The mission of the Chatham University undergraduate Social Services Administration program is to prepare students for entry level positions within social service agencies and for graduate study related to public administration, public health, social work, and related fields. The program emphasizes skills and knowledge related to the administration of non-profit agencies and the impact of policy on these agencies.

This major prepares students interested in social services and social policy for entry level administrative positions at social service agencies and for graduate school in public administration, public health, social work or related fields. The administrations of non-profit institutions as well as the impact of social policy on these institutions provide a framework for integrating a foundation of knowledge and skills for a variety of non-profit settings. Students may choose an area of specialization such as criminal justice, or social welfare to focus their coursework including an internship.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the major the student will be able to:

1. Describe the relationship between social policies and social services
2. Define basic principles of management as applied to non-profit settings
3. Identify several effective intervention strategies used in social service agencies
4. Explain how funding sources impact the provision of services
5. Demonstrate the use of professional behavior as an intern in a social service setting.

Chatham University Social Services Administration

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

10 courses total, including:

BUS105	Foundations of Business This course introduces the theory and practice of business and fosters analytical thinking. Students build a foundation for learning by gaining an understanding of business organizations, their structure and functions, the increasingly dynamic and complex global setting in which they compete, and the fundamentals of sustainable business practices.	3
BUS452	Managing Nonprofit Organizations Through the use of case studies, assignments, and class projects, this course familiarizes students with the distinctiveness of nonprofit organizations and their management. Specific topics include marketing and fund raising, budgeting, personnel management and supervision, strategic planning and implementation, environmental and program evaluation, and managing interorganizational networks. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: BUS105 Foundations of Business Complete all 2 of the following courses: SWK102 Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues SWK101 Introduction to Sociology	3
SWK321	Social Welfare and Social Justice This course examines the history, development, context, and current status of the American social welfare system. The American system is compared with policies and programs in other countries. The specifics of major welfare programs such as Social Security and Temporary Aid to Needy Families are explored.	3
INTSSA303	Internship - Social Services Administration Internship - Social Services Administration	3
SSA490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student’s major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs. Pre-requisites Complete all 2 of the following courses: PSY213 Statistics and Research Design PSY314W Foundations of Behavioral Research	3
One approved SWK, CRM, or BUS course
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PSY101	General Psychology An introduction to the scientific study of behavior with an emphasis on the origins of behavior, learning, social influences, physiological factors, individual differences, personality, and adjustment and maladjustment.	3
OR
SWK102	Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues This course examines selected social issues as well as related social welfare policies and programs. It introduces the profession of social work, key aspects of the professional knowledge base, fields of practice, and populations served by social workers. This course is appropriate for students who are considering social work as a profession and as well as for those with an interest in related fields such as psychology, counseling, and public policy.	3
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PSY213	Statistics and Research Design This course is designed to introduce students to essential research tools. Topics include frequency distributions, indices of central tendency, variability, and various inferential statistics, including nonparametric techniques. This course also examines research design procedures with an emphasis on analysis of variance. Priority given to psychology, social work and forensics majors. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: PSY101 General Psychology	3
OR
MTH110	Elementary Statistics Topics include statistical measures and distributions, decision making under uncertainty, application of probability to statistical inference, linear correlation, introduction to nonparametric statistical methods, and application to problems drawn from the natural and social sciences. Three hours of class per week. Three hours of class per week.	3
OR
BUS110	Business Analytics I This course introduces analytical tools that are essential for deriving actionable data-driven solutions to real world business problems. Modules address descriptive statistics, inferential analysis, hypotheses testing, results interpretation, and presentation of key findings. Students utilize diverse sources of data from business cases, research studies, open access datasets, and secondary reports. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: BUS105 Foundations of Business	3
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PSY314W	Foundations of Behavioral Research This course examines the scientific method employed by social scientists. Topics include types of variables, validity and reliability, research ethics, experimentation, and field research. Students will conduct research and write scientific papers in areas of social science. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: PSY213 Statistics and Research Design	3
OR
BUS310W	Business Analytics II This course builds upon the student’s foundational knowledge of business research and analytics. Students practice a disciplined approach to assessing real-world business problems and applying descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive techniques to solve them. Course activities include discussion forums, case studies, experiential projects, and constructive assessment. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: BUS110 Business Statistics BUS110 Business Analytics I MTH110 Elementary Statistics PSY213 Statistics and Research Design	3
