BSW Required Courses
The curriculum provides the foundation for generalist social work practice in entry-level positions in a wide range of health and social welfare organizations. Please select Curriculum from the menu on the left to learn more about the structure of the BSW program.
HWC 210 Introduction to Social Work
Introduces the student to the field of social work. Provides an overview of the variety of settings in which social workers practice. Describes the knowledge, values, and skills which social workers use in order to help individuals, families, groups, and communities.
1 credit, fall and spring semesters
HWC 300 Introduction to Fields of Practice
This course exposes students to various social service delivery systems. Field visits, reports, guest speakers, lectures, and small group discussion are included. Agencies such as youth development associations, public schools, criminal justice systems, mental health and health systems will be observed. The social worker's role in such agencies, and identification and utilization of community resources are emphasized.
4 credits, spring semester
HWC 301 Practicum Education I
Places students in settings conducive to generalist practice. Prepares students to fulfill social work roles and functions within the social welfare system. Supervision provided by an M.S.W. Students graded S/F. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 306.
Prerequisites: HWC 300 and 305
6 credits, fall semester
HWC 302 Practicum Education II
A continuation of HWC 301. Students will be graded S/F. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 307.
Prerequisites: HWC 300, 301, 305 and 306
6 credits, spring semester
HWC 304 Contemporary Social Justice
This course explores the meaning of social justice and its presentation in our society. Examines the impact of social injustice and discusses the individuals, organizations, and communities who fight to combat the presence of injustice. Provides an understanding of social problems and the plight of populations who do not benefit from a socially just society. Analyzes effective methods utilized to eradicate the sources of oppression and organizational responses that address injustice and bring balance to the equitable experiences of individuals, groups, and communities.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 305 Practice Processes in Social Work I
This course is the first of a three-semester sequence (HWC 305, 306, 307) designed to develop students’ values, knowledge and skill base in order to enable them to work as generalist practitioners in various social work areas of practice. This course focuses on beginning development of social work knowledge, values, and skills in engagement, assessment, and intervention across the spectrum of social work practice. Emphasis is on practice skills in problem/need identification and prioritization, data collection, strength based assessment, goal setting, selection and implementation of appropriate interventions, evaluation and endings. It is organized around the values of respect for the dignity of others, appreciation of cultural differences and diverse lifestyles, belief in the right of self-determination, confidentiality and the right for the client(s) to participate in goal setting and the implementation of action. The course aim is to provide students with an understanding of 1) the ecological perspective in examining the situation; 2) the problem solving process utilized in social work intervention; 3) the strengths perspective in assessment, intervention and evaluation; 4) the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions taking into account human diversity and services to historically oppressed and devalued people; and 5) how the policies of the agency facilitate or hinder the provision of needed services. It will also focus on a beginning development of professional self-assessment and identity. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 300.
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 306 Practice Processes in Social Work II
The School of Social Welfare recognizes that the problems facing individuals with whom social workers are concerned evolve from the existence, nature and impact of oppression. This belief acknowledges that many human problems reflect the workings of social systems, which oppress members of specific groups in society. In this course, we will build on the knowledge, values and skills of the processes discussed in HWC 305. Students will further their knowledge of structural oppression and develop greater understanding of their roles as change agents and methods used across the micro-mezzo-macro levels of practice. Students will further develop their application of: 1) needs and strengths assessment; 2) problem identification and definition; 3) direction planning; 4) collaborative goal determination; 5) information gathering/investigation; 6) implementation; and 7) assessment and evaluation. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 301 and HWC 315.
Prerequisites: HWC 300 and 305
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 307 Practice Processes in Social Work III
This course builds on the generalist foundation of social work practice courses, HWC 305 and HWC 306 and continues the development of the student’s professional identity for work in the various social welfare fields of practice. It will emphasize the generalist social work approach in working across the micro-mezzo-macro levels of practice, as well as explore the nature and application of a variety of interventive modalities. It will provide knowledge and skills in areas of generalist social work practice, within the framework of social work values, a strengths perspective and the School’s mission of empowerment, valuing diversity, overcoming oppression and striving for social justice. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 302 and HWC 316. Prerequisites: HWC 301 and HWC 306.
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 308 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Introduces a framework for understanding how individuals and families grow, develop and change within their social environment. Interpersonal, intrapersonal and socio-structural theories and their impact on special populations, especially groups that have been historically oppressed, devalued and alienated in society are critiqued.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 309 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
A continuation of HWC 308. This course emphasizes an understanding of the life course, the role of time, social events, trauma and the developmental process. Social institutions and their impact on people generally oppressed in society and the role of empowerment are examined.
Prerequisite: HWC 308
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 310 The Political Economy of Social Welfare
This course introduces a political economic framework for viewing social welfare in the United States. Basic political economic determinants of social problems, policies and programs are examined. This course focuses on the role of the state, conflict, power, class structure and ideology as they relate to such problems as poverty, inequality, racism and sexism.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 311 Social Welfare Policy, Services and Analysis
This course presents the history and basic concepts underlying the development of social welfare in the United States. Identification and interrelationships of social values and structures, political factors and economic conditions in understanding the evolution of social welfare and the profession of social work are emphasized. Presents an analytical framework which enables students to examine social welfare policy according to a disciplined, systematic process built upon the values of social justice and equality, empowerment and self-determination.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 312 Social Welfare Policy and Institutional Oppression
Builds upon the foundation provided in HWC 311 and expands the student's understanding of the complex interrelationships characterizing American society which result in social injustice, inequality and oppression. Views the policies and programs of the public welfare, health, mental health, housing and criminal justice systems through the lens of five basic sources of oppression in American society—racism, sexism, classism, ageism and heterosexism.
Prerequisite: HWC 311
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 313 Research in Social Work I
This course provides instruction in introductory concepts and methods of social research. Focuses on examining the various methods researchers use to collect data relevant to social work practice, such as survey, experimental design, field research and unobtrusive design.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 314 Research in Social Work II
Explicates data analytic procedures used in analyzing data relevant to social work practice. Examines basic descriptive statistics (e.g., frequencies and percentages, mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation) and bivariate (e.g., Pearson's r, chi-square, t-test) as the major focus of the course.
Prerequisite: HWC 313
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 315 Integrating Seminar I
Provides an opportunity for the integration, within the framework of the mission of the school, of the knowledge, skills and professional values acquired and developed through course work and field education experience. Taken concurrently with 301 and 306.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 316 Integrating Seminar II
Builds on HWC 315. Taken concurrently with 302 and 307.
Prerequisite: HWC 315
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 396 Community Learning and Professional Preparation I: Junior Year
This 1-credit required course will provide foundational knowledge, values and skills to prepare the student as a social work professional. Topics covered in this course include professional pathways, areas of practice, advocacy and communication skills, and other topics specific to the students’ social work education. Attendance is required at two full-day events at the Stony Brook campus per academic year. Dates will be posted at the beginning of the Fall term.
HWC 397: Community Learning and Professional Preparation II: Senior Year
This 1-credit required course will provide foundational knowledge, values and skills to prepare the BSW Senior as a Social Work professional for entry to the job market and MSW degree programs. Topics covered in this course include professional pathways, advocacy and communication skills, and other topics specific to the students’ social work education. Attendance is required at two full-day events and designated workshops at the Stony Brook campus per academic year. Dates will be posted at the beginning of the Fall term.
