, T. (2023, August 18). U.S eyes battle with drug giants over 10 costly medications for seniors. The Washington Post.
    • Sebastian, T. (2017, Dec.) Integrating care: connecting medical and behavior care. TEDx
    • Benzinga.com (2021, July 30). Are psychedelics legal in the US? Where are they decriminalized? A deep dive into the legal status of Psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, Ketamine and more.
  • Discussions:
    • What is the role of a social worker and psychopharmacology? (EPAS 1)
  • Assignments: 
    • Reflective Journal (EPAS 1 & 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:

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 Online Student 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:

  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.