Social Work
"The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person and environment construct, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, social work's purpose is to actualize through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons." (CSWE, EPAS, 2008)
The social work program at Northwestern prepares students in the generalist perspective for entry-level professional positions and for advanced graduate training in social work. The generalist perspective means that social workers are trained in a holistic interactionist paradigm for work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Social workers work within a distinct value orientation including service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry.
As a social work student at Northwestern College, you’ll be equipped for the profession through a curriculum of courses in social work theory and practice built on a broad foundation in the liberal arts and in the social and behavioral sciences. The signature pedagogy for social work is the field practicum experience in a professional setting. "The intent of the field education is to connect the theoretical and conceptual contribution of the classroom with the practical world of the practice setting." (CSWE, EPAS, 2008) The course requirements of the social work program are extensive due to the broad spectrum of knowledge required to become an effective social work practitioner. Northwestern’s social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (since 1986).
The social work faculty is committed to the preparation of graduates who have integrated their faith into all areas of their life: competent professionals, whose integrity is centered in Christ-like compassion and whose spiritual strength enables them to enter with confidence the varied contexts of human need.
Social work department homepage
Social work core courses
(30 Hours Voluntary Experience)
SWK 140 - Introduction to Social Work
(4 credits) This course presents a history of the social work profession and social work practice. It incorporates the major fields of social work and the concepts and theories needed to understand the social, cultural, political, ethical and religious context that provides the ecological framework of social work practice, and it enables a thorough understanding of at-risk populations and of the problems which social work must address. Included are visits to agencies and guest lectures by social workers from the field. A central concern is the Christian's individual and collective responsibility for the health and welfare of fellow human beings.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved.
SWK 210 - Direct Helping Skills
(2 credits) This course is designed to help students develop basic interviewing skills and techniques in the area of social work. This course will provide foundational skills in interviewing so that students can work effectively with individuals, families and groups from all diverse populations. Different techniques of interviewing and theoretical principles of interviewing will be investigated. Students will increase their practical skills through the use of an interactive learning environment and through intensive use of video feedback and role playing.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: PSY111 or SWK140 or SOC101.
SWK 220WI - Qualitative Research
(3 credits)(Writing intensive) The course prepares students to engage in qualitative inquiry and research
designs, including narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, case
study, participatory action research, focus groups, and ethnography.
Comparative analysis of approaches, paradigmatic controversies, and mixed
model designs are discussed. The course reviews strategies of inquiry,
sampling methods, data collection, and analysis. Students will learn
conventions of qualitative research writing in the field of social work.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved.
Prerequisites: SOC101, PSY111, SWK210 and PSY215. (3 credits)
SWK 231 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE)
(4 credits) HBSE focuses on interaction between an individual's development and the functioning of groups, organizations and communities. This course is the foundation course in the human behavior and the social environment sequence to prepare baccalaureate students for general practice. It utilizes the person-in-the-environment perspective to integrate theoretical knowledge and research from the human, biological, psychological and social sciences in understanding human behavior. Human development across the life span within the context of the influence of ethnicity, race, culture, gender, social class, age, sexual orientation and disability is specifically addressed in an attempt to understand human behavior.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: PSY111, SWK140, SOC101, or permission of instructor.
SWK 232 - Diverse Populations and Social Justice
(4 credits) Examines theoretical foundations for understanding dynamics of social inequity, privilege, and oppression; focus on diversity and on populations at risk due to racism, sexism and classism; self-assessment of students' racial and cultural heritage as it shapes their attitudes and biases toward different cultural and racial groups; emphasis on helping students become culturally competent social workers who are grounded in their faith and who identify with the profession's respect for diversity and commitment to social and economic justice. Open to non-majors.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: PSY111, SWK231, SOC101, or permission of instructor.
SWK 360 - Social Policy and Advocacy
(3 credits) Examines social policy development and the political process, with special attention to the poor and disadvantaged. This course will assist students in acquiring skills to see the inadequacies, gaps and inequities in social policies in the past and present and help them develop critical thinking and advocacy skills, plus a commitment to change.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved.
SWK 370 - Individual Clients: Theory and Practice
This course examines therapeutic theories and models of directed practice
with individual clients. Emphasis is on etiology, diagnosis, and assessment
with the application of psychosocial history, treatment plans, crisis
intervention plans, and use of diagnostic tools, such as the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual (current edition). The course reviews evidence-based
research for generalist practice with diverse individuals.
