Pattern of Enrollment
The following patterns of enrollment are for incoming students in the current academic year. For
all patterns of enrollment including those for prior academic years please see the MSASS
Registrar's page on
patterns of enrollment.
Aging Specialization
The advanced curriculum on aging prepares social workers to provide a broad range of services to
older individuals and their families. As the proportion of older persons in the population
continues to increase, a wide range of skills is needed to serve this population and enhance their
quality of life. Counseling, case management, advocacy, interdisciplinary work, and consulting
roles are emphasized in the concentration. Emphasis is placed on supporting clients' personal
strengths and their efforts to deal with changing roles (e.g., adjustment to retirement) and
changes in health (e.g., loss of functional abilities). The effects of poverty, gender, and
minority status on aging patterns and needs are given special attention.
Elective coursework permits students to tailor their educational programs to personal learning
objectives and career goals. Courses in this concentration also may be applied to the Gerontology
Certificate program offered at the University.
Field Placement Opportunities
Students complete their advanced field placements in an approved field setting with an emphasis
on aging. Environments may include nursing homes, senior centers, continuous care facilities,
private agencies and government offices that serve seniors in a wide variety of ways, centers
focusing on policy initiatives, etc.
The Aging specialization is offered in both the Full Time and Intensive Weekend program.
| Please note this is a model Pattern of Enrollment for students enrolled in the full
time, two year program, not necessarily your schedule. It is printed here to give you an idea of
what a schedule for your time here may look like. We encourage you to consult with you faculty
advisor to develop your actual schedule. |
|
First Year
|
Semester Hours
|
| SASS 477 |
Direct Practice Methods Skills* |
3 |
| SASS 484 |
Theories of Oppressions and Social Justice* |
3 |
| SASS 440 |
Human Development in Context I: Child & Adolescent* |
3 |
| SASS 470 |
Social Policy* |
3 |
| SASS 441 |
Human Development II: Adult* |
3 |
| SASS 478 |
Macro & Policy Practice Skills* |
3 |
| SASS 426 |
Research Methods in Social Work* |
3 |
| SASS 495 |
Field Education Seminar* |
1 |
| SASS 601 |
Field Education I* |
2 |
| SASS 602 |
Field Education II |
3 |
|
Second Year
|
Semester Hours
|
| SRCH 530 |
Practice Evaluation |
3 |
| SPPP 513 |
Aging Policy & Service Delivery** |
3 |
| SASS 547 |
Problems Identification, Screening and Assessment/Diagnosis |
3 |
| SASS 549 |
Theory/ Practice Approaches in Direct Practice |
3 |
| SSWM Elective |
Additional Advanced Courses – choose one:
SSWM 571 Case Management
SSWM 518 Death & Dying
SSWM 589 Social Work Intervention in Chronic Illness |
3 |
| SASS 515 |
Family Care Giving** |
3 |
| Free Elective |
3 |
| SASS 581 |
Social Work with Older Adults ** |
3 |
| SASS 603 |
Field Education III |
3 |
| SASS 604 |
Field Education IV |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required for Degree |
60 |
* Foundation Curriculum. BSW students may waive foundation courses if undergraduate coursework
grades are B or better.
**These courses are taught in the Intensive Weekend format only. Students in the Full-time,
Advanced Standing, and Weekend formats may enroll.
Gerontology Certificate
There is also a certificate program available at the master's level. Contact the University
Center on Aging and Health (216) 368-2692 for more information.
|
