MSW690 Capstone (3 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): All courses should be completed at the time of enrollment, with the exception of MSW683  and MSW electives, which can be taken concurrently.
This course provides a foundation for self-directed, integrative professional development in social work. In this course, learners integrate social work practice knowledge, skills, and identity in an agency-based intervention proposal grounded in the literature and integrated with their field experience. Learners synthesize evidence about practice strengths and growth needs, propose an intervention to achieve a clear practice improvement goal and apply best practice and research principles in the evaluation of the process. This course culminates with the completion of a Capstone paper and a research presentation showcasing the learner’s social work practice knowledge and skills and their ability to integrate these in a real-life practice setting.

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

1.    Incorporate research skills and the professional community to develop a bibliography of appropriate resources from published and expert practitioner sources. 

2.    Situate one’s mastery of practice knowledge, skills, or attitudes as contributions to the social work profession. 

3.    Demonstrate professional tolerance for ambiguity in practice and the requisite problem-solving skills relevant to these situations. 

4.    Apply professional writing skills for a scholarly audience and purpose, including drafting and editing. 

5.    Synthesize scholarly, evidence-based resources, using discipline specific citation style.

6.    Construct a professional self-care plan aimed at enhancement of well-being and sustainability in the profession.