Cynthia Garthwait, Chair
Social work is a human service profession concerned with the prevention
of social problems, the maintenance of satisfying social relationships
and the enhancement of human development. It focuses on people and
their social environment. Social workers employ a range of knowledge
and skills as the basis for constructive intervention on behalf of
various client populations. Our primary goal is to prepare students
for beginning generalist social work practice. The Bachelor of Arts
and Master of Social Work degrees are offered.
The undergraduate major in social work is available for those who
wish to prepare for: (1) professional employment in the social
services; (2) entry into a graduate school of social work;
(3) graduate education in other helping service professions.
The graduate degree in social work prepares grduates for advanced
social work practice. See The University of Montana Graduate Catalog
for a description of the Master of Social Work program.
Special Degree Requirements
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.
See index.
Thirty seven credits
in social work courses are required for the B.A. degree. The following
courses must be successfully completed: SW 100S, 200, 300, 310, 350,
360, 400, 488, and 10 credits in SW 489.
Requirements for the B.A. degree include course work outside the Social
Work Department providing content in the social and behavioral sciences,
human biology, and human diversity. Required course work includes
ECON 100S; PSC 100S; SOC 110S; PSYC 100S, 240S, 245; BIOL 100N; ANTH
180S or SOC 220S. No fewer than six of these eight course requirements
must be completed before enrollment will be permitted in required
300 level social work courses.
To enroll in required 300 and 400 level social work courses, social
work majors are required to have earned and to maintain a 2.5 grade
average for all college course work. In order to insure that they
have complied with all course prerequisites, grade point average requirements
and compliance with professional social work ethics, students must
complete a formal Application to the Social Work Major for
departmental approval prior to admission to required social work courses
at the 300 level or above.
Social work majors are required to complete a two-semester practicum
placement (SW 489, Field Work Practicum, 10 credits). Refer to the
SW 489 course description for admission and completion requirements
regarding this specific course.
The Upper-division Writing Expectation must be met by successfully
completing an upper-division writing course from the approved list
in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog. See
index. SW 310 will satisfy this requirement.
Social work majors who wish to explore more specialized study in such
areas as aging, children, exceptional persons or the family should
consider the Human and Family Development minor program, which is
described elsewhere in the catalog. The Department of Social Work
offers a Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program for eligible B.A.
and M.S.W. students interested in a career in child protective services.
Social Work majors are expected to conduct themselves according to
the ethical standards of the National Association of Social Workers
as well as those applicable to students of the University. Other expectations
are described in the Social Work Advising Guide available from the
department or on web page [www.umt.edu/sw/].
Majors in social work are assigned a faculty advisor with whom they
are required to meet at least once per semester as soon as the social
work major is declared. A departmental advising guide is available
to all students at the Department of Social Work office or on web
page [www.umt.edu/sw/]. The Master
of Social Work requirements are detailed in The University of Montana
Graduate Catalog.
Suggested Course of Study back
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First
Year |
A
|
S
|
ECON 100S
Introduction to Political Economics |
-
|
3
|
MATH
107 (or higher) Contemporary Mathematics |
3
|
-
|
PSYC 100S
Introduction to Psychology |
3
|
-
|
SOC 110S
Principles of Sociology |
-
|
3
|
SW 100S
Introduction to Social Welfare |
3
|
-
|
General
Education |
7
|
9
|
Total |
16
|
15
|
Second
Year |
|
|
SW 200
Introduction to Social Work Practice |
4
|
-
|
BIOL 100N
The Science of Life |
-
|
3
|
PSC 100S
Introduction to American Government |
3
|
-
|
PSYC 240S
Child and Adolescent Development |
-
|
3
|
PSYC 245
Adult Development and Aging |
-
|
3
|
ANTH 180S
Race and Minorities or
SOC 220S Race and Ethnic Relations |
3
|
-
|
General
Education |
6
|
6
|
Total |
16
|
15
|
Third
Year |
|
|
SW 300
Human Behavior and Social Environment |
4
|
-
|
SW 310
Social Welfare Policy and Services |
-
|
3
|
SW
350, 360 Social Work Intervention Methods I, II |
4
|
4
|
Electives
|
6
|
9
|
Total |
14
|
16
|
Fourth Year |
|
|
SW
400 Social Work Research |
3
|
-
|
SW
488 Field Work Practicum Seminar |
2
|
-
|
SW
489 Field Work Practicum |
5
|
5
|
Electives |
4
|
9
|
Total |
14
|
14
|
Courses back
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U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate
credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the
course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the
R.
