D.S.W. Course Descriptions
Year one:
SWK7100 The History of Psychological Theory and Practice
3 semester hours
This course will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive overview of the
history, development and evolution of psychological theory and clinical practice.
No prerequisites.
Co-requisite: SWK7150.
SWK7150 The History of Clinical Social Work Knowledge and Practice
3 semester hours
This course will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive overview of
the history, development and evolution of clinical social work knowledge and
practice.
No prerequisites
Co-requisite: SWK7100.
SWK7200 Clinical Seminar One
6 semester hours
This first clinical seminar will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive
overview of the history, development and evolution of clinical social work knowledge
and practice with individual clients. The doctoral student will also be
involved in a clinical internship that runs concurrently with the academic course.
Prerequisites: SWK7100 and SWK7150.
Co-requisite: SWK7250.
SWK7250 History of Social Policy
3 semester hours
This course will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive overview and
critique of the history, development and evolution of social policy as it relates to
clinical social work practice.
Prerequisites: SWK7100 and SWK7150.
Co-requisite: SWK7200.
SWK7300 Clinical Seminar Two
6 semester hours
This second clinical seminar will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive
overview of the history, development and evolution of clinical social work
knowledge and practice with couples. The doctoral student will also be involved
in a clinical internship that runs concurrently with the academic course.
Prerequisites: SWK7100, SWK7150, SWK7200 and SWK7250.
Co-requisite: SWK7350.
SWK7350 Organizational Analysis
3 semester hours
This course will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive overview and
critique of the history, development and evolution of organizational theory as it
relates to the current state of clinical social work practice.
Prerequisites: SWK7100, SWK7150, SWK7200 and SWK7250.
Co-requisite: SWK7300.
Year Two:
SWK7400 Clinical Seminar Three
6 semester hours
This third clinical seminar will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive
overview of the history, development and evolution of clinical social work
knowledge and practice with families. The doctoral student will also be involved
in a clinical internship that runs concurrently with the academic course.
Prerequisites: SWK7100, SWK7150, SWK7200, SWK7250, SWK7300 and SWK7350.
Co-requisite: SWK7450.
SWK7450 Teaching Clinical Social Work Theory and Practice
3 semester hours
This didactic and experiential course will expose the doctoral student to the theory
and techniques necessary to teach advanced clinical social work theory and
practice in higher education.
Prerequisites: SWK7100, SWK7150, SWK7200, SWK7250, SWK7300 and SWK7350.
Co-requisite: SWK7400.
SWK7500 Clinical Seminar Four
6 semester hours
This fourth clinical seminar will provide the doctoral student with a comprehensive
overview of the history, development and evolution of clinical social work
knowledge and practice with groups. The doctoral student will also be involved
in a clinical internship that runs concurrently with the academic course. In this
clinical seminar, the doctoral student will develop the comprehensive paper used
in his or her clinical oral. Doctoral students will also use this course to help prepare
for the clinical oral through practice presentation in class.
Prerequisites: SWK7100, SWK7150, SWK7200, SWK7250, SWK7300, SWK7350,
SWK7400 and SWK7450.
SWK8810 Special Topics: D.S.W.
Electives
3 semester hour courses
9 total semester hours
The remaining three electives will consist of three 3-hour courses in an area
of the
doctoral student’s choosing. These courses must be approved by the doctoral
student’s advisor, and substantially relate to the overall dissertation plan,
i.e. be relevant
to the course of study and add to the expertise of the doctoral student’s
overall educational process. These could include Ed.D. courses from AU, as well
as other AU master’s-level courses that can be revised to meet doctoral
criteria for
content and assignment rigor. Coursework from institutions other than AU will
be
approved on a case by case basis by the DSW Program Director.
Prerequisites: Approval of Advisor; SWK7100, SWK7150, SWK7200, SWK7250,
SWK7300, SWK7350, SWK7400 and SWK7450.
Co-requisite: SWK7810.
Year Three:
SWK8100 Research Methodology I
3 semester hours
This course will acquaint the doctoral student with the knowledge and application
of research methodology in preparation for development of the dissertation proposal.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Clinical Oral and Comprehensive Exams.
Co-requisite: SWK8150.
SWK8150 Data Analysis
3 semester hours
This course will acquaint the doctoral student with the knowledge and application
of statistics for the study and research of social work treatment practices in support
of the development of evidence-based practice.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Clinical Oral and Comprehensive Exams.
Co-requisite: SWK8100.
SWK8200 Research Methodology II, Dissertation Planning
3 semester hours
In this course, the doctoral student will develop an initial dissertation proposal,
including formulating the research question, literature review, methodology
design, data analysis, human subjects protections procedures including consent
forms, IRB application, and agency or organizational approvals.
Prerequisites: SWK8100 and SWK8150.
Co-requisite: SWK8250.
SWK8250 Data Analysis II
3 semester hours
This course is intended to support the student in developing a competitive level
of statistical acumen in preparation for both finalizing the dissertation and engaging
in professional practice or academia.
Prerequisites: SWK8100 and SWK8150.
Co-requisite: SWK8200.
SWK8800 Dissertation Supervision
2-4 semester hours
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Clinical Oral and Comprehensive
Exam, SWK7500, SWK8200, SWK8250.
