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Add a helping hand.
Become an advocate for domestic violence, a guiding voice of hope for a child in a desperate situation, and a listening ear for all those who need one. No matter your degree or the career path you’re pursuing, a minor in Social Work provides you with essential skills to help in any area of work or life.
With a strong liberal arts-based foundation, the Social Work minor at William Woods University integrates the knowledge, values and skills needed to work with diverse and vulnerable populations. You will be prepared to represent individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, fighting for a greater good and winning justice for all.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the minor includes coursework in social welfare, interaction skills, human behavior in the environment, intervention strategies in individuals and families, and so much more.
In addition to these courses, you will gain experience through service learning activities on campus and in the Fulton area. Learn to develop action plans and create a professional portfolio demonstrating your expertise in the field of social work. Grow alongside like-minded individuals through student organizations like Students for Social Work. The opportunities are endless.
The minor in social work at William Woods University includes 15 required course credits and 3 required elective credits.
Minor Requirements
Core Credits: 15.00
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This course introduces students to the profession of social work and social welfare institutions in the United States. Topics include the historical and philosophical development of the social work profession; contemporary issues in generalist social work practice; social work values and ethics; and interprofessional education and practice. Students will also learn about social issues addressed by social welfare institutions, the roles generalist social workers fill in these institutions, and related career opportunities. Discrimination, oppression, intersectionality, and diversity will also be explored in the context of social work and social welfare. credits:
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Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
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This course serves as a foundation course for our social work program and is the first social work practice course. Students are introduced to the generalist practice model and develop the core listening, communication, and assessment skills essential to problem-solving in the context of generalist social work practice. The generalist social work perspective, social work values and ethics, cultural humility, and populations-at-risk are emphasized. Students videotape various role play scenarios to assist with development of the related interaction skills. credits:
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Interaction Skills | 3 |
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This course introduces students to generalist social work practice with individuals and families. Emphasis is on learning to develop professional relationships that are characterized by mutuality, collaboration, and respect for the client. Students learn to apply the generalist problem solving method to assist client systems (individuals and families) with leveraging their strengths to address challenges stemming from interactions with their environment. Additional topics include social work values and ethics, cultural humility, intersectionality, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional education. credits:
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Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families | 3 |
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Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE) I introduces students to the person-in-environment perspective by examining biological, sociological, and psychological, cultural, and spiritual development of individuals across the lifespan within the context of the smaller systems (e.g., families, fictive kin systems, friendship networks). The interrelationships between individuals and their environments are also explored. Topics include development; behavior; problems in living commonly experienced by individuals and families; personal and professional social work values in regard to individuals and families; diversity and difference in the context of individual and family development and behavior; and related theoretical frameworks. Students should have a foundational understanding of psychology and biology before beginning this course. credits:
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Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
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Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE) II builds on the knowledge and theories related to individual development within the context of smaller systems that were introduced in HBSE I (SWK 316). This course focuses on the interactions between micro systems (individuals/families) and their larger environment, with an emphasis on understanding interactions with groups, organizations, and communities, as well as the behavior and functioning of the larger systems. Students will also explore social work values and ethics, rurality, racial and ethnic diversity, history and development of ethnic communities, current ethnic relationships, social class, gender, sexual orientation, oppression, and social justice issues as they relate to human behavior in the context of larger social systems. credits:
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Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
Required Elective - 3 Credits
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This course examines the affects of aging on individuals, groups, social institutions, and society. Issues of the aging are examined with special attention to work, retirement, leisure, health, self-conceptualization, and living environments. Social Work practice with the elderly will constitute a significant focus of the course with opportunity for experiential learning. credits:
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Aging in America - A New Genertn | 3 |
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This course focuses on issues unique to individuals and groups that have been victimized by violent crime. Course content includes examination of the victim’s historical role within the criminal justice system, the victim’s movement, and current issues most relevant to victims and service delivery. Theoretical consideration and practice interventions are examined in relation to specific crimes and vulnerable populations. In conjunction with area agencies, students develop a community project to be implemented during National Crime Victims Rights Week. credits:
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Crime Victimization in America | 3 |
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An examination of the historic and current legal policies that impact the legal response to domestic violence. The legal impact on women, juvenile offenders, divorce, and the criminal justice system will be explored. credits:
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Domestic Violence Theories & Interv | 3 |
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This course introduces students to the theoretical concepts, processes, and skills related to generalist social work practice with groups. Students develop their knowledge and skills related to both treatment and task groups. Topics include group formation, development, maintenance, and change/dissolution. Students will gain insight into the identification, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based group interventions. Particular attention is given to social work values and ethics, as well as the importance of groupwork to addressing challenges related to diversity, oppression, racism, and at-risk-populations. credits:
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Social Work Practice with Groups | 3 |
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This course will focus on the following areas: drug pharmacology and its effects on the user and will include examination of such topics as classifications of drugs, synergistic effects on the body, drug tolerance and dependence and the over-the -counter pharmacology industry. A study of the special problems of the adolescent substance abuser. Emphasis will be on the identification and section as key components in initiating intervention strategies. An examination of the correlation between substance abuse and criminality. Analyzing the theoretical models of the substance abuse/ crime relationships and its implication. Topics to be explored will include drugs and street crime, DUI, intervention strategies, urinalysis testing, and substance abuse and family violence. We will attend substance abuse counseling sessions to view the process for mandated clients. Major theoretical counseling orientations are examined with an emphasis on how each of these theories applies to the treatment of substance use disorders. Theories considered include: Freudian Theory, Client-Centered Theory, Gestalt Theory, Reality Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, social learning theory and other Cognitive-Behavior Theoretical approaches. credits:
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Addictive Behaviors & Substan Abuse | 3 |
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This course focuses on the basic concepts inherent in the development, analysis, and implementation of social welfare policy. Course content includes examination of these concepts from micro, mezzo, and macro perspectives that emphasize the relationship between policy and direct practice. Historical influences, consequences, and current initiatives are reviewed, and various models and considerations for analysis are examined. Students may have the opportunity to observe legislative sessions at the State Capitol. credits:
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Social Welfare Policy | 3 |
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This course presents an in-depth examination of the dynamics of, relationship between, and causes of child abuse and neglect. Family roles and their subsequent consequences are analyzed. This course builds on practice skills in identification and intervention with families in which child abuse and neglect occur. Special attention is given to substance abuse and domestic violence and how they impact child abuse and neglect. credits:
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Child Abuse and Neglect | 3 |
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This course is designed to teach students about the dynamics of mental health history, services, policies and special considerations for populations at risk. An interdisciplinary approach to understanding, assessment, treatment, case management and legal process will be covered. The history of mental health services as it applies to contemporary issues and policies will be explored. The varying causes, signs and symptoms, risk factors, cost and treatment of mental illness will be examined extensively. This course is designed for students preparing for professions working with individuals, families, organizations and policies. The class is particularly targeted at students majoring in social work, deaf human services, juvenile justice, psychology or legal studies. credits:
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Mental Health Services and Policies | 3 |
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An overview of causes and types of offenses by juveniles and an exploration of the legal issues and enforcement procedures in the short-term detention and long-term incarceration of juveniles. Prevention programs such as Juvenile Court, legal system intervention programs and services, court ordered probation, detention, group home care, institutional care and community programs (community service, restitution and social skill development) are all examined as responses to juvenile offending. credits:
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Working with Juvenile Offenders | 3 |