MSWK501

Theory and Practice (TP I) is the first in a required sequence of four social work theory and practice courses in the MSW Program. In TP I, students gain a general overview of the history, philosophy, process, and efficacy of direct social work practice with individuals and families in diverse settings and of diverse identities. Students discover the various roles that generalist social workers take and the importance of working across multiple systems, including individuals, couples, families, agencies, and communities. The field instruction component facilitates the development of the student in the profession by engaging the historic signature pedagogy of hands-on learning. Through the resources of the Practicum Education Department, students will be placed in an agency for 200 hours of supervised practice. Students are expected to utilize critical thinking to link social work theories with appropriate practice skills, to evaluate their work in class and field critically, and to use research-informed practice to understand how agencies provide services.