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Undergraduate Catalog

Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, and Social Work

Interim Chairperson: Dr. Eric C. Sheffield
Office: WIU—Quad Cities, Riverfront Campus, Moline IL 61265
Telephone: (309) 762-1876
Fax: (309) 762-6989
Email: EC-Sheffield@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/counselored

Program Offerings and Locations

  • Bachelor of Social Work: Macomb

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes .

Faculty

Alexander-Albritton, Allwardt, Beck, Brines, Brinser, Davis, Hancks, McLean, Nikels, O’Ryan, Perone, Peterman, Smith Okon, Wikoff, Zellmann.

GradTrac

GradTrac is available to Social Work majors. See more information about GradTrac.

Honors Curriculum

Academically qualified students in this department are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Honors in the Major, or General Honors. All Honors students must complete the one-hour honors colloquium (G H 299). General Honors includes General Honors coursework. Honors in the Major includes honors work in the major. University Honors combines Honors in the Major and General Honors. View more information about honors curricula or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/Honors.

Department Information

The Department of Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, and Social Work offers an undergraduate degree in Social Work as well as graduate degree programs for students interested in pursuing careers in the counseling or college student personnel professions. Specializations offered include Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Professional School Counseling, Student Affairs, and Higher Education Leadership.

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The B.S.W. prepares students as generalist social workers for entry-level professional employment in social service agencies, providing services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, neighborhoods, and communities. Generalist social workers serve children, adolescents, adults, and elderly persons with a variety of needs. The Social Work curriculum provides students with the opportunity to obtain the knowledge, values, and skills needed for beginning professional practice and for continuation of their studies at the graduate level. This curriculum is built upon and integrates the liberal arts through the basic University General Education requirements.

Pre-Social Work

Initially, all students entering the Social Work degree program are classified as Pre-Social Work majors. Enrollment in the Pre-Social Work program does not guarantee acceptance as a candidate for the Bachelor of Social Work degree.

To be accepted as a Social Work major and a candidate for the Bachelor of Social Work degree, students must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Complete SW 100 or transfer equivalent with a final grade of C or better. Complete, be registered in, or have a plan of study in place for BIOL 100, ENG 180, PSY 100, and SOC 100.
  2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.00 overall.
  3. Complete the Social Work Program application materials and have a personal interview with a member of the Social Work faculty. See the application materials for further information.
  4. Be accepted, on the basis of the application process, by the Social Work faculty. If the application is denied, the student has the right to appeal to the chairperson. The department will consider the appeal as a committee of the whole.

Questions about the admissions process should be directed to the Social Work advisor.

Social Work Degree Candidancy

Candidates for the Bachelor of Social Work degree must satisfy the following requirements for graduation:

  1. Meet the requirements stated above.
  2. Meet the University and program General Education course requirements for graduation.
  3. Obtain a grade of C or better in every graded SW course.
  4. Achieve a minimum 2.50 grade point average for all SW courses prior to enrolling in the practicum course, SW 480.
  5. Earn a minimum 2.50 SW grade point average at the conclusion of SW 480.
  6. Demonstrate professional knowledge, values, and skills after formal admission to the program and throughout the practicum. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.

Students must maintain good standing in the major after admission. Students must complete 100 volunteer or work hours in the social services field, as described in the application materials. Students will not be able to successfully complete SW 440 without completion of the 100 hours prior to SW 440. Students must successfully complete an evaluation of professional practice behaviors in SW 315 and SW 440 to continue enrollment in the Social Work degree program.

Bachelor of Social Work

All students seeking the Bachelor of Social Work must complete I, II, III, IV, and V below, and the Multicultural Perspectives requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h. A grade of C or better is required in all graded Social Work (SW) courses. Social Work students must complete a one-semester practicum in a social service agency to gain experience in Social Work practice. The practicum is a closely supervised learning experience that helps prepare students for beginning level practice.

  1. University General Education Curriculum: 37 s.h.
    (To include: BIOL 100, COMM 241, 6 s.h. of Math/Science courses, a Foreign Language course or an additional Multicultural course, lower division Philosophy course, POLS 122, PSY 100, and SOC 100)
  2. Core Courses: 48 s.h.
    SW 100, 212, 213, 312, 313, 315, 316†, 325, 380, 415, 425, 440, 480
  3. Departmental Electives: 6 s.h.
    Select 6 s.h. from the following: SW 330, 331, 332, 335, 336, 338, 340, 341, 342, 345, 496
  4. Minors or Open Electives: 23 s.h.
  5. Other: 6 s.h.
    1. Additional General Education Social Sciences course: 3 s.h.
    2. Additional General Education Humanities course: 3 s.h.

# The Multicultural Perspectives graduation requirement may be fulfilled by successfully completing one of the following: 1) a designated foreign language requirement; 2) any course designated as Multicultural; or 3) an approved Study Abroad program.

† SW 316 fulfills the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement.

Course Descriptions

COLLEGE STUDENT PERSONNEL (CSP)

445 The University and the Student. (2) Studies the mores, membership influence, commitment, expression, and governance of the college community, characteristics of a college student, and the relationship of these to personal, social, and intellectual development.

450 Workshop in Residence Student Development. (1) Examines factors affecting student growth and development in the university community, current problems facing students, and the use of group processes and leadership training in solving problems and facilitating community awareness.

COUNSELOR EDUCATION (CN)

433 Special Problems in Counseling. (1, repeatable for different titles) Designed to provide a group of students an opportunity for further professional growth and to apply problem solving approaches in dealing with specific issues. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing, or permission of department chair. Graded S/U only.

SOCIAL WORK  (SW)

100 Introduction to Social Work. (3) An introduction to professional values, ethics, history, policies, services, and fields of Social Work practice, emphasizing generalist Social Work. Twenty-five volunteer hours required. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum.

