Advanced Topics
Clinical / Direct Practice
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychopathology and the DSM in Social Work | Informs assessment and intervention for mental health challenges. | Social Work Practice with Men at Risk by Tamar Bentov-Gofman | Abnormal Psychology (edX) |
| Evidence-Based Interventions: CBT and DBT | Provides tools for targeted, empirically supported therapeutic work. | Evidence-Based Practice in Social Work by Denise Bronson | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Coursera) |
| Family Therapy in Social Work | Strengthens family systems interventions for relational healing. | Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods by Michael Nichols | Family Systems Therapy (YouTube Series) |
| Substance Use Disorders in Social Work | Equips for holistic treatment of addiction and recovery support. | Social Work Practice in the Addictions by Michael G. Vaughn | Addiction Treatment (Coursera) |
| Child Welfare Practice in Social Work | Prepares for ethical, trauma-informed child protection work. | Child Welfare: Preparing Social Workers for Practice by Kathryn Krase | Child Welfare (edX) |
Child, Youth & Family Welfare
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Welfare Policy & Practice | Examines policies shaping child protection and family support systems. | Child Welfare and Family Services: Policies and Practice by Susan Downs et al. | Essentials of Social Welfare Policy (Coursera) |
| Trauma and Resilience in Children | Builds resilience-focused strategies for young trauma survivors. | Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice by Amanda Evans | Trauma and the Brain (Coursera) |
| Family Preservation and Foster Care in Social Work | Supports family-centered alternatives to separation. | The Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center by Adoption Network | Engaging Challenging Families (YouTube Series) |
| Youth Development and Juvenile Justice in Social Work | Promotes restorative approaches over punitive youth systems. | Juvenile Justice: A Social Work Perspective by Steven Hartwig | Youth Justice (FutureLearn) |
| Play Therapy in Social Work | Harnesses play for therapeutic healing in child clients. | Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship by Garry Landreth | Play Therapy Basics (edX) |
Community Practice & Macro Social Work
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Organizing and Development in Social Work | Empowers grassroots efforts for sustainable community change. | Community Development in an Uncertain World by Jim Ife | Community Organizing for Social Justice (Coursera) |
| Grant Writing and Nonprofit Management in Social Work | Builds funding and leadership skills for organizational impact. | Nonprofit Management: Principles and Practice by Michael Worth | Grant Writing (Coursera) |
| Policy Advocacy and Legislative Practice in Social Work | Influences systemic reform through effective lobbying. | Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate by Bruce S. Jansson | Social Work Advocacy and Public Policy (YouTube Series) |
| Program Design and Evaluation in Social Work | Ensures impactful, accountable program implementation. | Program Evaluation: A Practical Guide by David Royse | Program Evaluation (Coursera) |
| Social Entrepreneurship in Social Work | Fosters innovative, mission-driven ventures for social good. | Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction by Heather Weaver | Social Entrepreneurship (Coursera) |
Health & Mental Health Social Work
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Social Work | Integrates social support within healthcare systems. | Hospital Social Work: The Interface of Medicine and Social Work by Joan Beder | Health and Social Care (FutureLearn) |
| Integrated Behavioral Health in Social Work | Bridges mental and physical health for comprehensive care. | Integrated Behavioral Health Practice by Michael A. Mancini | Behavioral Health (Coursera) |
| Aging and Gerontology in Social Work | Addresses needs of older adults in aging societies. | Social Work Practice With Older Adults by Roberta Rubin Greene | Aging in Place (edX) |
| Palliative and Hospice Care in Social Work | Supports end-of-life dignity and family grief. | Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work by Terry Altilio | Palliative Care (Coursera) |
| Disability Studies in Social Work | Promotes inclusive, rights-based disability services. | Disability and Social Work by Fred Powell | Disability Awareness (Coursera) |
Global & International Social Work
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Rights and Social Development in Social Work | Advances global equity through rights-based practice. | Human Rights and Social Justice by Joseph Wronka | Human Rights (edX) |
| Forced Migration and Refugee Services in Social Work | Aids resettlement and trauma recovery for displaced populations. | Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees by Elaine Congress | Refugee Law (Coursera) |
| Global Health Inequalities in Social Work | Tackles disparities in access to health worldwide. | Textbook of Global Health by Anne-Emanuelle Birn | Global Health (edX) |
| Disaster and Humanitarian Response in Social Work | Coordinates relief and recovery in crises. | Disaster Recovery by Brenda Phillips | Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster (edX) |
| Decolonial Approaches in Social Work | Challenges colonial legacies in practice and policy. | Decolonizing Social Work by Mel Gray | Decolonization (FutureLearn) |
Social Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practice
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Race Theory in Social Work Practice | Examines racism's role in perpetuating inequities. | Critical Race Theory in Education by Adrienne Dixson | Race and Cultural Diversity (Coursera) |
| Feminist and Queer Theory in Social Work | Centers marginalized genders and sexualities in interventions. | Feminist Social Work Theory in Action by Sobia Shaheen | Gender and Sexuality (edX) |
| Abolitionist Social Work | Dismantles carceral systems for transformative justice. | Abolition and Social Work by Chante L. DeLoach | Abolitionist Social Work: Possibilities, Paradox and Praxis (YouTube Series) |
| Environmental Justice in Social Work | Links ecological harm to social inequities. | Environmental Justice as Social Work Practice by Christina Erickson | Environmental Justice (FutureLearn) |
| Restorative and Transformative Justice in Social Work | Shifts from punishment to healing and accountability. | The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr | Restorative Justice (edX) |
Capstone
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone Project in Social Work | Synthesizes learning into a practical, impactful project for professional readiness. | Social Work Capstone Projects by John Poulin | Capstone Design Project (Coursera) |