Pittsburg Generalist Year Curriculum
Pittsburg State University and KU have entered into a cooperative MSW program in which students take their first year (foundation year) curriculum from Pittsburg State University's social work program. The foundation year will be delivered in-person on the Pittsburg State University campus. Upon completion of the foundation year, the students will transition to the second year (clinical or macro year) at KU's program, delivered on the Pittsburg State University campus in a blended format. This certificate will allow students to continue their studies with KU and will give students something to show for the work they completed at Pittsburg State University.
Course time for MSW Foundation students: Students working on the MSW Foundation Certificate attend class on Monday and Wednesday afternoons on the Pittsburg State University campus. They also attend practicum 16 hours a week at a community agency under the supervision of a social worker. The Pittsburg State University Field Director works with each student to secure an appropriate practicum placement.
Curriculum
Attend class in-person on Monday and Wednesday on the Pittsburg State University Campus
Fall
SWK-783 Fundamentals of Research in Social Work (3 hours)
Major conceptual tools of the scientific knowledge-building process, including scientific philosophy, methodology, and design. Emphasis on critical analysis, understanding, and consumption of research in the social and behavioral sciences for knowledge-guided practice. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
SWK-701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro (3 hours)
The integration and application of social work knowledge, values, and skills to intervention with an emphasis on assessment within a generalist framework at the micro level. Social work with individuals and families and case management receive special attention. Course taken concurrently with SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I, which provides an opportunity to integrate theory into practice in work with clients. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
SWK-785 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 hours)
The use of social and behavioral science theories in all levels of social work practice. The life cycle and its influences on the development of individual differences is emphasized. The course includes theories pertaining to individual, family, group, organizational and community systems. Discussion on human diversity, discrimination and oppression is integrated at various levels. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
Practicum
SWK-721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I (6 hours)
Practice experience and field instruction in a social welfare setting with a qualified social worker as field instructor, assisting the student to integrate theory and practice and to develop beginning level professional competence. Students will spend two eight-hour days per week (or equivalent) within the field setting. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program. Corequisite: SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro.
SWK-722 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar I (1 hour)
A cumulative effort during which the student synthesizes and integrates strands of the social work curriculum by (1) developing and explicating his/her personalized social work frame of reference, and (2) demonstrating consumption and utilization of professional literature for knowledge-guided practice in the context of his/her frame of reference. To be taken with SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
Spring
SWK-702 Advanced Social Work Practice II: Mezzo (3 hours)
This course covers social work practice at the group (mezzo) level. Students learn about the group process, participate in a student led group, and lead a group. This course builds on the skills addressed in SWK 701. Course taken concurrently with SWK 723 which provides students an opportunity to integrate theory into practice in work with clients. Prerequisite: SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro, acceptance into KU MSW Program or permission of instructor.
SWK-765 Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3 hours)
Analysis of social welfare policies and the assumptions underlying their development. Analytical models are introduced. The process of policy development and prevention/remediation issues are examined. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
SWK-703 Advanced Social Work Practice III (3 hours)
This course covers social work practice at the community (macro) level. Students learn about facilitating change at the organizational al or community level. Students organize and lead a project which benefits people at the community level. Course taken currently with SWK 723, Found Social Work Practicum II, which provides students an opportunity to Integrate theory into practice in work with clients or specific population/constituent groups. Prerequisite: SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I; acceptance into KU MSW Program or permission of instructor.
Practicum
SWK-723 Foundation Social Work Practicum II (6 hours)
Practice experience and field instruction in a social welfare setting with a qualified social worker as field instructor, assisting the student to integrate theory and practice and to develop beginning level professional competence. Students will spend two eight-hour days per week (or equivalent) within the field setting. Prerequisites: Acceptance into KU MSW Program and SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I.
SWK-724 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar II (1 hour)
A cumulative effort during which the student synthesizes and integrates strands of the social work curriculum by (1) developing and explicating his/her personalized social work frame of reference, and (2) demonstrating consumption and utilization of professional literature for knowledge-guided practice, in the context of his/her frame of reference. To be taken with SWK 723 Foundation Social Work Practicum II. Prerequisite: SWK 722 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar I and acceptance into KU MSW Program.
