MSW660 Social Work with Children and Adolescents (3 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): or Co-requisite: MSW650 
This elective course explores normative developmental concerns, mental health, and emotional and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Emphasis is placed on the impact of multisystemic issues such as trauma, poverty, and bias on children’s wellbeing and functioning.   Students are also introduced to several models for intervention with children and adolescents, including play therapy, child-centered family therapy, and group work.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Learn implications of the diversity of children’s developmental experiences on micro, mezzo, and macro levels, and apply a developmental lens to case formulation. (G2b; C2a)
2. Build self-awareness of and critically reflect on internalized and culturally reinforced assumptions and values regarding parenting, family structure, and the meaning of child behavior. (G2f; C2c)
3. Gain proficiency in assessment of child and adolescent-specific mental health symptoms and diagnoses, and awareness of contextual factors such as bias and systemic disparities which influence the impact of mental health diagnosis within these populations. (C7a; C7f)
4. Acquire knowledge of engagement and intervention strategies with children, adolescents, and their families which are culturally-responsive, empowering of families, and appropriate for a range of developmental differences and client preferences. (C6b; C7d; C7e; C8a)
5. Reflect on the particular skills and competencies necessary for social work with children and adolescents by integrating theory, recent research, and best practice standards. (C8b; C8c; C9c)
6. Analyze legislative, administrative, or organizational initiatives or policy changes that may affect children’s access to timely, affordable, high-quality interventions. (G3c; G5b; C5b)