Prerequisites: PSY215, SWK140 and 231. (4 credits)
Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on
a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work
courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social
Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for
life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or
above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must
repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
SWK 372 - Family Systems: Theory and Practice
This course is designed to help students develop basic skills in working
with diverse families at varying family life stages and composition.
Concepts of family-centered practice, including strategies of engagement,
problem analysis/assessment, evidence-informed intervention for change
strategies, theoretical approaches, and evaluative effectiveness are studied
and practiced.
Prerequisite: SWK 370. (4 credits)
Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on
a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work
courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social
Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for
life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or
above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must
repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
SWK 386 - Community Theory and Practice
(4 credits) Examines generalist Social Work practice theories and skills with organizations and communities. Students will develop competencies related to larger system practice, such as networking, community needs assessment, organizational theory and dynamics, larger system planned change processes, program evaluation, social action, community planning, grant writing, and supervision.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved. Prerequisite: SWK370. Open only to Social work majors.
SWK 416 - Ethics in Social Work
(3 credits) The intent of this course is to introduce students to the
philosophical issues related to social work practice. Areas of study
include a critical analysis of the profession's role in society, and the
relationships between social work values, its ethical guidelines, its
knowledge base and research, and its practice skills. The course
concludes with an analysis of the ethical and non-ethical issues facing
practitioners and the various approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas.
Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No
academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs
which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No
academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience
or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all
social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the
course until the standard has been achieved.
Prerequisites: SWK 370. Open only to Social Work majors.
SWK 418SR - Social Work Professional Seminar
(3 credits) This course is designed to complement the student's field
placement and provide a forum in which to discuss field experiences-work
assignments, problems, and ethical and non-ethical issues.
Prerequisites: SWK 370, 376 and 386
Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on
a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work
courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social
Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for
life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C"or
above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must
repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
SWK 419 - Social Work Practicum
(10 credits) This is a field course which gives students the opportunity to practice generalist social work skills in a professional setting. The field sites are diverse, ranging from child and family services to mental health, community development and school social work. Emphasis is placed on introducing students to diverse ethnic, racial, sex and age-related group lifestyles and orientations.
Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core
foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the
standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: SWK370, 376 and 386.
Cognate requirements
PSC 101SS - American Government
(4 credits)(IGE option under Self and Society) A broad survey of the
major political and governmental institutions in the United States, this
course examines how citizens attempt to influence their government and
how the government responds. The course also develops the foundations for
a biblical perspective on the role of government and the task of citizens.
PSY 100SS - Exploring Psychology
(4 credits)(NWCore option under Self and Society) In this course students learn
how, using methodologies such as
observation, survey and experimentation, psychological science explores
the causes and consequences of human action. An overview of major
findings from the field of psychology such as biological bases of
behavior, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, human development,
personality, intelligence, psychopathology and therapy, the effect of
others on individuals will be discussed and students will be encouraged
to apply this knowledge to their own views and actions. Students will
consider why the integration of faith and science in understanding humans
is important and will explore ways of accomplishing this integration.
PSY 215 - Research Design and Introductory Statistics
This course acquaints the student with basic empirical research techniques in the behavioral sciences including political science, psychology, social work and sociology. The course aims to enable the student to function as a conductor and a consumer of behavioral science research. Techniques include: observation, questionnaire and survey, interview, single-subject designs, qualitative research, and experimental and quasi-experimental methodologies. Topics include: descriptive and basic inferential statistics, sampling methods and research ethics. Prerequisites: PSY111, SOC101, PSC101, or PSC105, and fulfillment of the general education math requirement. (4 credits)
SOC 101SS - Principles of Sociology
(4 credits)(IGE option under Self and Society) An introduction to
sociology, its major concepts, tools and perspectives. This course
provides an understanding of societies; of culture; of major social
institutions such as the family, religion and education; of social
inequality; and of social change.
Choose one course
BIO 102SN - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
(4 credits)(NWCore option under Science and the Natural World) An
introduction to the structure and function of the human body.
Note: Includes 1 1/2 hours of lab per week. Does not count toward a
biology major or minor. A fee is associated with this course.
BIO 150SN - Brain and Behavior: The Mind's Machine
A fee is associated with this course.
Total credits required: 69
Note: SWK418SR and 419 must be taken together during the second semester of the senior year and ordinarily will constitute a full load for that semester. These courses will usually be taken at Northwestern College. SWK370, 372, 386, 416, 418SR, and 419 are courses open only to social work majors.