Year 2 - Choose between Clinical or Macro Specialization (blended format with in-person class times on the Pittsburg State University)
Upon completion of the foundation year, the students will transition to the second year (clinical or macro year) at KU's program, delivered on the Pittsburg State University campus in a blended format. To view the second year, visit the Traditional Curriculum Year 2 - Clinical tab KU MSW Curriculum webpage.
Attend class in-person on Monday and Wednesday on the Pittsburg State University Campus
Fall
SWK-783 Fundamentals of Research in Social Work (3 hours)
Major conceptual tools of the scientific knowledge-building process, including scientific philosophy, methodology, and design. Emphasis on critical analysis, understanding, and consumption of research in the social and behavioral sciences for knowledge-guided practice. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
SWK-701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro (3 hours)
The integration and application of social work knowledge, values, and skills to intervention with an emphasis on assessment within a generalist framework at the micro level. Social work with individuals and families and case management receive special attention. Course taken concurrently with SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I, which provides an opportunity to integrate theory into practice in work with clients. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
SWK-785 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 hours)
The use of social and behavioral science theories in all levels of social work practice. The life cycle and its influences on the development of individual differences is emphasized. The course includes theories pertaining to individual, family, group, organizational and community systems. Discussion on human diversity, discrimination and oppression is integrated at various levels. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
Practicum
SWK-721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I (6 hours)
Practice experience and field instruction in a social welfare setting with a qualified social worker as field instructor, assisting the student to integrate theory and practice and to develop beginning level professional competence. Students will spend two eight-hour days per week (or equivalent) within the field setting. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program. Corequisite: SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro.
SWK-722 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar I (1 hour)
A cumulative effort during which the student synthesizes and integrates strands of the social work curriculum by (1) developing and explicating his/her personalized social work frame of reference, and (2) demonstrating consumption and utilization of professional literature for knowledge-guided practice in the context of his/her frame of reference. To be taken with SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
Spring
SWK-702 Advanced Social Work Practice II: Mezzo (3 hours)
This course covers social work practice at the group (mezzo) level. Students learn about the group process, participate in a student led group, and lead a group. This course builds on the skills addressed in SWK 701. Course taken concurrently with SWK 723 which provides students an opportunity to integrate theory into practice in work with clients. Prerequisite: SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro, acceptance into KU MSW Program or permission of instructor.
SWK-765 Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3 hours)
Analysis of social welfare policies and the assumptions underlying their development. Analytical models are introduced. The process of policy development and prevention/remediation issues are examined. Prerequisite: Acceptance into KU MSW Program.
SWK-703 Advanced Social Work Practice III (3 hours)
This course covers social work practice at the community (macro) level. Students learn about facilitating change at the organizational al or community level. Students organize and lead a project which benefits people at the community level. Course taken currently with SWK 723, Found Social Work Practicum II, which provides students an opportunity to Integrate theory into practice in work with clients or specific population/constituent groups. Prerequisite: SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I; acceptance into KU MSW Program or permission of instructor.
Practicum
SWK-723 Foundation Social Work Practicum II (6 hours)
Practice experience and field instruction in a social welfare setting with a qualified social worker as field instructor, assisting the student to integrate theory and practice and to develop beginning level professional competence. Students will spend two eight-hour days per week (or equivalent) within the field setting. Prerequisites: Acceptance into KU MSW Program and SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum I.
SWK-724 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar II (1 hour)
A cumulative effort during which the student synthesizes and integrates strands of the social work curriculum by (1) developing and explicating his/her personalized social work frame of reference, and (2) demonstrating consumption and utilization of professional literature for knowledge-guided practice, in the context of his/her frame of reference. To be taken with SWK 723 Foundation Social Work Practicum II. Prerequisite: SWK 722 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar I and acceptance into KU MSW Program.
Year 2 - Choose between Clinical or Macro Specialization (blended format with in-person class times on the Pittsburg State University)
Upon completion of the foundation year, the students will transition to the second year (clinical or macro year) at KU's program, delivered on the Pittsburg State University campus in a blended format. To view the second year, visit the Traditional Curriculum Year 2 - Clinical tab KU MSW Curriculum webpage.
