The University of Iowa School of Social Work

Course Sequence

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The School of Social Work has developed an innovative program to train social workers for practice in end-of-life care with initial funding from the Project on Death in America. The coursework prepares students for practice in hospice programs and in hospital social work in pediatric and adult oncology, palliative care units, and other social work settings focused on the needs of individuals at the end of life, their families and bereaved individuals. It is based on the family-centered and community-based principles which permeate the entire curriculum in the MSW Program. End-of-life services are based on the values of the hospice movement which include patient-directed treatment, services focused on the family as well as the patient, a focus on pain control and palliative care, a continuum of services available in the home and in inpatient settings, and integrated services provided by an interdisciplinary team and focused on medical, social, and spiritual needs.

Required for Field of Practice

42:254 Introductory Seminar in End-of-Life Care in Rural Communities 3 s.h.
42:255 Integrative Seminar in End-of-Life Care) (taken last semester of the MSW Program) 1 s.h.
Hospice Volunteer Training (may be completed for one semester hour academic credit with an Independent Study, 042:271, see note + below)
42:292-293 or 42:295-296 Advanced Practicum in hospice, palliative care, bereavement, or other setting related to end-of-life care; can provide services to patients and families at any stage of the life cycle (2 semesters) 10-12 s.h.
Electives approved for End-of-Life Care (see list below) 6 s.h.

Approved Electives in School of Social Work

Students select a minimum of 6 hours from the following list of approved electives:

42:186/153:186 Death/ Dying: Issues Across the Life Cycle 3 s.h.
42:224 Spirituality and Ethics in Social Work Practice 2-3 s.h.
42:194 Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings 2 s.h.
42:153/153:153 Programs and Services for Aging Adults 3 s.h.
42:135/153:135 Older Adulthood: Cultural Comparisons 2-3 s.h.
42:195/153:195 Introduction to Nursing Homes 3 s.h.
42:219/153:219 Aging and the Family 2-3 s.h.
42:199 Social Work Theory and Practice in Long Term Care 2 s.h.
42:281 Interventions in Chronic and End-Of-Life Care 2 s.h.
42:281 Grief Therapy 2 s.h.
096:147/153:147 End of Life Care for Adults & Families (ICON course) 2 s.h.
42:281 Trauma & Loss (under development) 2 s.h.

Sequence of Coursework for Field of Practice in End-of-Life Care

(based on full-time student schedule for students without the BA in Social Work)

Semester Courses
Summer Semester Year 1 Introductory Seminar in End of Life Care in Rural Communities
Fall Semester Year 1 Hospice Volunteer Training (may be taken with an Independent Study) +
Spring Semester Year 1 Foundation Practicum
Summer Semester Two or three electives approved for End-of-Life Care
Fall Semester Year 2 Advanced Practicum in End-of-Life Care Possible additional elective approved for End-of-Life Care
Spring Semester Year 2 Advanced Practicum in End-of-Life Care (continued from fall semester) Integrative Seminar in End-of-Life Care

An Advanced Practicum in End-of –Life Care, Palliative Care, or Bereavement Services will be approved by the Practicum Administrator with input from the student and the Coordinator of the End-of-Life Care Field of Practice.

Advanced Practicum Sites Include:
-Any Hospice Program that has developed a practicum agreement with the School of Social Work (placements both in hospice social work and bereavement programs)
-University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics: Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Adult Oncology, Pediatric Oncology, Palliative Care, Dialysis, Organ Transplant, and other programs as approved
-Veterans Administration Medical Center, Iowa City and Des Moines (serve veterans from large rural region)
-Nursing homes offering end-of-life care to residents in collaboration with a hospice program
-Hospice Program at Oakdale Correctional Facility or other Department of Correction facility
-Programs involved with community education and outreach for end-of-life care
-End-of-Life Care Coalitions

Additional sites as approved by the Coordinator of the End-of-Life Care Field of Practice

Notes
Students may complete the Field of Practice in End-of-Life Care with either the Family-Centered or Integrated Practice Concentration.

Students choose six semester hours of courses from the list of electives in consultation from their academic advisor and the Coordinator of the End-of-Life Care Field of Practice. The required courses and electives may be open to other students with permission of the instructor. Students accepted into the end-of-life care field of practice have priority for required courses.

MSW students normally take 12 semester hours of electives. The majority of these electives will be used to complete the Field of Practice in End-of-Life Care. Some of the electives approved for end-of-life care are also approved for the Aging Studies Certificate; students interested in end-of-life care and gerontology may be able to earn both certificates with careful planning.

+ Students who have already completed hospice volunteer training may submit proof of completion to the Coordinator of the End-of-Life Care Field of Practice.