School of Social Work
About Us
Founded in 1914, Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work educates students to become leaders in the profession. Within a learning community dedicated to excellence in scholarship and service, students select a curriculum focused on clinical, organizational, community, and social justice issues.
BSW Program
Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program introduces students to the dynamic, changing, and challenging profession of social work. Loyola University Chicago offers a combined BSW/MSW degree that allows full-time students to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in social work in just five years. Students earn a BSW in Social Work degree, blending a top-quality social work curriculum with a strong liberal arts base. Because many first-year MSW requirements are completed during students’ senior year, the MSW degree portion of the program can be completed in less time than normally required to earn a master's degree in social work.
Internships
Through relationships with over 1,000 agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, and schools in the Chicagoland area, Loyola provides outstanding access to supervised internships.
Continuing Education
The School of Social Work offers a variety of continuing education programs.
PRAXIS
Established in 2000, Praxis is one of the only student published journals of social work in the nation. The journal offers the scholarly work of students and alumni, providing a forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints and timely research.
Undergraduate Policies and Procedures
Please see Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University.
University Policies
Please see University Policies for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University
Social Work (SOWK)
SOWK 200 Introduction to Social Work (3 Credit Hours)
This course is an introduction to the social work profession through the identification of some of the human problems in society and the role of both society and social services in response to the problems. Students have the opportunity to observe several social service agencies and to evaluate current ways in which agencies interpret social problems and administer services Students will be able to evaluate current ways in which agencies interpret social problems and administer services.
This course satisfies the Engaged Learning requirement.
SOWK 205 Children and Youth: Systems and Services (3 Credit Hours)
Survey of the field of child welfare with consideration of various social services. Particular focus on abused and neglected children, foster care, adoption, and institutionalization.
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services
Students will be able to assess and analyze child welfare services within current political and social constraints
Outcomes
Students will be able to assess and analyze child welfare services within current political and social constraintsSOWK 301 Practice Skills with Individuals and Families (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Senior Standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, SOWK 370, SOWK 305, (SOWK 201 or SOWK 307), and SOWK 350; Corequisite: SOWK 380
This introductory micro practice course begins by focusing on the development of core skills for social workers in their encounters with individuals and families.
1) Understand core social work skills relevant to engaging with and working with individuals and families, 2) apply core skills to diverse client situations
Outcomes
1) Understand core social work skills relevant to engaging with and working with individuals and families, 2) apply core skills to diverse client situationsSOWK 302 Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Senior Standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, SOWK 370, SOWK 305, (SOWK 201 or SOWK 307), and SOWK 350
This course extends theoretical knowledge and practical skills in mezzo and macro social work practice that support anti-racist and anti-oppressive, community engaged practices. While integrating theories of sociology, political science, anthropology, public health, and urban studies; as well as practice knowledge; the class examines relationships between social, economic, political, and cultural structures, collective action, and individual attitudes and behaviors.
Understand integrated practice models that apply across micro, mezzo, and macro domains; Appraise the quality and utility of empirical research related to the key theories, topics, and problems examined
Outcomes
Understand integrated practice models that apply across micro, mezzo, and macro domains; Appraise the quality and utility of empirical research related to the key theories, topics, and problems examinedSOWK 303 Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Senior standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, SOWK 370, SOWK 305, (SOWK 201 or SOWK 307), and SOWK 350; Pre or Corequisite: SOWK 301
This course presents theoretical and practical approaches to social work with groups, with a focus on group development, dynamics, and processes.
1) Understand the role of group work as a key social work methodology, and how group work is practiced within agency and community settings, 2) gain awareness of themselves as group members and facilitators
Outcomes
1) Understand the role of group work as a key social work methodology, and how group work is practiced within agency and community settings, 2) gain awareness of themselves as group members and facilitatorsSOWK 305 Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors, Social Work minors, or Human Services majors; Junior standing
This course will consider bio-psycho-social-spiritual theories across the life-course, with a focus on trauma and resilience and an understanding of the role of neuroscience in development. For Social Work majors only: Prerequisite: "C-" or higher in PSYC 101 AND Pre or For Social Work minors only: Pre or Corequisites: SOWK 200 and SOWK 370.
1) Understand the critical impact of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective on the social work profession, 2) identify the role trauma and resilience have in human development and behavior
Outcomes
1) Understand the critical impact of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective on the social work profession, 2) identify the role trauma and resilience have in human development and behaviorSOWK 307 Social Work Policy and Community Intervention (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors, Social Work minors, or Human Services majors; Junior standing
Drawing from social work theory, research, and practice, Social Work Policy and Community Interventions examines the roles of social workers in policy practice as well as change agents within community and organizational contexts.
