VAC CONCENTRATION SELECTION

INFORMATION PACKET

2015-16

I.Introduction

Messagefrom the Executive ViceDean ofAcademicStudent Affairs

II.Concentrations

CommunityOrganization, Planningand Administration(COPA)

Familiesand Children

Health

Mental Health

Social Work Business in a Global Society

III.Sub-Concentrations

Military Social Work and Veteran Services

School Social Work

Older Adults

IV.FieldPlacementProcess

Frequently Asked Questions

V.Form

Concentration SelectionForm (Onlinesubmission,not included)

VI.Appendices

  1. Curriculum Snapshot
  2. Concentration Contact Information
  3. Regional Map

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UPDATED 4/28/15

School Of Social Work

R. Paul Maiden, PhD

Executive Vice Dean and Professor

Dear MSW Students:

Congratulations on your acceptance into the MSW@USC program! The information in this packet will help you to make the most informed choice based on your individual interests and career aspirations. We offer five concentrations and three sub-concentrations. You need to select one concentration,and you can select one sub-concentration. Each concentration has three required courses and three elective options. SOWK 611 Leadership in the Social Work Profession and Organization is also required of all students in the MSW program. If you select a sub-concentration, you must be sure that you take the courses required for that specific sub-concentration. When in doubt, please consult with yourStudent Support Advisor who can answer your specific questions.

Not sure about which concentration to select? I can assure you that they are all excellent! This is one of the unique aspects of a USC MSW degree. First and foremost, you are training for professional social work. Regardless of which concentration you select, your MSW degree will open doors and provide access to professional employment opportunities in a wide range of fields practice.

Whatshould I expect in theConcentrationYear?

Theworld is quicklychanging, ourprofession is changing,and ourConcentration curriculumhas been developed to anticipate andrespond to these changes. Social workersare called upon to respond to the conditions ofa rapidlychanging world. New problems, changingpopulations, arenas ofactivity, and new social, economic, and political contexts requirepractitioners who arenotonlyknowledgeable,ethical, and skilled, but also confident, innovative, and resourceful. Graduates ofUSC’s MSWprogram will be appreciative ofthehistoric commitments of theprofession; skilled in employing technology,current knowledge and best practices; resilient enough to weather and succeed in inhospitable environments;and savvyenough to foresee andrespond to emergingtrends.

Our curriculumfocusesontheknowledge andskills thatwill educatestudents to:

 work with populations and problems in largemulticultural urbanareas in theUS and aroundtheworld;

 be culturallycompetent,understandingthe impactof globalization and bi-culturalism;

 think criticallyto analyzeand solveproblems;

 anticipate, assessand respond to emergingsocial issues;

 cross boundaries, thinkingandactingacross levels, disciplines, theoretical orientations,and arenas of practice;

 employeffectivelymultiple changestrategies with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and at thelevel of social policy;

 draw from diverseknowledgebasesfrom social work and allied disciplines, practicingwith therecognition of current researchfindings;

 use technologyskillfullywith clients, residents, other professionals, other disciplines, and decisionmakers;

 advancethe cause of social economicjusticenationallyand internationally; and

 lead social work innovation at thelocal, national,and global levels.

Students should keep these 3 things in mind:

1. In the concentration year all students must take three (3) required concentration courses and a complete a concentration specific field placement (i.e., your selection of Concentration determines the 3 required concentration courses you will take and the type of agency placement appropriate for you). Sub-concentrations have other required courses.

2. Students work with their Regional Field Placement Teamto develop their agency field placement based on their unique interests and experiences. Though the Field Team will work within the community to identify an appropriate placement for all students, we are reliant on the willingness of the agency to host students and therefore, we do not guarantee a certain type of placement. Students are encouraged to be considerate of this limitation when selecting a concentration and requesting certain types of agencies, settings, or populations.

3. All students takeSOWK 611:Leadership in theSocial Work Profession.

What choices do I haveintheConcentrationYear?

The concentrationyearMSWcurriculumoffersstudents theopportunityto studyinone offive substantial concentrations:

CommunityOrganization, Planningand Administration

Familiesand Children

Mental Health

  • Health
  • Social Work Business in a Global Society

Inadditionto the concentrations indicated above, you also may choose (not required) one of the following sub-concentrationsin the following areas:

MilitarySocial Work and Veteran Services (open sub-concentration thatcan bepursued with any concentration)

School Social Work sub-concentration is available for Family & Children concentration students only. A school placement needs to be secured in order to confirm your sub-concentration. Please consult your regional field team for the specific requirement.

