Social Work (SOWK)
SOWK 101 Introduction to Social Work 3 Credit Hour(s)
Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare is a course that gives an overview of the field of social work practice. Topics regarding the ecclesiastical beginnings of the profession, additional historical components, the integration of faith and practice, as well as social work values and ethics will be explored.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 135 Social Work Professional Exploration 3 Credit Hour(s)
Resident Prerequisite: ENGL 102
Social Work Professional Exploration is the study of social work practice and settings of practice. Topics in the course are centered on social work practice in places such as child welfare, schools, domestic violence shelters, hospice, hospitals, mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, and early intervention programs. Interviewing a social worker, touring a social service agency, and developing a community resource database are key components of this course.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 250 Health of the Social Worker 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course emphasizes the personal health and self-care of the social worker.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 260 Chemical Dependency 3 Credit Hour(s)
Resident Prerequisite: ENGL 102
Chemical Dependency is a course that presents an overview of the concepts associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Topics in the course are the various perspectives on treatment and prevention options; each topic is evaluated through a biblical worldview.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 270 Ethics in Professional Helping 3 Credit Hour(s)
Ethics in Professional Helping is the study of values and principles of ethical decision making. Topics in the course are ethical dilemmas, critical thinking, professional code of ethics, and common morality. Each topic is evaluated through a biblical worldview.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 294 BSSW GATE 1 & Approval Process 0 Credit Hour(s)
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires that all social work programs have a gatekeeping process to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the profession of social work and will be a good fit for the program and profession. The BSSW program at Liberty University includes 4 gates. All students must apply for and be approved through all 4 gates to be eligible to graduate from the BSSW program. This SOWK 294 course includes the application process for Gate 1 of the BSSW program. This course is 0 credits and is Pass/Fail. Approval through Gate 1 indicates official acceptance into the BSSW program to pursue.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 300 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 Credit Hour(s)
Human Behavior and the Social Environment is a course that utilizes a life course perspective and additional theoretical perspectives as tools for understanding human behavior and its development across the life span. Particular focus is places on the inter-relatedness of the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects with a "person in the environment" framework.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 325 Social Welfare and Policy 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course studies the historical and contemporary issues surrounding social welfare and policy in the U.S. Particular focus is placed on analyzing, formulating, and advocating for policies that advance social well-being.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 350 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families 3 Credit Hour(s)
Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families is the study of practice from a generalist social work point of view. Particular emphasis is placed on the practice behaviors associated with engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 355 Social Work Practice with Groups 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop an understanding of theories, methods and skills in relation to generalist practice with social work groups. This course also provides the forum for students to gain an understanding of cultural values of individuals and the impact of those values on the group process. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of being a culturally sensitive group leader.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 365 BSSW GATE 2 & Junior Field Enrollment 0 Credit Hour(s)
Prerequisite: PSYC 255 (may be taken concurrently) and (SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3) and (GLST 220 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 300 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 355 (may be taken concurrently)) and (MATH 115 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 116 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 117 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 121 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 122 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 125 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 126 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 128 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 130 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 131 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 201 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 217 (may be taken concurrently)) and SOWK 270 and ENGL 102
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires that all social work programs have a gatekeeping process to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the profession of social work and will be a good fit for the program and profession. The BSSW program at Liberty University includes 4 gates. All students must apply for and be approved through all 4 gates to be eligible to graduate from the BSSW program. This must apply for and be approved through all 4 gates to be eligible to graduate from the BSSW program. This SOWK 365 course includes the application process for Gate 2 and Field Proposal/Enrollment process of the BSSW program. This course is 0 credits and is Pass/Fail. Approval through Gate 2 and completion of the Field Proposal/Enrollment process indicates approval to begin Junior Field Placement (SOWK 370) in the following semester.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 370 Junior Field Experience and Seminar 3-4 Credit Hour(s)
