SOWK 350 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families

Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families is the study of practice from a generalist social work point of view. Particular emphasis is placed on the practice behaviors associated with engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


Social workers interact with individuals and families on a daily basis. This course aids the student in developing competency in the areas of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation when working with individuals and families. The course also prepares the student with foundational knowledge necessary for effective generalist social work practice.


Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Active Listening Contracting Demonstration Assignment

For this assignment, the student will reflect on demonstration of active listening skills. The student will demonstrate active listening and beginnings of the contract phase with a volunteer. After the experience, the student will complete a written two-page assignment to reflect on patterns within interaction and opportunities for growth.

Triad: First Session Assignment

For the Triad: First Session, Triad: Second Session, and Triad: Final Session Assignments, the student will be placed in a group to participate in a practice session that addresses a particular client situation. To conduct these practice sessions and record them, the student must use Microsoft Teams.

Each student will record their practice session acting in the role of a social worker candidate. The triad group should prepare enough time to allow each group member to act in the role of a practice worker, a practice client, and an observer. It is advisable to set aside at least 1 hour to complete all sessions.

For the Triad: First Session, while acting in the role of the client, the student will select a role-play client situation from the Triad Role-Play Referral Sheet. While serving in the role of a social work candidate, the student will concentrate on engagement skills during this Triad: First Session. The student will additionally perform in the role of an active observer to give feedback at the end of the session. 

After completion of the practice session, the student will complete a documentation note summarizing the Triad: First Session with professional language. The student will submit at least 2 continuous minutes, but no more than 5 minutes, of the recording.

Case Analysis: Part I Assignment

For this assignment, student will utilize self-reflection and self-awareness as they review and consider each element of their displayed practice skills and client interaction. The student will complete the templated form in reflection of the Triad: First Session.

Triad: Second Session Assignment

For the Triad: First Session, Triad: Second Session, and Triad: Final Session Assignments, the student will be placed in a group to participate in a practice session that addresses a particular client situation. To conduct these practice sessions and record them, the student must use Microsoft Teams.

Each student will record their practice session acting in the role of a social worker candidate. The triad group should prepare enough time to allow each group member to act in the role of a practice worker, a practice client, and an observer. It is advisable to set aside at least 1 hour to complete all sessions.

For the Triad: Second Session, while acting in the role of the client, the student will remain his/her same selected role-play. While serving in the role of a social work candidate, the student will concentrate on assessment skills and should bring with them to the session the Client Assessment Treatment Plan form. The student will additionally perform in the role of an active observer to give feedback at the end of the session.

After completion of the practice session, the student will complete a documentation note summarizing the Triad: Second Session with professional language. The student will submit at least 5 continuous minutes, but no more than 10 minutes, of the recording.

Client Assessment Treatment Plan Assignment

Within this assignment, student will utilize assessment skills to document client needs and strengths on provided template. Student should utilize this form within Triad: Second Session to collaborate on a SMART goal with the client for future work. 

Triad: Journal Article Review Assignment

For this assignment, the student will select 1 peer-reviewed journal article that reflects research applicable to his/her client situation from the Triad session. This paper must be full two pages, outside of the title and reference pages.

Triad: Final Session Assignment

For the Triad: First Session, Triad: Second Session, and Triad: Final Session Assignments, the student will be placed in a group to participate in a practice session that addresses a particular client situation. To conduct these practice sessions and record them, the student must use Microsoft Teams.

Each student will record their practice session acting in the role of a social worker candidate. The triad group should prepare enough time to allow each group member to act in the role of a practice worker, a practice client, and an observer.

For the Triad: Final Session, while acting in the role of the client, the student will remain in selected role-play client situation. While serving in the role of a social work candidate, the student will concentrate on termination skills during this Triad: Final Session. The student will additionally perform in the role of an active observer to give feedback at the end of the session. 

After completion of the practice session, the student will complete a documentation note summarizing the Triad: Final Session with professional language. The student will submit at least 2 continuous minutes, but no more than 5 minutes, of the recording.

Case Analysis: Part II Assignment

For this assignment, student will utilize self-reflection and self-awareness as they review and consider each element of their displayed practice skills and client interaction. The student will complete the templated form in reflection of the Triad: Second and Final Sessions.

Triad: Self-Evaluation Assignment

For this assignment, the student will demonstrate self-reflection and correction by writing on their practice areas of strength and needed growth. The student must indicate how they could apply supervision and consultation to enhance their social work practice, as well as, share how these Triad sessions prepare them for future practice. This paper will be 2-3 pages, not including title/reference pages, and must include 1-2 sources in the current APA format.

Quiz: Course Assignment and Triad Preparation

This quiz prepares the student for the requirements of participating within SOWK 350. The student will share their time zone to be grouped with peers and their level of time commitment to ensure group meetings can be arranged. The student will acknowledge consent and understanding of Triad groups and APA formatting within the quiz. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank questions, and will have no time limit.

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the course material for the assigned Module: Week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 20 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 30-minute time limit.


Top 1% For Online Programs

Have questions about this course or a program?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists.