Plan of Study – Grad Cert Social Work Administration

Prepares students to perform managerial functions in public, nonprofit, and faith-based human service organizations with particular emphasis on those with programs developed and designed to improve individual, family, and community wellbeing. Specific attention is given to the topics of leadership, human resources, fund development, structure and governance, resource management, and efforts to link human service organizations through a comprehensive system of care.

This course will provide an introduction to community-based organizations from an eco-systems perspective. Students will understand the external and internal forces that impact the performance of community-based organizations. Students will be introduced major theories of organizational management and leadership for effective social work administration and planning. Students will have the opportunity to explore personal values; develop, demonstrate, and promote the values of the profession; and analyze ethical dilemmas and how these affect practice in a variety of community-based settings. Students will learn strategies that promote self-determination, equity, social and economic justice in community-based settings.

Processes of strategic planning and program development in human service organizations from problem identification through program design, resource organization, and implementation are examined. Special attention to designing programs and meeting the needs of at risk populations. Students develop the analytical and interpersonal skills necessary for program planning and management, and gain understanding of the politics of planning in an organizational, inter-organizational, and community context. Students practice problem formulation and program planning related to their area specialization and will design a social services program addressing a real world social problem.