U 100S Introduction to Social Welfare 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Overview of human services, programs and problems in meeting
social welfare needs, with emphasis on the complexity of social services
and their historical development. Analysis of the value, attitudinal,
economic and political factors that condition the provision of these
services.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 198 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 3) Offered
autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of department. Application of
classroom learning in off campus placements. Prior approval must be
obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center for Work-Based
Learning.
U 200 Introduction to Social Work Practice 4 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., SW 100S, sophomore standing. Introduction to
social work as a profession, including an examination of goals, guiding
philosophy and basic assumptions. Emphasis on a generalist framework
of social work practice and the development of beginning analytical
and practice skills.
U 220 Community Volunteer Service 2 cr. (R 4) Offered autumn
and spring. Structured volunteer experience and related seminar in
social service/community organizations. Emphasis on student participation
and critical learning. Topics include community service, organizational
goals, client groups served, services provided and relationships to
the borader undergraduate eductional experience.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 300 Human Behavior and Social Environment 4 cr. Offered
autumn and spring. Prereq., SW 200. Prereq. or coreq., Psyc 240S,
junior standing. Using the ecological social systems framework, the
integration of knowledge and concepts from the social and behavioral
sciences for analysis and assessment of problems and issues relevant
to professional social work practice.
UG 310 Social Welfare Policy and Services 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., SW 200. Social welfare history, program planning
and analysis with review of selected policies on the national level.
Includes international comparisons. Upper-division writing course.
U 322S Explorations in Gerontology 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., SW 100S or Soc 110S or Psyc 100S or consent of instr. Examination
of the major psychosocial theories of aging, the service system, health
issues, the family, and dying and bereavement. Students learn and
assist the elderly through volunteer service. The service learning
component is integrated into the classroom through initial training,
regular discussion, and other activities.
U 323 Women and Social Action in the Americas 3 cr. Offered
autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., one of SW 100S, SOC 110S, or ANTH
101H or consent of instr. Same as WS 323. Focus on women's experiences
of and contributions to social change in North, South and Central
America in the mid- to late-20th century. Through case studies, testimonials,
discussions with activists and Internet connections examine social
constructions of gender, compare forms of social action in diverse
cultural, political and historical contexts, link practice to theories
of social participation, and reflect on lessons learned from women's
experiences.
U 324 Gender and the Politics of Welfare 3 cr. Offered autumn
even-numbered years. Prereq., SW 100S or consent of instr. Same as
WS 324. Exploration of the relationship between gender ideologies
and the development of social welfare policies. Examination of historic
and contemporary social welfare policies, practices and debates in
the United States through a gender lens.
UG 350 Social Work Intervention Methods I 4 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., SW 200; coreq., SW 300. The study and application
of the generalist model of social work practice and related techniques
and procedures for the assessment, intervention and prevention of
problems in social functioning of individuals, families, small groups
and communities.
U 360 Social Work Intervention Methods II 4 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., SW 350. Continuation of 350.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 398 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 3)
Offered autumn and spring. Extended classroom experience which provides
practical application of classroom learning during placements within
the business community. The student must complete a learning agreement
with a faculty member, relating the placement opportunity to his or
her field of study. The department will determine the number of credits
to be earned for the experience based upon the activities outlined
in the learning agreement. Prior approval must be obtained from the
faculty supervisor and the Center for Work-Based Learning. The department
has determined that a maximum of 3 credits can be applied to the departmental
major.
UG 400 Social Work Research 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring.
Prereq., SW 360. Utilization of social research findings in social
work practice. Techniques for the collection and analysis of clinical
data. Special emphasis on research methodology for the assessment
of practitioner and program effectiveness.
