UBC Okanagan

Course Descriptions

Social Work, Faculty of Health and Social Development

SOCW: Social Work

SOCW 511 (3) Introduction to Social Work

An introduction to social work with emphasis on ethical decision making and preparation for professional practice.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 512 (3) Theories and Interventions for Clinical Social Work

Advances students' understanding of major theoretical frameworks and treatment modalities for clinical and direct social work practice and their relevance to and application within the planned change process.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 513 (3) Assessment Skills for Clinical Social Work

Theoretical perspectives and foundational skills for assessment in clinical social work.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 514 (3) Diversity and Critical Reflexive Practice

Meanings, dynamics, and impacts of diversity in social work practice. Students examine their own identities and social locations and a range of theories and orientations to inclusion and social justice.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 515 (3) Social Welfare Policy in Canada

Historical and current forces shaping Canadian legislation, policies, programs, and services; impacts of these on social work practice and service users.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 516 (3) Foundations of Ethical Practice

Values and principles of ethical practice in clinical social work; ethical dilemmas and decision making with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within the framework of the social work profession's Codes of Ethics.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 517 (3) Social Work and Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Overview of historical and current issues confronting social work with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, families, and communities within Canada including but not limited to child protection; critical assessment of theories for social work practice with Canada's Indigenous peoples.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 518 (3) Integrative Seminar for Field Education

Links classroom education with field education. Consists of independent readings, invited speakers, and online discussions. Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 519 (6) Social Work Field Education I

Development, application, and integration of core social work knowledge and skills in social work practice settings. Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 520 (3) Social Work Practice with Families

Examines major interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives and practice approaches for assessment and intervention with families.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 521 (3) Social Work Practice with Groups

Examines a range of group treatment approaches with a focus on group facilitation, dynamics and processes.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 522 (3) Clinical Practice with Children and Adolescents

Addresses the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents using biological, psychological, developmental, and social/environmental perspectives.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 523 (3) Advanced Assessment and Treatment With Children, Adolescents and Families

Conducting advanced clinical assessments, diagnoses, and interventions with children, adolescents, and families and exploration of research evidence to guide intervention choices. Includes supervised clinical work.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 525 (3) Human Development for Clinical Social Work

Empirical and theoretical knowledge of human development relevant for clinical social work practice across the lifespan.

SOCW 531 (3) Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Clinical Practice

Provides an opportunity to expand theoretical and analytical foundation in the awareness, knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to effectively carry out anti-oppressive social work practice.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 540 (3-12) d Selected Topics in Social Work Practice

Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 541 (3) Directed Studies in Social Work

A learning experience in a focused area of study, with the agreement and under supervision of a faculty member selected by the student and approved by the Director, School of Social Work.

SOCW 551 (3) Advanced Clinical Social Work Theory and Practice

Integrates theory and practice with attention to relational principles and a complex analysis of personal and social problems. Consideration of the dynamic interaction between the individual and the social world, and the possibility of intervention at multiple levels.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 552 (3) Community, Place and Policy in Clinical Practice

Linking clinical social work practice to the broader community and policy contexts in which clinician and client are situated. Examining how policy approaches structure clinical practice in relation to community and place and builds culturally relevant community and place centered practice skills in assessment and intervention. Credit will be not be granted for both SOCW 552 and SOCW 502 or both SOCW 552 and SOCW 503.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 553 (3) Research Knowledge and Evidence in Clinical Social Work Practice

Knowledge and skills for utilizing empirical evidence to guide clinical social work practice.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 554 (3) Mental Health and Mental Illness

Explores relevant mental health issues to social work practice in a broad range of settings. Critically examines social work's role in providing effective, evidence-based, theoretically sound interventions and treatments.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 555 (3) Organizations and Leadership

Knowledge of human service organizations and tools for effective leadership. Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 558 (3) Advanced Integrative Seminar for Field Education

Integrates theoretical knowledge and practice experience in direct/clinical settings. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 559 (6) Social Work Field Education II

Provides 2nd year Foundational and Advanced One-Year track students an opportunity to apply and integrate theory and practice in clinical social work practice settings. Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 560 (3) Braiding Indigenous Knowledge Into Clinical Practice

Integrates Western and Indigenous knowledges in clinical social work practice.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 562 (3) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Explores cognitive behavioral theories and therapeutic techniques in clinical social work practice.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 563 (3) Social Work in Health Care

Knowledge and skills for social work practice in a range of health care settings.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 564 (3) Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work

Knowledge of trauma, its relevance to assessment and treatment in clinical social work practice.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 565 (3) Supervision of Clinical Social Work

Educates social workers in the practice of clinical supervision from a relational perspective including key principles, methods, skills, processes and the handling of common challenges.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students in the M.S.W. program.

SOCW 598 (3) Graduating Paper

A scholarly paper in an area of interest that conforms to the demands of a peer-reviewed social work journal. Pass/Fail.

SOCW 599 (9) Thesis

An independent research or scholarly project which aims to develop knowledge and practice implications for clinical social work practice. Pass/Fail.