A cluster is an organized program of study that focuses on a
specific problem area and/or population at risk. It consists of a
cluster-related policy course, an integrative seminar, and a
cluster-related field placement that is coupled with the student`s
concentration. Clusters combine substantive knowledge of social
problems and issues and populations at risk with social work practice
methods. Currently, two clusters are offered: Children and Families
(C&F) and Health, Mental Health, and Aging (HMHA).
Children and Families
The Children and Families cluster addresses the special needs of
families and children. Students learn the skills and knowledge
necessary to attempt to prevent and remedy the social problems of this
population. Opportunities to focus on child welfare and school social
work are provided. Advanced field placement opportunities are available
to direct practice students and to administration, policy, and planning
students. The following courses are required for the Children and
Families cluster:
19:910:557 Integrative Seminar: Children and Families (3)
19:910:585 Issues in Social Policy: Children and Families (3)
Health, Mental Health, and Aging
The Health, Mental Health, and Aging cluster provides students with the
opportunity to obtain knowledge of health, mental health, and aging
concerns. Students will be able to tailor their learning to working
with and on behalf of the aging or the developmentally disabled or the
chronically mentally ill or those with health problems. Advanced field
placement opportunities in HMHA are available to direct practice and
administration, policy, and planning students. The
following courses are required for the Health, Mental Health, and
Aging cluster:
19:910:559 Integrative Seminar: Health, Mental Health, and Aging (3)
19:910:587 Issues in Social Policy: Health, Mental Health, and Aging (3)
Gerontology Certificate. Students
enrolled in the Health, Mental Health, and Aging cluster receive a
Certificate in Gerontology if (1) they focus on aging in all course
requirements, such as policy analysis, papers, class presentations,
case presentation and analysis, etc., and in 19:910:587 Issues in
Social Policy and 19:910:559 Integrative Seminar; (2) they have a
second-year field placement in a setting offering experience relevant
to aging-such as in a nursing home or a county office on aging; and (3)
they complete 19:910: 572 Gerontology as an elective during the fall
term of the second year.