UG 410E Ethics and the Helping Professions 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., completion of twelve credits in social work or a related
discipline and lower division course in Perspective 5 or consent of
instr. Analysis of specific ethical dilemmas from personal, professional
and policy perspectives. Focus on ethical issues common to the helping
professions and utilizing codes of ethics as guides to decision making.
The relationship between professional ethical issues and the development
of social policy.
UG 420S Child Abuse and Child Welfare 4 cr. Offered autumn.
Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Signs and symptoms of
physical and sexual abuse and neglect, family dynamics in abuse and
neglect, the legal context, programs of prevention and intervention,
foster care, special needs adoptions and related issues in child welfare.
UG 422 Services to Changing Families 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., upper division or graduate standing. Examination of current
family forms and practices in the United States with attention to
single parent, step parent, and two parent working families. Family
dynamics, assessment, and therapy models discussed. Social services
and support programs discussed.
UG 423 Addiction Studies 3 cr. Offered spring. Same as PSYC
and SOC 423. Examination of chemical dependency and behavioral compulsions,
including alcohol and other drugs, gambling, eating disorders, sexual
addictions. Ecosystems perspective on etiology, treatment, prevention,
family dynamics, community response, and societal contributors.
UG 450 Children and Youth at Risk 3 cr. Offered spring. Focus
on the aspects of society that pose a threat to today's youth and
the ramification of those threats on youth development and behavior.
Resilience and protective factors for youth at risk and strategies
to work with those youth. Attention to related systems in Missoula
dn Montana, including juvenile justice, mental health, child protection,
substance abuse, and education.
U 488 Field Work Practicum Seminar 2 cr. Offered every term.
Coreq., SW 489. Consideration and discussion of practicum related
matters, professional development, and issues confronting the profession.
Generally taken during first semester of practicum.
UG 489 Field Work Practicum Variable cr. (R 10) Offered every
term. Prereq., SW 360 and approved application to practicum coordinator.
Practicum must be taken over two consecutive semesters for a total
of 10 credits. Minimum of one credit per semester. Cumulative grade
average of 2.75 or above in SW 100S, 200, 300, 350 and 360 and a 3.0
grade average for SW 200, 350 and 360 are required. Supervised field
work in public and private agencies and institutions. During one semester
of practicum, students must enroll in SW 488. Successful completion
of the field work practicum requires a passing performance on the
departmentally administered professional social work competency examination.
U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R 10) Offered intermittently. Prereq.,
10 credits in social work. Independent work under the University omnibus
option. See index.
UG 494 Seminar Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently. Prereq.,
9 credits in social work.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 6) Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 500 Orientation 1 cr. Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program.
Seminar introducing M.S.W. students to program philosophy and social
work's theory and value base.
G 505 Foundations of Social Work Practice 2 cr. Prereq., admission
to M.S.W. program. Introductory practice course that examines generalist
social work practice, dominant theoretical influences, and forces
shaping social work over time.
G 510 Human Behavior and Social Environment I 3 cr. Prereq.,
admission to M.S.W. program. Introduction to and critical consideration
of social work perspectives on human behavior as influenced by the
social environment. Particular attention is paid to diversity of human
experience, power relations, and processes of oppression.
G 511 Human Behavior and Social Environment II: Difference, Diversity
and Oppression 3 cr. Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program and
SW 510 or consent of instr. Advanced course on human behavior and
social environment that addresses difference and diversity, histories
and mechanisms of discrimination and oppression, and frameworks for
thought and practice that recognize diversity and promote social justice.
G 515 Practice with Individuals and Families in a Community Context
4 cr. Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr.
Practice-oriented course building on students' developing knowledge
of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation and the application
to practice with individuals and families in context of community.
G 520 Social Work Research Methods 3 cr. Prereq., admission
to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Introduction to principles,
methodologies, technologies, and statistical approaches of human service
research. Emphasis on beginning capabilities in evaluation of social
work practice and skill development regarding use of published research.
G 521 Advanced Research and Program Evaluation 3 cr. Prereq.,
SW 515. The use of research within the integrated practice model of
social work through evaluation of practice and program evaluation.
Advanced statistical concepts are applied to direct practice and five
types of program evaluation.