  • Older Adult sub-concentrationwill be available for VAC students from all concentrations. Please consult with your regional field team for specific course requirements.

Determining which electives best fit your concentration?

There areseveralelectiveoptions in theVACprogram. You are encouraged to consider allof the electives thatareoffered; it is important to note that electives are typicallyoffered based on student interest and class size. Howeverwehavedeveloped a categoryof electives calledSelectivesas a wayofhelpingyou target whichelectives are mostcloselyaligned withyourareaof concentration. You willfind theselisted in each ofthe concentration information sections in this packet. We also offer a significant number of electives that while not necessarily concentration-specific are quite unique and interesting.

Pleasenote: Mental Health concentration studentsMUSTtakeseveral “prescribedelectives.” The VAC Registrar or your Student Support Advisor canidentifythese for you.

What about part-time students?

Part-time students can continue to pursue their degree by enrolling for either 6 or 8 semesters. Six semester students will follow theconcentration curriculum depicted in Appendix A. Eight semester students will take

two courses (required concentration courses or the Leadership course) plus field each term during semesters five and six, and then the three electives during semesters seven and eight.

For your reference, a concentration contact list has been provided in the back of this packet (see Appendix C). Please feel freeto ask questions during this selection process. Wewant to helpyou makethe best choicepossible foryour interestsand learning!

R. Paul Maiden, PhD,LCSW

Executive ViceDean and Professor Academicand Student Affairs

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UPDATED 4/28/15

II.CONCENTRATION OPTIONS

COMMUNITYORGANIZATION,PLANNING& ADMINISTRATION(COPA)

AnnalisaEnrile,PhD, Chair

Murali Nair, PhD, MSW, Co-Chair

Renee Smith-Maddox, PhD, VAC Co-Coordinator

Ruth White, PhD, MPH, MSW, VAC Co-Coordinator

FAMILIESCHILDREN

MichalSelaAmit,PhD,Chair

Jacquelyn McCroskey, DSW, MSW, Co-Chair

Tyan Parker Dominguez, PhD, MPH, MSW,VAC Co-Coordinator

Mary Beth Harris, PhD, VAC Co-Coordinator

HEALTH

IrisChi, DSW, GoldenAge AssociationFrancesWuChair forChinese

ElderlyandDirectorof China Program,Chair

Dawn Joosten, PhD, LCSW, Co-Chair

Karra Bikson, PhD, LCSW, VAC Coordinator

MENTALHEALTH

Shannon Mayeda,PhD,LCSW,CRADC,Chair

Dorian Traube, PhD, MSSW, Co-Chair

Estela Andujo, PhD, LCSW, VAC Co-Coordinator

Eileen Abel, PhD, VAC Co-Coordinator

SOCIAL WORK & BUSINESS IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY

Beverly Younger,PhD,LCSW, Clinical Associate Professor, Chair

MichàlleMor Barak, PhD, Lenore Stein-Wood and William S. Wood Professor in Social Work and Business in a Global Society, Co-Chair

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COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, PLANNING, & ADMINISTRATION (COPA)

This concentration is designed to preparestudentsto function as mid-leveladministrators, planners, program developers, andcommunityorganizers. TheCOPA facultyarecommitted to aphilosophythat views macro-practice ascentral to the development of servicesand the well-beingofcommunities in urban settings. Studentswilldevelop skills in policypractice, managementand finance, program development and evaluation, and communityorganizing.

ConcentrationRequirements

TheCOPA Concentration offers a coreset ofrequiredcourses that provide advanced knowledgeofmacro practice,researchskills, and leadership. Inthis concentrationallstudents arerequired to take the followingthreecore courses: SOWK 629, 639 and 648 (refer to descriptions below) alongwith SOWK 611 and SOWK 686a/b.

SOWK629: EvaluationofResearch: Community Organization, Planning andAdministration

This courseis designed to introducestudents to different research methods for assessingmacro-practices and social work programs. The following areas ofresearch practice are examined in depth: qualitative research for assessingprograms and practicemethods, participatoryaction research, program evaluation models and needs assessment. Additionally, this coursewillintroducestudents to usemapping and census data for understandingcommunities and services in an urban context.

SOWK639: SocialPolicy for MacroPractitioners: Policy andthePolitics ofReform

This courseis designed to provide askillbase foradvanced macro-practitioners who willbe expected to originate,respond to andimplement policies at local, State, and Federal levels. Students learn to apply skills in policyanalysis,political advocacy,and planningsocial justiceactions relevant to macro-level practices. The course is divided into modules, each of which addresses related aspects of reform and social justice in the human services.

