Specializations

Social Work majors are strongly advised and encouraged to pursue minor areas of study and/or Certificates in Child Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, Addictions Counseling, etc. The Social Work Program has been responsible for the development, administration and supervision of the Child Welfare, Gerontology and Addictions Counseling Certificate/Minor Programs.

1). Gerontology

This certificate/minor consists of 15 credits in gerontology courses, including two required courses and three electives. Courses are:

Required:  GER 241, Introduction to Social Gerontology and GER 375 Aging Policies and Programs.

Electives: Any three - GER 351, Substance Abuse and the Aged; GER 358, Counseling the Older Adult; GER 365 Alzheimers Disease; and GER 370 Remotivation Therapy.

Social Work majors who pursue the gerontology option will complete either their junior or senior field experience, or both, in a setting serving the elderly. The Gerontology Program evolved as a response to the large number of aging services and extra-ordinarily large aged population in this geographical area (almost 20% 65 years of age or older in Luzerne County). As our society in general continues to gray, trained personnel will be needed.

Click here to access the application for the Gerontology specialization.  

 

 

2). Child Welfare

The Child Welfare Certificate program has been offered at the College since 1982. Originally developed through a Child Welfare Grant, the program’s goal is to educate baccalaureate-level social workers who have acquired specialized training for work in the Child Welfare System.

Students enrolled in the Child Welfare Program must complete three required and two elective courses for a total of 15 credits.

Required: SOC 321, The Family; CWS 363, Child Welfare Policies; and CWS 392, Child Abuse and Neglect.

Electives: Any two - SWK 333, Substance Abuse in the Adolescent Population; PSY 275 Child and Adolescent Psychology; CWS/SWK 355, Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence; CWS/SWK 365 Developing Cultural Competence with Children and Families; CWS/SWK 393 Child Welfare Law; and CWS/SWK 395a, Permanency Planning. 

Click here to access the application for the Child Welfare specialization.

 

3). Addictions Counseling

The Addictions Counseling Certificate reqires 13 credits (4 required and any 2 electives). It was initiated in 1989 in an attempt to meet regional as well as national needs for individuals trained to work with the myriad of issues and problems associated with the use/misuse of alcohol and drugs. The program is especially significant for our local county of Luzerne, which has the third highest level of alcohol consumption in Pennsylvania. 

Required: ADC/SWK 222 Drug Pharmacology; ADC/SWK 337 Substance Abuse Treatment Methods;  ADC/SWK 340a Chemical Addictions and Dependence; and SWK 201 Professional Ethics (one credit).

Electives: ADC/SWK 333 Substance Abuse in the Adolescent Population; ADC/SWK 335 Substance Abuse in Special Populations; ADC/SWK 339 Substance Abuse and Criminality;  ADC/SWK 341 Substance Abuse and the Aged; and ADC/SWK 341 Families in Addiction and Dependency. A field practicum of 3 credits is also available but can be applied conjointly with the field experience in social work.

Coursework and syllabi originally developed by Mr. Carmen Ambrosino have been recently updated to reflect current issues and language. Content and organization of the program received recognition when it was presented at the 1990 CSWE APM by Dr. Michael Smith of North Texas State University as a model program for BSW Programs.

Click here to access the application for the Addictions Counseling specialization.

PLEASE NOTE: Course completion is approved by PA Accreditation Board - but students are also required a certain number of paid hours and supervision in order to become an addictions counselor in Pennyslvania.