Examine social workers in policy practice as change agents within communities and organizations; Discuss the history and current structures of social policies and services; Describe the role of policy in service delivery and the role of practice in policy development
Outcomes
Examine social workers in policy practice as change agents within communities and organizations; Discuss the history and current structures of social policies and services; Describe the role of policy in service delivery and the role of practice in policy developmentSOWK 330 Internship I and Simulated Experience (3.5 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Senior standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, SOWK 370, SOWK 305, (SOWK 201 or SOWK 307), and SOWK 350; Corequisite: SOWK 362
The goal of the field education program is to provide an integrative experience that brings classroom theory to the field of practice. The field education program will challenge the student to integrate professional values and personal perspectives.
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services
This course satisfies the Engaged Learning requirement.
1) Understand the professional purpose, values, and ethical implications of social work practice, 2) develop knowledge of the multiple frames of reference that reflect the organization and diversity of the profession
Outcomes
1) Understand the professional purpose, values, and ethical implications of social work practice, 2) develop knowledge of the multiple frames of reference that reflect the organization and diversity of the professionSOWK 340 Internship II and Simulated Experience (3.5 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Senior standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, (SOWK 201 or 307), SOWK 370, SOWK 305, and SOWK 350
The goal of the field education program is to provide an integrative experience that brings classroom theory to the field of practice. The field education program will challenge the student to integrate professional values and personal perspectives.
This course satisfies the Engaged Learning requirement.
1) Understand the professional purpose, values, and ethical implications of social work practice, 2) develop knowledge of the multiple frames of reference that reflect the organization and diversity of the profession
Outcomes
1) Understand the professional purpose, values, and ethical implications of social work practice, 2) develop knowledge of the multiple frames of reference that reflect the organization and diversity of the professionSOWK 350 Preparation for Practice (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Junior standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200 and SOWK 370
SOWK 370 may be taken as a co-requisite. Students will strengthen professional identification and to facilitate the transfer from social work education to professional practice or graduate studies.
Introduce BSW majors to the internship experience; Integrate classroom learning with the practice setting
Outcomes
Introduce BSW majors to the internship experience; Integrate classroom learning with the practice settingSOWK 360 Independent Study (1-3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Junior standing
A course designed for individuals or small groups to focus on selected issues and problems in social work practice beyond course offerings.
SOWK 361 Special Topics (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Sophomore standing
A survey course on a particular topic, such as aging, alcoholism and drug dependency, family process, group process, African-American men, gender, race, and culture. Students will understand how these issues affect social work practice.
SOWK 362 Integrative Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Senior standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, SOWK 370, SOWK 307, SOWK 305, and SOWK 350
Co-requisites: SOWK 330
This course is the first of two seminars that serve to enrich students' internship experience. The focus of this course is upon experiences and progress of the student in the first semester of internship and the relationship of the internship experience to specific foundational/generalist practice class content.
1) Integrate classroom knowledge and skills into the practice setting;2) reflect on internship learning experiences and growth of professional sense of self
Outcomes
1) Integrate classroom knowledge and skills into the practice setting;2) reflect on internship learning experiences and growth of professional sense of selfSOWK 370 Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Sophomore standing
This course is designed to assist social work students with understanding the concepts of power, privilege, oppression, and social justice in their work with historically marginalized and oppressed populations.
1) Examine students' engagement in a deep exploration of self-awareness of their identities, values, and biases in several areas; 2) recognize their knowledge and awareness of cultures and identities outside their own
Outcomes
1) Examine students' engagement in a deep exploration of self-awareness of their identities, values, and biases in several areas; 2) recognize their knowledge and awareness of cultures and identities outside their ownSOWK 380 Assessment of Client Concerns in Context (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors; Senior standing; A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, (SOWK 201 or 307), SOWK 370, SOWK 305, and SOWK 350
Co-requisites: SOWK 301
Course will teach students to conduct a strengths-based and contextual assessment of client concerns. Students will learn to conduct a culturally informed bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessment in which they gather information about presenting concerns from the perspective of clients and collateral sources.
1) Describe the elements of strength-based and contextual assessments, 2) explain process of culturally informed assessment, 3) apply knowledge by assessing client and community situations
Outcomes
1) Describe the elements of strength-based and contextual assessments, 2) explain process of culturally informed assessment, 3) apply knowledge by assessing client and community situationsSOWK 390 Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate Social Work majors, Social Work minors, or Human Services majors; Senior standing; For Social Work majors only: A grade of "C" or higher in the following courses: SOWK 200, SOWK 370, (SOWK 201 or 307), and SOWK 305
This course introduces the methods of social work research, including problem formulation, research ethics, research designs, measurement, data collection, sampling, and data analysis through a social justice/anti-racist/global perspective.
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services, Urban Studies
1) Identify research literacy and research skills in order to be accountable, and to evaluate their own practice, programs, and service delivery in the field, 2) understand the methods of social work research