SOWK648: Management forCommunity and Social Services

This courseis designed topreparestudents to function as mid-level macromanagersand community practitioners. Thecourseexamines the roles, functions, and responsibilitiesof social servicemanagers, includingsupervisor,communityorganizers, andproject planners workingin urban social work agencies. Topics to be covered include: communityand management practice; finance analysis;leadership skills andskills in developing strategic plans.

SOWK686a/b: FieldPracticum

This two-semester coursebuilds uponthe firstyear foundation fieldpracticum and concentrates on knowledge and skilldevelopment in macro practice.Students select field placements from avarietyof organizational systemsthat provide services to adults, children,youth, families, communities and/or providergroups. Students complete550 hours in this practicum, underthesupervision of an MSWand carefullyselected preceptor(s).Tasksand assignments aredesigned to exposestudents to and help them develop knowledgeand/orskills in: organizations, administration and planning, leadership development, fundingsources/budgets, needs assessment, grant writing, policyanalysis, media/marketing, program evaluation, political/legislative advocacy,and board/committeestructureand functions.

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SOWK611: LeadershipinProfessional SocialWorkandOrganizations

This courseis designed forstudents to learn advanced knowledge and skills to be effectiveleaders. Topics include motivation, leadership styles, power and influence, transformational leadership and leading change. Leadership can develop in all levels of the organization, various places in the community, from policymaker to policyadvocateand from established leaders to residents wanting to makeadifference.

Electives

Students will need to takeatotal ofthree3-unitelectives (total 9 units). Dependingon theirindividual plans, students can take electives from otherconcentrations includingclinical courses. Students are encouraged to takethe SOWK 673: Program DevelopmentandGrant Writingelective.

COPA Students DeveloptheFollowing Skills:

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  • Leadership
  • Organizational Analysis
  • PolicyAnalysis
  • Needs Assessment
  • Advocacy
  • Budgeting
  • MediaMarketing
  • Program Planning & Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Grant Writing
  • Special Events Fund Raising
  • Political Practice
  • Work with Boards/Committees
  • Supervisory
  • Administration &Management

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COPA Careers &Professional Development

Upon graduation, manyCOPAstudents find jobsin manytraditional and non-traditional social work practicesettings. Past COPA graduatesare currentlyemployed in professional roles as:

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  • PolicyAnalysts
  • LegislativeAides
  • Program Developers
  • Grant Writers
  • Program Directors and Administrators
  • Program Operations Managers
  • CommunityOrganizers
  • Professional Consultants
  • Fundraisingand Development Officers
  • Careers in Higher Education
  • Researchand Evaluation Professionals
  • Non-profit Program Managers

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As aCOPA graduate, thecareer possibilities arebroad and wide.

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FAMILIESANDCHILDRENCONCENTRATION

The Families and Children Concentration prepares students for strengths-based practice with children, youth, and adult family members within the context of multicultural urban communities. Designed around the “needs of a population” rather than a specific “setting or method,” the curriculum addresses a broad range of social, educational, health and mental health, economic, and social justice needs that affect families and children while acknowledging and promoting understanding of issues of diversity. Classroom curricula and field assignments are designed to prepare social workers for effective practice with families, in universal institutions like schools and early care and education settings, and in residual settings such as public child welfare and juvenile justice offices that deal with family and youth problems. The curriculum reflects a synthesis from theories supporting family-centered practice, work with children, adolescents, parents, and older adults in intergenerational family units, “best practice” principles, and knowledge derived from allied fields including neuroscience, child development, psychology, education, medicine, nursing and others. The primary focus of practice taught in the Families and Children Concentration is broad, ecologically based, family centered, and strength based. Recognizing the reality of practice in many field agencies and the needs of students preparing for licensing, the curriculum promotes and supports skill development in mental health assessment and diagnosis (utilizing the DSM IV-TR and DC: 0-3), and intervention and treatment of children, adolescents, and families.

