Areas of Social Work Practice from edX

The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and to help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A social worker should not only work with the client to help them navigate the injustice but to work towards changing that injustice.

Learners will be introduced to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and how to apply and utilize the code to navigate ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes. The NASW Code of Ethics includes these core values of social work:

Service: helping people in need and addressing social problems;
Social Justice: challenging social injustice
Dignity and Worth of The Person: respecting every person
Importance of Human Relationships: recognizing the central importance of relationships to a person’s well being and as a vehicle of change;
Integrity: behaving in a trustworthy manner, and
Competence: practicing within one’s area of competence and continually developing and enhancing one’s professional expertise.

Students will also be introduced to the context for social work, including the diversity of human needs, human services, social policy and legislation. Social work is a marketable profession and growing. Due to the challenges humans are faced with on an everyday basis, there is a need for social workers to help navigate experiences around trauma, racism and injustice, health, wellness, climate change and systemic barriers; a wide range of services, programs, and career opportunities nationally are discussed throughout.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Describe the role of social workers in working within diverse social work practice settings (health, child welfare, mental health, and substance abuse, military social work, poverty, criminal justice, gerontology, etc.)
Gain an understanding of the healthcare system.

Discuss the complexities of defining poverty.
Describe the different levels of practice; micro, mezzo, macro.

Describe the role of social workers in working within diverse social work practice settings (health, child welfare, mental health, and substance abuse, military social work, poverty, criminal justice, gerontology, etc.)
Gain an understanding of the healthcare system.
Discuss the complexities of defining poverty.
Describe the different levels of practice; micro, mezzo, macro.

Syllabus

Week 1: Poverty & Child Welfare

Week 2: Health Care Systems

Week 3: Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Week 4: Military Social Work Practice

Week 5: Aging & People with Disabilities

Week 6: Social Work in a Global World

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops and enhances professional expertise, which is core for practitioners in the field

Introduces the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and its application, which is crucial for ethical decision-making

Covers diverse social work practice settings, equipping learners with a broad understanding of the field

Examines the complexities of defining poverty, which is a critical issue in social work

Taught by Retchenda George-Bettisworth, a recognized expert in social work

Includes discussions on navigating experiences around trauma, racism, injustice, health, wellness, climate change, and systemic barriers

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Areas of Social Work Practice with these activities:

Compile a Reading List

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Curate a comprehensive reading list of essential texts and articles to supplement your course materials and enhance your knowledge base.

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Identify key topics and concepts
Search for relevant materials
Organize and annotate your readings

Online Social Work Training

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Enroll in an online social work training program to enhance your skills and knowledge.

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Research online social work training programs.
Enroll in a program that meets your needs.
Complete the training program.

Explore Online Social Work Resources

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Deepen your understanding by utilizing online resources tailored for social work professionals, including databases, articles, and videos.

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Create a list of reliable websites
Subscribe to industry-specific newsletters
Engage in online forums

11 other activities

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Volunteer at a Social Service Agency

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Gain hands-on experience in the field of social work by volunteering at a local agency.

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Find a social service agency that you are interested in.
Contact the agency and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Complete the volunteer application process.

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of racial segregation in the United States.

View The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes.
Write a summary of the book's main arguments.
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague.

Attend a Social Work Conference

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Engage with professionals in the field by attending a conference dedicated to social work, enabling you to expand your network and stay updated on current trends.

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Identify relevant conferences
Register and prepare for the event
Attend sessions and workshops
Network with other attendees

Discussion Group

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Join a discussion group to share ideas and learn from other social work students.

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Find a discussion group that meets your interests.
Attend the discussion group regularly.
Participate in the discussion and share your insights.

Develop a Social Work Advocacy Plan

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Create a comprehensive advocacy plan that outlines strategies to address social justice issues and advocate for vulnerable populations.

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Identify a specific social issue
Research evidence and best practices
Develop advocacy goals and objectives
Identify target audience and stakeholders
Craft a persuasive advocacy message

Case Study Analysis

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Reinforce your understanding of different social work practice settings by analyzing real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Read the case study and identify the key details.
Analyze the case using the NASW Code of Ethics.
Develop a plan of action for how the social worker could best assist the client.

Become a Peer Mentor for Social Work Students

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Support fellow social work students by sharing your knowledge and experiences, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

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Identify potential mentees
Establish regular meeting times
Provide guidance and support
Encourage reflection and professional development

Social Justice Action Plan

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Develop a plan to address a specific social injustice issue that you are passionate about.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Identify the social injustice you want to address.
Research the issue and its root causes.
Develop a plan of action for how you can make a difference.

Initiate a Social Work Research Project

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Embark on a research project that examines a specific social work topic or issue of interest, allowing you to apply your knowledge and contribute to the field.

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Define your research question
Conduct a literature review
Design your research methodology
Collect and analyze data
Disseminate your findings

Social Work Advocacy Video

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Create a video that raises awareness about a social issue and advocates for change.

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Choose a social issue that you are passionate about.
Research the issue and develop a message.
Create a video that is engaging and informative.

Policy Brief

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Write a policy brief that analyzes a specific social policy issue and makes recommendations for change.

Browse courses on Social Policy

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Choose a social policy issue that you are interested in.
Research the issue and develop a policy brief.
Submit the policy brief to a relevant organization or policymaker.

Career center

Learners who complete Areas of Social Work Practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Worker

Social Workers support people in need, whether it be due to mental illness, poverty, or addiction. As a student of this course, you will develop the skills to help people navigate bureaucracy and systemic barriers. The program will also help you to understand the law, and how it impacts those living in poverty or other vulnerable communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators manage hospitals and other healthcare providers. The course will teach you concepts that are central to the industry, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Furthermore, the overview of social work roles can help you understand the needs of various patient populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselors diagnose and treat mental health issues. This course can help you to understand the different approaches to psychotherapy. Furthermore, the overview of social work roles can help you understand the needs of various patient populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor

Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation Counselors help people who have disabilities to live independently and overcome the impact of substance abuse. You will gain a strong understanding of people's needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rehabilitation Counselor

Probation Officer

Probation Officers supervise people who have been convicted of crimes. This course can help you to connect with people who are trying to rebuild their lives after incarceration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Probation Officer

Correctional Officer

Correctional Officers supervise inmates in prisons and jails. This course can help you to connect with incarcerated people and understand the challenges they face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Correctional Officer

Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services Workers investigate reports of child abuse and neglect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Child Protective Services

Case Manager

Case Managers help people access social services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Case Manager

Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialists manage employee relations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist

School Counselor

School Counselors help students with academic, social, and emotional issues.