212 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I. (3) An exploration of human development theories in the context of biological, physical, psychological, social, and cultural environments that help shape behavior. The focus is on conception through adolescence. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: SW 100 (C grade or better); BIOL 100; or consent of instructor.

213 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II. (3) An exploration of human development theories in the context of biological, physical, psychological, social, and cultural environments that help shape behavior. The focus is on young adulthood through late adulthood. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: SW 212 (C grade or better); or consent of instructor.

312 Social Work Research Methodology. (3) The first of a two-course research sequence preparing students to be effective and ethical consumers and producers of research. Application of qualitative and quantitative methods for direct practice and program evaluation. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: SW 100 (C grade or better) or consent of instructor.

313 Social Work Research Statistics. (3) The second of a two-course sequence. An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses for the assessment of practice and program effectiveness. Data analysis is conducted with statistical software. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: SW 312 (C grade or better); completion of math competency or consent of instructor.

315 Generalist Social Work Practice I. (4) Provides knowledge, values, and skills needed in the generalist method of Social Work, focusing on working with individuals. A concurrent lab provides skill development. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 212 (C grade or better); permission of advisor. Corequisite: SW 316.

316 Case ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ in Social Work. (3) An introduction to case management as a Social Work function. Theories and models of case management will be studied and case management skills will be developed. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 212 (C grade or better); ENG 180 and 280; and permission of advisor. Corequisite: SW 315.

325 Social Welfare Policy. (3) Study of the formulation and implementation of social welfare policy and its impact on all system levels. Policies are analyzed for their philosophical foundations, populations served, and social and political implications. Policy models, implementation strategies, and budgetary constraints are examined. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: SW 100 (C grade or better); or consent of instructor.

330 Child and Family Services. (3) An introduction to theories, policies, and practices in child welfare. Current trends in protective services, family preservation, adoption, and substitute care will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

331 Social Work and Addictions. (3) An introduction to addictions and their effects on individuals, families, and society. Current theories, treatments, and Social Work roles and functions will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

332 Social Work with Aging Persons. (3) An introduction to working with persons as they age and as their circumstances change. Social Work roles and personal, familial, and societal implications of aging will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

335 Domestic Violence and Social Work Intervention. (3) An introduction to major topics in the area of domestic violence. Definitions, warning signs, use of appropriate Social Work services, and prevention will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

336 Medical Social Work. (3) An introduction to a generalist Social Work perspective of medical Social Work. Theoretical perspectives integrated within medical Social Work will be discussed within a practice-oriented learning environment. Specific skills required in medical Social Work will be emphasized and practiced. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

338 Social Work and Mental Health. (3) Introduction to mental health; impact of mental illness on individuals, families, and society; roles and functions of social workers in mental health services. Introduction to the DSM V will be provided. Focus will be on generalist Social Work. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

340 Topics in Social Work. (3, repeatable to 6 for different topics) Varied topics of interest to Social Work and other human service majors. Topics might include diversity, advocacy, spirituality, political activity, criminal justice issues, professional ethics, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

341 Social Work in Child Welfare I. (3) An introduction to child welfare policies and practices in the State of Illinois and the United States. Issues of child maltreatment and related social issues will be studied. Prerequisite: SW 100 with a grade of C or above and junior standing, or consent of instructor.

342 Social Work in Child Welfare II. (3) Study of current child welfare topics and the role of the social work profession in serving children and families involved in the child welfare system. Prerequisite: SW 341 with a grade of C or above.

345 Investigation in Social Work. (1–6, repeatable to 6) Investigation into a specific area of Social Work that requires more intense study of longer duration. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

380 Social Justice and Diversity. (3) (Multicultural) Explores how societies and their cultures’ structures and values may oppress, discriminate, or create or enhance power. Develops skills to engage in socially just professional practice with diverse populations. Prerequisites: Social Work major and SW 100 (C grade or better); or consent of instructor.

415 Generalist Social Work Practice II. (3) Covers the theory and skills of the generalist method of Social Work. Its focus is on families and small groups. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 315 (C grade or better); SW 316 (C grade or better).

425 Generalist Social Work Practice III. (3) Covers the theory and skills of the generalist method of Social Work. Its focus is 
on organizations, communities, society, and international issues. Thirty hours of community service required. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 315 (C grade or better); SW 316 (C grade or better).

440 Pre-Practicum. (1) Prepares majors for the practicum. Content includes resume preparation; investigation of agency placement opportunities; interviews for placement; overview of ethical, safety, and liability issues; and the role of participants as adult learners. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 315 (C grade or better); permission of the director of Field Education.

480 Generalist Social Work Practicum. (13) An educational experience in an agency setting that offers practical application of Social Work knowledge, values, and skills. A concurrent integrative seminar provides opportunities for discussion and direction from the instructor. A grade of C or better is required to graduate. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 415 (C grade or better); SW 425 (C grade or better); SW 440 (C grade or better); 2.50 GPA in the major; completion of all other required Social Work courses (C grade or better); being within 20 s.h. of completion of degree; permission of the Direction of Field Education and chairperson.

496 Senior Honors Thesis in Social Work. (3–6, repeatable to 6) Thesis research under the direction of at least two Social Work faculty members on a topic of mutual agreement. Minimum of 3 s.h. required for honors. Prerequisite: approval of departmental honors advisor.

499 Senior Assessment Exam. (0) An exam that all social work majors must take at the completion of SW 480. This exam assesses the knowledge gained through completing the social work curriculum. Completion of the exam will result in a grade of S. Prerequisites: Social Work major; senior standing. Corequisite: SW 480. Graded S/U only.