Resident Prerequisite: SOWK 101 and SOWK 120 and SOWK 150 and SOWK 270 and (SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3) and SOWK 300 and SOWK 350 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 355 and (SOWK 365 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 2 with a score of 3) and GLST 220 and PSYC 255 and (MATH 115 or MATH 116 or MATH 117 or MATH 121 or MATH 122 or MATH 125 or MATH 126 or MATH 128 or MATH 130 or MATH 131 or MATH 201 or MATH 217)
Online Prerequisite: Online Prerequisite: SOWK 101 and SOWK 135 and SOWK 270 and (SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3) and SOWK 300 and SOWK 350 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 355 and (SOWK 365 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 2 with a score of 3) and GLST 220 and PSYC 255 and (MATH 115 or MATH 116 or MATH 117 or MATH 121 or MATH 122 or MATH 125 or MATH 126 or MATH 128 or MATH 130 or MATH 131 or MATH 201 or MATH 217)
Junior field experience provides students with the opportunity to develop competency and perform in the role of a social work practitioner under the supervision of an experienced social worker. Students will participate in this experience one 8 hour day per week (or two half-days) over the course of the entire semester in a setting which employs social workers. Students will also meet for two hours weekly in a synchronous seminar to receive support and mentoring from peers and professor and to integrate the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom with the practical experiences in field placement.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 375 Junior Field Seminar 1 Credit Hour(s)
Prerequisite: SOWK 270
Junior Field Seminar is taken in conjunction with Junior Field Experience. Students will meet for one hour weekly to discuss the theoretical and conceptual concepts learned in the classroom with the practical experiences in field placement.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 410 Social Work Macro Practice 3 Credit Hour(s)
Resident Prerequisite: ((SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3) and (SOWK 365 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 2 with a score of 3) and (RSCH 201 or Inquiry Research with a score of 80 or Research Assessment with a score of 80 or Research (prior to 2017-2018) with a score of 80) and SOWK 325 (may be taken concurrently))
This course provides a generalist social work perspective of social work with communities and organizations. Topics include engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation as well as advocacy in regards to social and economic justice.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 425 Social Work in International Settings 3 Credit Hour(s)
Social Work in International Settings is designed to introduce students to the theoretical perspectives, values, and skills associated with contemporary international social work. Social, political, cultural, economic, organizational, religious, and technological advances that affect societal dynamics in various regions of the world will be explored.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 431 Social Work in Mental Health 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course is designed to introduce students to the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for social work practice in mental health settings. Topics will include roles and functions of social workers, diagnoses, and assessment.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 432 Social Work with Aging Adults 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course is designed to introduce students to the knowledge, values, and skills associated with working with an older population of clients. Topics will include the effects of aging on physical, mental, and emotional processes as well as socio-cultural, spiritual, and environmental considerations.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 435 Social Work in the Military 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course is designed to introduce students to the knowledge, values, and skills associated with working with individuals, families, and communities impacted by military operations. Topics will include the effects of multiple deployments, experiencing traumatic events, and military culture.
Offered: Online
SOWK 439 International Social Work Experience 3 Credit Hour(s)
International Social Work Field Experience provides students with the opportunity to participate in international social work practice under the supervision of an experienced social worker.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 450 Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop an understanding of theories, knowledge, values, and skills in relation to generalist practice with diverse populations. This course also provides the forum for students to gain an understanding of cultural values of individuals and the impact of those values on human relationships. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of respecting and valuing diversity.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 452 Religion, Health, and Healthcare 3 Credit Hour(s)
Resident Prerequisite: SOWK 450
In the context of a biblical worldview, this course will explore how best to provide culturally competent holistic care and will prepare social work students to address the cultural and spiritual needs of all clients. Students will be empowered with knowledge and skills to deliver social work services such as improving interpersonal skills of communication, compassion, and empathy. Social workers will learn how to complete a spiritual assessment, develop policies and procedures that decrease barriers to quality healthcare care, application of theoretical models in providing care that includes the body, mind, and spirit. Research-informed and evidence-based practice will include the ability to holistically address religious cultural competency in the development and facilitation of treatment planning and intervention strategies.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 454 Medical Social Work Practice 3 Credit Hour(s)
This practice course will explore the social work profession of medical social work practice within hospitals, clinics, inpatient/outpatient settings, and various healthcare-related services or agencies. Integrating a biblical perspective, course content will include a generalized practice focus and application of research-informed knowledge and evidence-based practice skills as related to direct care with individuals, families, and small groups, health and wellness, U.S. healthcare plans, general assessments, treatment planning, intervention strategies, caregiving supports and addressing accommodations for those who are the most medically vulnerable.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 462 Children and Family Services and Practice 3 Credit Hour(s)
