Master of Social Work

The University of South Florida College of Behavioral and Community Sciences offers a Master of Social Work, which is a Specialty Practice Program in Clinical Social Work Practice in Integrated Care that provides both classroom instruction and field experience.  This program’s training and course curriculum introduces students to the essential clinical practice skills needed to effectively address the challenges of integrated services, care, and support for persons with health, mental health, and substance use problems. Students become fluent in the language and culture of health and will develop a working knowledge of a wide variety of chronic health conditions. Students will examine the challenges of multidisciplinary team practice and current best evidence-based practices for effective interventions.

Throughout the course, students critique behavior change theories, practice models, and evidence-based interventions for their utility in an integrated healthcare system. Building on the student’s foundational knowledge of general practice skills (engagement, screening, comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and evaluation) this course will emphasize practice skills and implementation approaches designed to enhance effective communication, consumer engagement, motivation, and client empowerment.  Through the use of case vignettes, assignments, role plays and small group activities, students will gain experience and skills necessary to be effective in a variety of behavioral health roles (e.g. care manager, behavioral health consultant, health coach, patient advocate, counselor, team leader). Finally, students will increase their knowledge of complementary and alternative therapies and the importance of self-care and disease management.