Online Master of Social Work Advanced Standing

This advanced clinical social work course builds on the content from required generalist and advanced social work methods, policy, research, theory and field courses. This course is an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and skills in clinical social work practice and assessment. This course examines the underlying theories, symptoms and psychosocial aspects of mental disorders and substance use disorders as applied through the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In addition, the historical, social, cultural, economic and political impacts on the mental health field are investigated and integrated with this review of today’s current diagnostic system. (3 credits)

This course explores complex traumatic stress disorders, the process of recovery and the etiology of healing in contemporary North American culture. The course addresses diagnostic criteria, assessment strategies and evidence-based treatment options for complex traumatic stress disorders across diverse populations and multiple systems, including sexual trauma, war, early childhood trauma and natural disasters. From a social justice perspective, students explore promising practices for creating sanctuaries to promote individuals’ human rights for a sense of safety and wholeness. (3 credits)

This course acknowledges students’ generalist practice and builds on the conceptual base and practice skills of social group work. Emphasizing social work with groups as integrative practice, this course encompasses the continuum from treatment to task-oriented groups. Course content highlights the strengths-oriented values of social group work and its potential for mutual aid and empowerment. Group dynamics and development are assessed with regard to agency, community and cultural contexts. Emphasis on diversity and the use of groups when intervening with oppressed client populations is a unifying course theme. (3 credits)

This course is designed to help students become leaders and managers in a human service organization. The topics covered include defining leadership and management, the differences and similarities between management and supervision, and leading, planning and influencing day-to-day daily activities. Students learn to manage diversity in the workforce, organize people and tasks, strategic planning, fiscal responsibilities and gaining resources, address staff problems and staff turnover, and effectively work with Boards. 

As future leaders and managers, they identify policies and procedures impacting the well-being of staff and clients, the service delivery system and access to social services. Students learn how interprofessional collaboration facilitates engagement with staff, clients and constituencies. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of interprofessional teamwork and communication, recognizing that beneficial outcomes may require interdisciplinary, interprofessional and inter-organizational collaboration. (3 credits)