The course explores services, practices, and laws in place to ensure child and adolescent well-being, safety, and permanency. It provides important context regarding recent changes in approach to child protective services, kinship/foster care, adoption, group/residential care, reunification, prevention, church/community engagement, and will address special populations related to mental health, and immigration. Emphasis is placed on practical application through case analyses and advocacy efforts.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 464 Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course equips students with a developmentally and culturally informed approach to social work practice with children and adolescents in family, school, and community. Emphasis is placed on practical application through case analyses to develop assessment and intervention strategies to address challenges related to grief and loss, bullying and school issues, trauma, poverty, substance use, mental health, family issues, and immigration.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 465 BSSW GATE 3 & Senior Field Enrollment 0 Credit Hour(s)
Prerequisite: (PSYC 354 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 325 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 350 and SOWK 370 (may be taken concurrently)) and (SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3 and SOWK 350 and SOWK 365 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 2 with a score of 3) and SOWK 431 (may be taken concurrently)
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires that all social work programs have a gatekeeping process to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the profession of social work and will be a good fit for the program and profession. The BSSW program at Liberty University includes 4 gates. All students must apply for and be approved through all 4 gates to be eligible to graduate from the BSSW program. This SOWK 465 course includes the application process for Gate 3 and Field Proposal/Enrollment process of the BSSW program. This course is 0 credits and is Pass/Fail. Approval through Gate 3 and completion of the Field Proposal/Enrollment process indicates approval to begin Senior Field Placement (SOWK 470).
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 466 Trauma-Informed Interventions with Children and Families 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course equips students for generalist practice with children with skills appropriate for a bachelor's level worker. Students will develop an understanding of trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions with children, strongly emphasizing work in the context of the family with caregivers as partners. Skill development is a significant focus with a required demonstration of competency in assessment and intervention strategies as applied to case studies for children and adolescents with challenges related to family stresses, trauma, abuse or neglect, mental health, and behavioral challenges.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 470 Senior Field Experience and Seminar 9-11 Credit Hour(s)
Resident Prerequisite: (SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3) and (SOWK 365 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 2 with a score of 3) and SOWK 370 and SOWK 410 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 431 and SOWK 450 (may be taken concurrently) and (SOWK 465 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 3 with a score of 3)
Senior Field Experience provides students with the opportunity to develop competency and perform in the role of a social work practitioner under the supervision of an experienced social worker. Students will participate in this experience 4 full (8-hour) days per week over the course of the entire semester in a setting which employs social workers. Students will also meet for two hours weekly in a synchronous seminar to receive support and mentoring from peers and professor and to integrate the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom with the practical experiences in field placement.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 494 BSSW GATE 4 & Comprehensive Exam 0 Credit Hour(s)
Resident Prerequisite: ((SOWK 465 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 3 with a score of 3 and SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3 and SOWK 365 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 2 with a score of 3) or SOWK 470 (may be taken concurrently) and (SOWK 410 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 450 (may be taken concurrently)))
Online Prerequisite: Online Prerequisite: ((SOWK 465 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 3 with a score of 3 and SOWK 294 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 1 with a score of 3 and SOWK 365 or (Retired) Social Work Gate 2 with a score of 3) or (SOWK 470 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 410 (may be taken concurrently) and SOWK 450 (may be taken concurrently)))
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires that all social work programs have a gatekeeping process to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the profession of social work and will be a good fit for the program and profession. The BSSW program at Liberty University includes 4 gates. All students must apply for and be approved through all 4 gates to be eligible to graduate from the BSSW Program. This SOWK 494 course houses the application process for GATE 4 of the BSSW Program. This course is 0 credits and is Pass/Fail. Approval through GATE 4 and successful completion of the comprehensive exam indicates readiness to graduate out of the Social Work Program with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Social Work (BSSW).
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 495 Directed Social Work Research 3 Credit Hour(s)
An independent study agreed upon between the instructor and the student regarding an area of specific research.
Offered: Resident and Online
SOWK 497 Special Topics in Social Work 3 Credit Hour(s)
An in-depth study of a specific aspect of social work practice.
Offered: Resident