NGO Education Survey

College: Abilene Christian University

Department: School of Social Work (Bachelors)

Courses:

SOCW 245 – Foundations of Social and Economic Justice

Introduction to human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, including operational definitions and the ways they are manifested in the U.S. and globally. An justice; Avenues for advocating for human rights and justice.

SOCW 255 – Social Worker Observation

Students complete 40 hours of direct observation and service under the supervision of a social worker in the community agency of their choosing, with ACU School of Social approval. Synchronous and asynchronous online instruction to occur to facilitate reflection and response.

SOCW 441 – Social Policy

A descriptive, analytical, and theoretical study of historical and current social welfare policy at all levels, with a critical examination of the relationship between social work practice and the U.S. social welfare system, noting impact on well-being, human rights, and service delivery.

SOCW 442 – Policy Practice and Advocacy

Social work’s influence and active engagement in policy practice, which involves advocacy and evaluation. An examination of the political and ideological factors of policy development, implementation, and evaluation, including an analysis of the intended and unintended outcomes of policy implementation

SOCW 451 – Practice III: Communities and Organizations

Students will learn how to engage with, assess, and help organizations and communities using social work frameworks. The course will cover direct and indirect practice, finding effective large-scale solutions, organizing communities, building networks, and planning and advocating for change.

Department: School of Social Work (Masters)

Courses:

SOCW 641 – Social Policy Practice & Advocacy

Students will analyze social problems systematically, gain understanding of assistance programs and governmentsupported services, and promote policy practice with special attention to marginalized, racialized, disadvantaged, and oppressed groups in the U.S. The role of the economy, politics, and culture in policy development and implementation are also examined.

SOCW 655 – Practice III: Communities and Organizations

Students will explore concepts, theories, and empirically supported models for engaging, assessing, intervening, and evaluating organizations and communities. This course also focuses on understanding the context of direct and indirect practice, identifying evidence-informed macro interventions, community organizing, building key networks, and advocacy and planning in large scale contexts.

SOCW 667 – Practice-Informed Research in Social Work

Students are introduced to essential knowledge and skills needed for practitioners to understand the importance of research in practice when evaluating the impact of interventions and programs. This course focuses on providing practical, hands-on experience by critiquing empirical research articles, developing research designs, and practicing basic statistical analyses.

SOCW 744 – Nonprofit Management

Students will examine the differences between leadership and management from a social justice lens, explore frameworks of supervision, and introduce common components of nonprofit management including problem-solving, governance, fiscal responsibility, accountability, and the evaluation of organizational and program effectiveness.

SOCW 755 – Advanced Generalist Practice III: Communities & Organizations

Students will learn theory and application of intervention models applicable to communities and organizations, preparing them for assessment, intervention, and leadership at the macro practice level. Attention is given to the social justice and global implications of social work practice and the skills applicable to influencing policies at all levels.

SOCW 767 – Assessment & Evaluation of Social Work Practice

Students will examine strategies and methods for evaluating social work practice at the personal/practitioner level, the agency level, and the policy level. Emphasis is on design and implementation of methodologically sound approaches to the empirical evaluation of social work practice at the advanced level.

SOCW 781 – Advanced Practicum I

Students will gain experience in an agency applying knowledge, theory, and practice skills while developing competencies as an advanced generalist practitioner. Students complete 250 clock hours under the supervision of an agency-based supervisor and actively participate in a course facilitated by a faculty member.

SOCW 782 – Advanced Practicum II

Students will gain continued experience in an agency applying knowledge, theory, and practice skills while developing competencies as an advanced generalist practitioner. Students complete 250 clock hours under the supervision of an agencybased supervisor and actively participate in a course facilitated by a faculty member