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Areas of Specialized Practice

Clinical Practice

Clinical Practice is the application of theories, methods, skills, values and ethics needed to enhance the cognitive, mental, emotional, behavioral, physical and social well-being of individuals, couples, families, groups and communities. Clinical practice requires leadership in promoting social, economic and political justice. Its methods are relationship-centered, contextualized, culturally sensitive and strengths focused. It includes knowledge about biopsychosocial functioning - and - evidence based interventions.  Clinical practice includes, (but not limited to) assessment and intervention, diagnosis and treatment, education and prevention, advocacy, counseling and psychotherapy, supervision and consultation. Clinical practice students are required to take these four courses:

  1. Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
  2. Brief Targeted Interventions
  3. Clinical Applications of DSM (practice).
  4. Clinical Elective
    • Choose One:
      • Social Work Practice with Elders
      • Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents
      • Social Work Practice with Groups

Recommended Crossover Macro Electives for Clinical Students include:

  • SOCW 6354 Managing Human Service Organizations
  • SOCW 7320 Empowerment
  • SOCW 7323 Organizational Behavior and Change
  • SOCW 7330 Fiscal Management and Budgeting
  • SOCW 7353 Professional Grant Writing for Social Work
  • SOCW 7372 Global Justice

Macro Practice

Macro Practice prepares students for practice in urban settings where the needs of diverse, vulnerable populations require highly skilled professional leaders. Students are prepared to work in communities, in public and private organizations to promote progressive social change that contributes to the growth and empowerment of individuals, agencies and communities. Core concepts and practice skills are developed for work at the community, organizational, societal, and global levels. Students are prepared to assume leadership positions as advocates, managers, program planners, researchers, policy analysts, and agency and community capacity builders. Students in this concentration are required to take these four courses:

  1. SW Practice in Organizations (practice course)
  2. SW Leadership (theory/practice)
  3. SW Practice in Communities (theory/practice)
  4. SW Practice for Policy Change (policy)

Recommended Crossover Clinical Electives for MACRO students include:

  • SOCW 7340 Clinical Practice with Children and Adolescents
  • SOCW 7347 Social Work Practice & Interventions in Schools
  • SOCW 7356 Social Work Practice with Groups in Clinical Settings
  • SOCW 7365 Crisis Intervention
  • SOCW 7374 Mediation for Social Workers
  • SOCW 7308 Self Examination of Life Foundation (SELF)
  • SOCW 7361 Social Work Practice with Elders