Eastern Nazarene College: Prospective Students: Undergraduate: Academics

Degree Offered
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Accreditation
The Council of Social Work Education accredits the Social Work Program at the baccalaureate level.

Program Advantages
The social work program at ENC is one of 11 baccalaureate programs in Massachusetts that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This gives the program three distinct advantages:

First , it means that the program offers a relevant curriculum that complies with national standards for the profession of social work.
Second, it means that ENC graduates may apply to be professionally licensed in many states.
Third, it is possible for qualifying students to enter a Masters in Social Work degree program with an advanced standing status, which means that you would be able to complete the graduate degree in one year instead of the customary two years.

The social work major is administered by the Department of Social Work and offers you an outstanding program of academic and professional preparation. The Department of Social Work at ENC is a member of the National Phi Alpha Honor Society; this organization promotes excellence in scholarship and service in areas of social work. Whether you choose to enter graduate studies or to pursue employment in a variety of human services settings after graduation, your professional degree from ENC will open a wide variety of possibilities to you as a generalist social worker.

The mission of the Social Work Department at Eastern Nazarene College is to provide a liberal arts education as a foundation to prepare graduates for entry-level generalist social work practice, and/or to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s Degree in, Social Work. With Jesus Christ as the example of true servanthood, students will be guided by Christian principles and the congruent values and ethics espoused by the profession. The overriding emphasis is to enhance or restore the social functioning of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities, and promote social and economic justice.

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Degree Requirements

In addition to the Liberal Arts Core requirements, students in Social Work must take the following courses:

• SW112 Introduction to Social Work

• SW201 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I

• SW202 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II

• SW324 Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families

• SW411 Social Policy Analysis

• SW425 Generalist Practice with Groups

• SW426 Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities

• SW427 Field Practicum I/Seminar

• SW428 Field Practicum II/Seminar

• SW 429 Field Practicum III/Seminar

• SO110 Introduction to Sociology

• SO212 Human Diversity*

• SO351 Methods of Social Research

• PS110 Introduction to Psychology**

• PS251 Statistics for the Social Sciences***

• GO210 American Political Institutions**

• BA499 Seminar in Business: Economics for Social Work

• BI101 Principles of Biology****

• Variable Electives chosen in consultation with the advisor

Electives may include courses in the fields of psychology, sociology, economics, philosophy, religion, and education, in addition to social work.

*This course may be counted as the Intercultural Literacy Option for the Core requirements.

**These courses may be counted as the Social Science Options.

***This course may be counted as the Math Option.

****This course may be counted as the Lab Science Option.

Additional Courses in the Department of Social Work are as follows:

• SW245 Moving Toward Personhood

• SW312 Marriage & Family Relations

• SW331 Substance Abuse

• SW332 Child Welfare

• SW490 Independent Study in Social Work

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Course Descriptions

SW112 Introduction to Social Work
An examination of social work as a comprehensive helping profession with particular attention placed on the emergence of social work; the value, knowledge, and skill bases of the profession; practice settings; and the role and tasks of the helping professional. Issues in current practice are identified.

SW201 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Study of the broad context of human behavior as it impacts and is impacted by social systems, explored in a descending order of magnitude: culture and society, communities and organizations, groups, and families. These systems are viewed as conceptual tools for social work practice. Systems theory is introduced, and the role of social forces as shapers of human behavior is emphasized. The lifespan phases presented include childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Open to all majors.
Prerequisites: PS110, SO110 (at least concurrently)

SW202 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
This course focuses on the broad context of human behavior as it impacts and is impacted by social systems: culture and society, communities and organizations, groups, and families. In the second part of this two-semester course, the lifespan phases presented are middle adulthood and later adulthood. Special Topics include ethnocentrism and racism, gender roles and sexism, and sexual orientation. Open to all majors.
Prerequisites: PS110, SO110 (at least concurrently)

SW245 Moving Toward Personhood
Using a mixture of small group exercises, role-plays, and self-assessment tools, this course attempts to guide a student's development of his/her own answers to questions about personal identity and relationships with others. Skills are taught to promote life long learning and introspection about the issues of changes over the lifespan, balance amid conflicting priorities, authenticity in relationships, and life goals.

SW312 Marriage and Family Relations
This course explores contemporary marriage and family relations in our changing society. Utilizing a developmental framework, it focuses on the tasks that individuals, couples, and families must accomplish at different points during the family life cycle and the crises with which they may be challenged. Students are introduced to the kinds of skills and support that assist people as they form and maintain the most important relationships.

SW324 Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families
Emphasizes key practice skills in areas utilized in intervention with individuals and family client systems.
Prerequisites: SW112, SW201, or equivalents. Open only to social work majors who are candidates for baccalaureate degree in social work

SW331 Substance Abuse
Provides students with an overview of substance abuse from a systems perspective. Explores the major theories of addiction, the physiological and psychological results of substance abuse, commonly used substances and their effects, and the latest treatment developments and research findings. Cross-listed as PS331. Offered alternate years.

SW332 Child Welfare
Provides students with an overview of the various social issues and systems that impact the welfare of children from a historical, theoretical, and practice perspective. Explores the various social issues children face and the services that are available to them. Emphasizes various diverse populations in relation to the social issues and systems addressed in the course. Offered alternate years.

SW411 Social Policy Analysis
Offers students an opportunity to develop a set of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes in the area of social work policy practice. It fosters an understanding for the development, implementation, and assessment of policy in legislation, agencies, and communities.
Prerequisite: GO210 or faculty permission

SW425 Generalist Practice with Groups
Part II of a sequence emphasizing the mastery of entry-level professional practice skills. This course builds on the framework introduced in Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families, and focuses on the direct service role of the practitioner. Major course emphases include development of competencies in relationship building, interviewing, and documenting in intervention with single and multiple client systems. The role of group work in direct services practice is explored.
Prerequisite: SW324 or equivalent. Open only to Social Work Majors

SW426 Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities
Part III of a sequence emphasizing the mastery of entry-level professional practice skills. This course teaches the use of social work intervention to accomplish change in larger systems, such as communities and other action systems. Also examines analysis of interacting factors affecting problem situations and development of strategies for change. Practice integration is emphasized.
Prerequisite: SW324, SW425. Open only to Social Work Majors

SW427 Field Practicum I/Seminar Sixteen hours a week of entry level social work practice in a prearranged social service agency. Focuses on assuming professional responsibilities, becoming oriented to the agency, assessing and planning intervention in cases/projects. Seminars held on relevant topics periodically during semester.
Prerequisites: Senior standing and program screening interview. Open only to Social Work Majors who are candidates for the baccalaureate degree in Social Work

SW428 Field Practicum II/Seminar
During this 2 credit January term course, students continue to enhance their practice skills in their practicum settings. In addition, a seminar is held on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite: SW427. Open only to Social Work Majors who are candidates for the baccalaureate degree in Social Work.

SW429 Field Practicum III/Seminar
Builds on the experiences of the first two Field Practicum courses. Students undertake more active advocacy roles for clients, will evaluate intervention efforts, and terminate with clients. Seminars are held on relevant topics periodically during the semester.
Prerequisites: SW427, SW428. Open only to Social Work Majors who are candidates for the baccalaureate degree in Social Work.

SW490 Independent Study in Social Work
Open to qualified juniors and seniors who wish to undertake an in-depth study of a practice related content area.

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Social Work Department
Eastern Nazarene College | 23 East Elm Avenue
Quincy, Massachusetts 02170
Phone: 617-745-3564 | Email: Social Work Department Head