SW 602 Social Work Evaluation and Policy

The current socio-political climate is increasingly focusing on assessing the costs, quality and effectiveness of mental health services. As a practicing social worker, you will be applying research findings in your clinical work and using research methods to monitor and evaluate clinical interventions and services to clients in complex urban environments. This course focuses upon application of the scientific research concepts introduced in the introductory research course to several areas of social work practice: The evaluation of clinical practice, program evaluation, and critique of the research literature with a view to developing and updating evidence-based practice guidelines.

The course will help students assess research to evaluate clinical practice, develop skills for applying research principles and techniques to systematically monitor and evaluate mental health programs with diverse clientele, and develop skills for critically evaluating published research. Prerequisite: 30 credits of Social Work courses. (3)