University of Hawai`i @ Mānoa
Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work
Master of Social Work Degree
Distance Education Option
for
Neighbor Island Residents
MSW Courses
Required courses are offered one semester only each academic year. Elective courses are not necessarily offered annually. The following is a listing of courses that comprise the Distance Education MSW Degree Option. Required courses are listed in green. Courses that comprise the Advanced Standing curriculum are color-coded in red. Courses that relate to the thesis option are listed in blue. Full-program MSW students (i.e., 3-year plan) will complete three electives in the Children & Families Concentration, not listed below. Advanced Standing MSW students (who hold an accredited BSW degree) will complete two electives in the Children & Families Concentration, not listed below.
SW 606 Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)
This beginning practice course introduces students to the basic processes of social work and the roles and skills needed for generalist practice. Relevant theories of social work practice with individuals are explored for their efficacy with various problems and for their applicability to practice with various ethnocultures, social classes, and oppressed populations. Interviewing and interpersonal skill development are incorporated. Pre: admission to MSW program.
SW 607 Social Work Practice with Families and Groups (3)
This practice course builds upon the generalist framework and foundation content presented in 606. Special emphasis is given on models for assessment, intervention, and evaluation of practice with families and groups. Relevant theories of groups and the principles of group dynamics and group work methods are examined in regard to task, therapeutic, psycho-educational, and social development groups. Family content includes structural, behavioral, communication/experiential, and culturally-specific theories of intervention. Pre: 606.
SW 630 Social Welfare Policy and Services (3)
Examines in a historical and comparative framework the economic, social, political, organizational, and administrative factors influencing the development, formulation, and implementation of social welfare policies in the U.S. The course provides opportunity for the application of various models of social policy analysis in major areas of social welfare programming and service delivery. Pre: graduate standing, or consent.
SW 631 Social Work Practice in Communities and Organizations (3)
Community conceptualization; organized roles of developer, enabler, broker, mediator, and advocate; diagnostic and problem-solving technology; the special characteristics of the social worker as community organizer; matrix of structural objectives; sources and use of power; how to build an organization; and interorganizational negotiation. Pre: 606, graduate standing, and consent.
SW 640 Introduction to Scientific Methods and Principles in Social Work (3)
Understanding and interpreting results of nomothetic and idiographic research; design principles and statistical analyses and their relationship to practices; use of published research. Pre: graduate standing.
SW 650/650 Research Designs and Data Analyses for the Evaluation of Practice Effectiveness (3)
Extending the study of scientific methods introduced in 640. Covers the range of empirical research methods and data analytic procedures suitable for knowledge building and practice evaluation at all levels of intervention from case to program. Pre: 640.
SW 659 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3)
An overview of social work’s person-in-environment focus as it applies to human behavior in the context of families, groups, communities, and organizations. Using an ecological perspec-tive, theories and evidence about human behavior are introduced and examined. Pre: graduate standing. Fall only.
SW 660 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3)
This course uses social work’s person-in-environment focus to organize knowledge development about biological, psychological, social, and cultural systems as they are affected by human behavior. It is designed to provide students with an overview of human behavior and healthy and unhealthy development over the life span. Pre: 659. Spring only.
SW 680/680 Topics in Social Welfare: Advanced Standing Integrative Seminar & Training (ASIST) (3)
Current trends in field of social welfare. Recent courses have focused on child abuse and neglect, justice system, sexual assault and family violence, and gerontology. Meets seminar requirement. Pre: graduate standing.
SW 690 Foundation-Year Practicum (3)
Field units are maintained by the school in public and voluntary welfare agencies, as well as in governmental programs. Students receive instruction related to their school experience with social problem situations and an opportunity to see the applicability and to experience the use of concepts and principles in actual practice. Pre: admission to MSW program.
SW 691 Foundation-Year Practicum (3)
Field units are main-tained by the school in public and voluntary welfare agencies, as well as in governmental programs. Students receive instruction related to their school experience with social problem situations and an opportunity to see the applicability and to experience the use of concepts and principles in actual practice. Pre: admission to MSW program, completion of 690.
SW 700 Thesis Research (V)
Independent research under supervision of a thesis committee. Includes formal proposal and defense of finished research.
SW 717/717 Social Work Practice with Children and Families (3)
An advanced practice course for students specializing in social work with children and families. It is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of both theoretical formulations and therapeutic techniques for practice in the field of family and child welfare. Emphasis placed on the development of specialized knowledge and skills for assessment, intervention, and evaluation of a variety of common child and family practice situations. Pre: completion of foundation courses.
SW 718/718 Seminar in Social Work Practice with Children and Families (3)
This seminar is designed for students in the child and family concentration and builds upon past knowledge and skill development in practice classes and in the practicum. Students integrate, demonstrate, and extend earlier learning, acquire new knowledge, and learn and practice new skills. The course is organized around student case presentations in a consultation format. Meets seminar requirement. Pre: 717.
SW 741/741 Review of Research in Social Work (3)
In-depth study of research in a substantive area. Each seminar will be devoted to a particular topic: e.g., foster care of children, effectiveness of social work intervention, etc. Pre: 650.
SW 743 Individual or Group Research Project—Plan B (V)
Independent research (group of two to seven students or by an individual student) undertaken under the sponsorship of a faculty adviser. Elements are selection of a topic related to the practice of social work or knowledge relevant to that practice, utilization of empirical research methodology in collecting and analyzing original data, and preparation of a scholarly paper. Pre: 650.
SW 744 Individual or Group Research Project—Plan B (V)
Same as 743. Pre: 743.
SW 745 Social Work Research Seminar (2)
For students who will be conducting Plan A thesis or Plan B research project. Focus on conceptualizing, designing, and implementing an empirical study, measurement issues, and computer applications. Meets seminar requirement. Pre: 640.
SW 746 Individual or Group Research Project—Plan B (V)
Same as 743.
SW 790/790 Concentration-Year Practicum (V)
Concentration year practicum must coordinate with the student's concentration courses. The practicum provides an opportunity for the student to integrate course work and test out concepts, principles, theories, and alternative approaches in actual practice settings. Pre: 691.
SW 791/791 Concentration-Year Practicum (V)
Same as 790. Pre: completion of 790.
SW 797/797 Social Welfare Policy and Change (3)
This course builds on SW 630 and emphasizes a more thorough and comprehensive examination of major policies, programs, and populations central to a concentration (health, mental health, gerontology, child and family). Students learn a more focused and applied analysis of the relationship between social policy, social policy research, and social work practice, as well as the effects of social policy on the design, structure, and resource management of human service organizations within the student's area of concentration. Pre: completion of foundation courses, Spring only.
