Clinical DSW Program  

Course Descriptions

Clinical Theory I 
The purpose of this course is to broaden and deepen participants’ mastery of several theories of development, personality, and behavior that have contributed to social work’s knowledge base across the decades and continue to inform clinical social work epistemology today. Drawing primarily from original sources, we will consider key assumptions, constructs, and propositions of each theory in terms of its congruence with social work’s principles, values, and mission and in relation to the profession’s person-in-environment perspective. In this first semester, we will study the evolution of theories central to psychodynamic thought, from Freud’s early biological model of the mind, through various relational perspectives, to contemporary work in the fields of attachment and interpersonal neurobiology. This examination will constitute a case study of the manner in which theories are socially constructed and will lay the foundation for critical inquiry into the social and political biases inherent in the Western European intellectual tradition from which most theories of human behavior have emerged.

Clinical Theory II 
This course critically examines theories, perspectives, and frameworks informing clinical social work practice.  These theoretical perspectives provide means for practitioners to understand a client or client system in context and offer strategies for intervention.  The course begins by considering the development of social work practice theory thematically and from a historical perspective.  Practice theories that have contributed to the knowledge base of clinical social work practice will be examined within the social, political, and ideological contexts of their times and against the backdrop of the development of the profession. The course will explore debates within the profession (e.g., art vs. science; empirical practice vs. constructivism; what constitutes professionalism) and in related fields (modernism vs. postmodernism) and evaluate the discourse on these topics.  As the course moves into contemporary times, recent developments in clinical social work practice theory will be examined. Attention will be paid to factors that influence clinical social work practice now and are likely to influence the profession in the future.

Methods of Inquiry: Quantitative Research Methods
The purpose of this course is to teach the basics of practice research, with an emphasis on intervention research. This course will focus on research ethics, building a conceptual framework, source credibility, question and hypothesis formulation, design, sampling, measurement, and scale construction and selection. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of designing feasible and practical research studies to answer questions of importance to social work practice. The course will emphasize the selection and development of outcome measures, intervention manuals, and fidelity measures. It will closely examine the use and development of practice guidelines, evidence-based practice, and meta-analytic procedures.  

Methods of Inquiry: Qualitative Research Methods
This course will cover the essentials of qualitative research. Students will learn how to “situate themselves” in the research process so as to best capture the lived experience of the subjects under investigation. The course will explore the appropriate use of intensive interviews, grounded theory and ethnography.  Mixed methods that employ both qualitative and quantitative approaches, will also be covered.

Applied Statistics
This course will provide an overview of statistical methods that are commonly used in clinical research. Course topics include conceptualization and measurement of variables and techniques and concepts for exploring and categorizing data, for generalizing research findings and testing hypotheses, and for statistical data processing.

Applied Clinical Practice I
This is a highly experiential course that requires students to engage­both intellectually and affectively, with content on the relational and technical aspects of clinical work. Beginning with a thorough exploration of the concept of “the working alliance” (variously termed “the therapeutic alliance”, “the helping alliance” and “the alliance”), this course will expose students to the literature and research on the essential elements of effective clinical practice. Through the use of personal logs, individual and group critique of fictional and/or role-played client sessions, participation in videotaped role plays, and other experiential exercises, students will have an in-vivo opportunity to observe, reflect upon and critique their own practice, as well as receive feedback from the class and the instructor.

Applied Clinical Practice II
Continuation of the Clinical Practice I module. Students will present their case studies to the class and receive peer feedback and critique.

Clinical Measurement
This course builds on the core Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods courses, with a focus on   measures for clinical practice and research.

Integrative Seminar
The Integrative Seminar is the last of the DSW courses. This course is designed to consolidate the student’s dissertation process. The instructor works with each student individually and with the class collectively to help the student finalize the dissertation and prepare for the dissertation defense.

Course Modules*

Relational Social Work
Trauma Theory and Interventions
Interventions with Children and Adolescents
Group Work Theory and Practice
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Organizational Trauma
Practicing and Teaching Ethical Social Work
Teaching Social Work Practice
Culturally Competent Practice

*Module topics may vary

Proseminars and Dissertation Workshops