FIRST CONCENTRATION SEMESTER – REQUIRED COURSES:

SOWK 601: Advanced Theories and Clinical Interventions with Children and Adolescents

This course advances both theoretical knowledge and clinical practice skills in working with children and adolescents, their families and social environments. Viewing the child in the context of his/her family and community, and using ecological, bio-psychosocial, attachment theory, neurobiological, and family systems perspectives, emphasis is placed on understanding factors contributing to the healthy growth and development of a child from neonatal care to young adulthood. The course prepares students to intervene to promote the healthy emotional, mental, educational and social development of children and adolescents. It focuses on understanding the roles of community, educational and familial contexts on problems affecting children. It also examines developmental derailments or disruptions resulting from abuse and neglect, trauma, and other mental health issues. Explanatory theories of behavior are presented at an advanced level, along with theories and EBI strength-based intervention in work with children and their families. Skill development is promoted in assessing children and the parent-child dyad and in utilization of the DSM IV-TR and the DC: 0-3 as diagnostic tools as well as implementing EBP and strengths-based interventions to promote resilience and healthy development of children and adolescents.

SOWK 611: Leadership

This course promotes the development of professionalism and the skills needed for social workers to assume positions of leadership within communities and at all levels of organizational operations.

SOWK 686a: Field Practicum

Students complete 550 hours total in this two-semester practicum focusing on knowledge and skill development in work with Families and Children utilizing both public and private social service agency settings. The field placement serves as the arena for the development of skills and the integration of knowledge in work with children, youth and adults in the context of family utilizing eco-systems theory as a primary framework. Students become aware of organizational and inter-organizational issues, the implication of research for practice and policy and an awareness of current issues, program and social policies affecting families and children.

SECOND CONCENTRATION SEMESTER – REQUIRED COURSES:

SOWK 602: Advanced Theory and Clinical Interventions with Families

This course provides students with knowledge on advanced work with families with a broad range of family structures from diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. The course focuses on advancing theoretical, evidence-based interventions and clinical practice skills in working with families. Utilizing an ecological perspective, the family is viewed as the unit of attention while recognizing the roles of policy, community and organizations in supporting the family’s well-being and resilience. The course also uses a family systems perspective and integrates theories of family development and family life cycle in understanding families. Interventions studied are strength-based and evidence-based and focus on prevention, early intervention and intervention with families. Students will advance their theoretical knowledge and clinical practice skills in working with families exhibiting difficulties such as immigration, homelessness, mental and physical illness, domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse. Emphasis is placed on empowering families and working with strength-based family therapy models as well as utilizing communal and organizational supports.

SOWK 603: Merging Policy, Planning, & Research for Change in Children & Family Services

This course is the capstone experience for the second semesterstudent in the Families and Children Concentration offering the student the opportunity to demonstrate a command of social welfare policy, practice and research skills by developing a client-centered grant proposal that responds to an unmet service need or community issue. The student will build on knowledge and skills acquired in the foundation year to cultivate specialized skills in program development, program evaluation, and grant writing pertinent to a wide variety of children and families service systems.

SOWK 686b: Field Practicum

A second semester continuation of SOWK 686a as described above.

Electives

Students may select for their three electives any of the elective courses offered by the school. Additionally, if space allows, students may select a core or required course from any of the other Concentrations as an elective or can choose to select a course from the university courses and outside of the School of Social Work if it is listed as 500 or above and after it has been approved by both their advisor and the Concentration Chair. The most frequently selected electives by students in this concentration include: SOWK 617: Substance Abuse; SOWK666: Domestic Violence; SOWK678: Child Maltreatment; SOWK668: Social Work and Law;

SOWK599: Play Therapy; SOWK685: Working with Adolescents; and SOWK692: Loss, Grief and Bereavement. Students also often participate in global and national immersion summer courses as part of their electives.

Clients Served

The concentration prepares students for strengths-based practice with children, youth and adults across the life span, living in a wide variety of family systems. Family strengthening supports and services are conceptualized in the context of communities and key support institutions such as parks, libraries, early childhood education, youth groups and other positively-oriented activities that may be caked upon to provide help and support for all kinds of families. Families who may face life challenges resulting from issues such as: poverty, social injustice, lack of education, school failure, lack of employment and employment skills, immigration and acculturation issues, mental illness, homelessness, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, community violence, substance abuse, and chronic and terminal illness. The Concentration prepares students to work with all kinds of family structures including traditional two parent families, single parent families, same sex parent families, extended and kin caregiver families, foster and adoptive families, as well as children living in group homes and residential care facilities or in transitional housing programs. Students will also learn to work with adults in parenting roles such as biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, guardians, mentors, and teachers as well as residential care providers. Because of the complex contexts of families living in the American society and the diversity of the United States population, special attention is given to diversity issues cultural responsiveness and cultural competence.