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2 courses from the following:
BUS171	Information Systems and Operations This course explores basic concepts of communication networks (e.g., the Internet), hardware, software, databases, and systems. Students apply information systems to decision making, communication, collaboration and coordination in the operations of contemporary organizations. Students gain skills in word processing, presentation software, data visualization, spreadsheets, and relational databases.	3
BUS230W	Organizational Behavior Organizational behavior is a field of study that seeks to understand, explain, and improve human behavior in organizations. Most organizations focus their efforts on improving job performance and organizational commitment. The purpose of this course is to provide a theoretical foundation and realistic understanding of how human behavior influences the effectiveness of the modern corporation. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: BUS105 Foundations of Business	3
BUS257	Business Law and Business Ethics This course introduces students to the introductory concepts of business law including employment law, social and environmental responsibility of corporations, and international business law. It also emphasizes frameworks for conducting ethical analysis and the analysis of ethical dilemmas.	3
ACT222	Financial Accounting Principles I This course represents an introduction to accounting principles including the accounting process, double-entry bookkeeping, adjusting entries, and the preparation of financial statements. The objectives of this course are to make students aware of the importance of accounting information in every type of organization (private business, not-for-profit, and governmental).	3
BUS272	Principles of Finance This course enables students to apply fundamental ideas of financial economics to problems in corporate finance. Participants will gain an overview of valuation principles, learn basic principles of corporate finance from the perspective of a financial manager, and through case studies, analyze important financial decisions made within firms. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I	3
CRM101	Introduction to Criminal Justice This course is an introduction to U.S. criminal justice system. Topics covered include the nature of crime, law, justice, police, functions of courts, and the effectiveness of punishment and sanctions.  Also explored will be the roles of various professionals in the system to introduce students to potential career paths.	3
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SWK224	Juvenile Justice Examination of biological, psychological, sociological, and ecological theories of juvenile delinquency; its historical and current legal definitions and enabling legislation; statistical resources and activity patterns; and methods of prevention, control, and treatment of juvenile delinquency. Cross-listed as CRM 224.	3
OR
CRM224	Juvenile Justice Examination of biological, psychological, sociological, and ecological theories of juvenile delinquency; its historical and current legal definitions and enabling legislation; statistical resources and activity patterns; and methods of prevention, control, and treatment of juvenile delinquency. Cross-listed as SWK 224.	3
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SWK322W	Social Welfare: Women and Policy This course is designed to examine current issues and policies that impact the lives of women and to explore methods of creating or modifying policies. This course will utilize a comparative policy framework to explore the strengths and weaknesses of current interventions regarding their promotion of social and economic justice.	3
OR
WGS322W	Social Welfare: Women and Policy This course is designed to examine current issues and policies that impact the lives of women and to explore methods of creating or modifying policies. This course will utilize a comparative policy framework to explore the strengths and weaknesses of current interventions regarding their promotion of social and economic justice.	3
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PSY333	Fundamentals of Psychopathology A study of definitions of normality and abnormality, functional and organic syndromes, theories of causation, and procedures for the diagnosis and modification of disturbed behavior. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: PSY101 General Psychology	3
SWK351	Interviewing and Assessment with Individuals This course introduces generalist social work practice, including its philosophy, domains, and values. The role of the practitioner and an overview of the helping process provide the foundation for the study and practice of basic interviewing skills. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: SWK102 Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues	3
POL202W	Understanding Public Policy This course introduces students to the concepts and tools used in the analysis of public policies, and uses these concepts and tools to examine public policies in the United States and other industrial democracies. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: GOV101 American Government and Public Policy POL101 American Government and Public Policy	3
SWK355	Working with Organizations and Communities The focus of this course is generalist social work practice as applied to macro practice activities. It introduces students to generalist social work practice intended to bring changes to organizations, communities, and institutions with the goal of advancing the achievement of individual and collective social and economic justice. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: SWK102 Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues	3

+Minor Requirements

The Social Service Administration minor provides a structured interdisciplinary foundation for understanding the historical roles, importance, and administration of social service and nonprofit organizations in contemporary American society. The minor includes content on the development of social service organizations, the many human needs that they meet and the social problems they address. The minor also provides students with administrative skills and knowledge that will prepare them to work with other professionals in social service and nonprofit organizations.