G 525 Practice with Groups and Communities 4 cr. Prereq., admission
to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Practice-oriented course addressing
theories, frameworks, principles, and skills of group and community
work. Dynamics of group work and examination of modalities such as
mutual aid and social action groups.
G 530 History of Social Policy, Justice and Change 3 cr. Prereq.,
admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Foundation in social
welfare policy and services; examination of relationship between history
social welfare policy and emergence of social work profession. Introduction
to frameworks for policy analysis.
G 531 Methods of Social Policy Analysis 3 cr. Prereq., SW 530.
Focus on the analysis of existing or proposed policies specific to
oppressed populations, rural areas and small communities.
G 535 Advanced Integrated Practice 4 cr. Prereq., consent of
instr. Builds on the skills, knowledge, and values of the foundation
generalist and practice courses.
G 545 Practice of Organizational Leadership 4 cr. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Advanced training in professional leadership and
how to effectively conceive, plan, design, implement, manage, assess,
and change contemporary organizations.
G 576 Foundation Integrative Seminar I 1 cr. Prereq., admission
to M.S.W. program, SW 505, 587; coreq., SW 589. Seminar accompanying
first semester foundation practicum in which students discuss experience
with goal of integrating theory and practice.
G 577 Foundation Integrative Seminar II 1 cr. Prereq., admission
to M.S.W. program, SW 505, 587; coreq., SW 589. Seminar accompanying
second semester foundation practicum in which students discuss experience
with goal of integrating theory and practice.
G 578 Advanced Integrative Seminar I 1 cr. Prereq., SW 586;
coreq., SW 588. Critical analysis of how predominant social work theories
and professional values and skills are being incorporated into the
practicum.
G 579 Advanced Integrative Seminar II 1 cr. Prereq., SW 578;
coreq., SW 589. Critical analysis of how predominant social work theories
and professional values and skills are being incorporated into the
practicum.
G 586 Foundation Practicum I 2 cr. Prereq., admission to M.S.W.
program; coreq., SW 586. First semester foundation field practicum
experience in a supervised setting designed to provide opportunities
to integrate classroom learning and field experiences.
G 587 Foundation Practicum II 2 cr. Prerq., admission to M.S.W.
program, SW 505, 587; coreq., SW 588. Second semester foundation field
practicum experience in a supervised setting designed to provide opportunities
to integrate classroom learning and field experiences.
G 588 Concentration Practicum I 2 cr. Prereq., SW 587, 589;
coreq., SW 578. Advanced supervised field work in public and private
agencies and institutions.
G 589 Concentration Practicum II 2 cr. Prereq., SW 588; coreq.,
SW 579. Advanced supervised field work in public and private agencies
and institutions.
G 593 Professional Portfolio 1 cr. (R-2) Prereq., foundation
courses. Summative and in-depth written analysis of course work and
practicum experience.
G 594 Graduate Seminar 3 cr. (R-9) Offered autumn or spring.
Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. In-depth
analysis of a current social work issue.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered autumn and
spring. Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R-9) Offered autumn or
spring. Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr.
Work on selected problems by individual students under direct faculty
supervision.
G 597 Research Variable cr. (R-9) Offered autumn or spring.
Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Directed
individual graduate research and study appropriate to background and
objectives of the student.
Faculty back
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Professors
Mary Birch, M.S.W., Columbia University, 1966 (Emeritus)
Frank W. Clark, Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1969 (Emeritus)
Robert L. Deaton, Ed.D., University of Nevada, Reno, 1980 (Emeritus)
Cynthia L. Garthwait, M.S.S.W., University of Wisconsin, Madison,
1974 (Chair)
Charles R. Horejsi, Ph.D., University of Denver, 1971
John C. Spores, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1976
Associate Professor
Janet Finn, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1995
Assistant Professors
Maxine Jacobson, Ph.D., University of Utah, 1997
Ryan Tolleson Knee, Ph.D., University of Denver, 1999
David Schantz, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1996
Adjunct Assistant Professors
Iris HeavyRunner, M.S.W., University of Minnesota, 1991
Charlie Wellenstein, M.S.W., Eastern Washington University, 1991