FOUNDATION CURRICULUM [24 CREDITS] The 24-credit Foundation Curriculum provides educational and skills development in the values, concepts, and processes that are the core of social work practice. Coursework in human behavior and the social environment, social work practice, social policy, and research helps students develop a problem-solving framework with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Students also complete a two-semester field practicum, taken two days a week, in a social service placement where, with the help of a field instructor, they engage in carefully supervised and progressively more responsible social work practice. In the second semester, students may take two advanced courses for which the prerequisites are met. For more information please refer to curriculum overviews online (http://www.ssw.umaryland. edu/academics/curriculum_overviews). The goal of the Foundation Curriculum is to provide students with a sound, broad base for future practice in any concentration and specialization. Foundation Curriculum
Credits
SOWK 600 - Social Welfare and Social Policy 3 SOWK 630 - Social Work Practice with Individuals (taken with SOWK 635) 3 SOWK 631 - Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (taken with SOWK 635) 3 SOWK 632 - Social Work Practice with Groups and Families (taken with SOWK 636) 3 SOWK 635 - Foundation Field Practicum I 3 SOWK 636 - Foundation Field Practicum II 3 SOWK 645 - Human Behavior & the Social Environment 3 SOWK 670 - Social Work Research 3
PROGRESSION TO ADVANCED CURRICULUM A student must complete the Foundation Curriculum with a 3.0 grade point average (grade of “B”) to enroll in advanced field practicum. All students are encouraged to communicate with an academic advisor and develop an educational plan in order to meet the academic requirements and complete the program in the prescribed timeframe.
Sample Plans of Study Students can develop a plan of study to complete the program in two, three or four years. Sample plans of study are available below. Academic advising is available to develop a plan. SAMPLE TWO-YEAR PLAN Fall—Year One
Spring—Year One SOWK 600 – Social Welfare and Social Policy or SOWK 670 – Social Work Research SOWK 632 – Social Work Practice with Groups and Families SOWK 636 – Foundation Field Practicum II Two Advanced Courses (for which the prerequisites are met)*
Fall—Year Two
4
3 3 3 3
3
Credits
3 3 3 6
Credits
SWCL 794/SWOA 794 – Advanced Field Practicum I 6 SWCL/SWOA Methods (Concentration/Specialization Requirement) 3 Two Advanced Courses* 6
Spring—Year Two
Credits
SWCL 795/SWOA 795 – Advanced Field Practicum II 6 SWCL/SWOA Methods (Concentration/Specialization Requirement) 3 Two Advanced Courses* 6 *Specializations may require specific courses.
SAMPLE – 2.5 YEAR PLAN (Spring Admit only) Spring—Year One
ADVANCED CURRICULUM [36 CREDITS] Students must select a concentration and specialization for their advanced year of study. Students must take an advanced policy course, an advanced research course, and four methods courses in the same concentration. A methods course within the concentration must be taken each semester a student is in the field. In addition, a course specifically focusing on and requiring a measure of student competence with diversity content is required of every advanced student. The courses that satisfy this requirement will be designated on the class schedules available for each semester. These courses often fulfill other requirements as well. For more information please refer to curriculum overviews online (http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/academics/ curriculum_overviews).
Credits
SOWK 630 – Social Work Practice with Individuals SOWK 631 – Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations SOWK 635 – Foundation Field Practicum I SOWK 645 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment SOWK 600 – Social Welfare and Social Policy or SOWK 670 – Social Work Research
SOWK 645 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment SOWK 600 – Social Welfare and Social Policy or SOWK 670 – Social Work Research OR
Fall—Year One SOWK 630 – Social Work Practice with Individuals SOWK 631 – Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations SOWK 635 – Foundation Field Practicum I SOWK 600 – Social Welfare and Social Policy or SOWK 670 – Social Work Research OR
Credits 3
3
Credits 3 3 3
3