BUS105	Foundations of Business This course introduces the theory and practice of business and fosters analytical thinking. Students build a foundation for learning by gaining an understanding of business organizations, their structure and functions, the increasingly dynamic and complex global setting in which they compete, and the fundamentals of sustainable business practices.	3
SWK102	Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues This course examines selected social issues as well as related social welfare policies and programs. It introduces the profession of social work, key aspects of the professional knowledge base, fields of practice, and populations served by social workers. This course is appropriate for students who are considering social work as a profession and as well as for those with an interest in related fields such as psychology, counseling, and public policy.	3
BUS452	Managing Nonprofit Organizations Through the use of case studies, assignments, and class projects, this course familiarizes students with the distinctiveness of nonprofit organizations and their management. Specific topics include marketing and fund raising, budgeting, personnel management and supervision, strategic planning and implementation, environmental and program evaluation, and managing interorganizational networks. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: BUS105 Foundations of Business Complete all 2 of the following courses: SWK102 Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues SWK101 Introduction to Sociology	3
SWK321	Social Welfare and Social Justice This course examines the history, development, context, and current status of the American social welfare system. The American system is compared with policies and programs in other countries. The specifics of major welfare programs such as Social Security and Temporary Aid to Needy Families are explored.	3
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SWK101	Introduction to Sociology This course introduces students to the basic sociological concepts, including sociological imagination, socialization, social institutions, social stratification, and social inequality. Emphasis is placed on conceptual tools necessary for the analysis of the influence of social structures on human behavior and life chances.	3
OR
PSY101	General Psychology An introduction to the scientific study of behavior with an emphasis on the origins of behavior, learning, social influences, physiological factors, individual differences, personality, and adjustment and maladjustment.	3
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One of the following:
BUS171	Information Systems and Operations This course explores basic concepts of communication networks (e.g., the Internet), hardware, software, databases, and systems. Students apply information systems to decision making, communication, collaboration and coordination in the operations of contemporary organizations. Students gain skills in word processing, presentation software, data visualization, spreadsheets, and relational databases.	3
BUS230W	Organizational Behavior Organizational behavior is a field of study that seeks to understand, explain, and improve human behavior in organizations. Most organizations focus their efforts on improving job performance and organizational commitment. The purpose of this course is to provide a theoretical foundation and realistic understanding of how human behavior influences the effectiveness of the modern corporation. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: BUS105 Foundations of Business	3
BUS257	Business Law and Business Ethics This course introduces students to the introductory concepts of business law including employment law, social and environmental responsibility of corporations, and international business law. It also emphasizes frameworks for conducting ethical analysis and the analysis of ethical dilemmas.	3
ACT222	Financial Accounting Principles I This course represents an introduction to accounting principles including the accounting process, double-entry bookkeeping, adjusting entries, and the preparation of financial statements. The objectives of this course are to make students aware of the importance of accounting information in every type of organization (private business, not-for-profit, and governmental).	3
BUS272	Principles of Finance This course enables students to apply fundamental ideas of financial economics to problems in corporate finance. Participants will gain an overview of valuation principles, learn basic principles of corporate finance from the perspective of a financial manager, and through case studies, analyze important financial decisions made within firms. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I	3
SWK322W	Social Welfare: Women and Policy This course is designed to examine current issues and policies that impact the lives of women and to explore methods of creating or modifying policies. This course will utilize a comparative policy framework to explore the strengths and weaknesses of current interventions regarding their promotion of social and economic justice.	3
SWK351	Interviewing and Assessment with Individuals This course introduces generalist social work practice, including its philosophy, domains, and values. The role of the practitioner and an overview of the helping process provide the foundation for the study and practice of basic interviewing skills. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: SWK102 Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues	3
INTSSA303	Internship - Social Services Administration Internship - Social Services Administration	3
SWK355	Working with Organizations and Communities The focus of this course is generalist social work practice as applied to macro practice activities. It introduces students to generalist social work practice intended to bring changes to organizations, communities, and institutions with the goal of advancing the achievement of individual and collective social and economic justice. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: SWK102 Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Social Issues	3