Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
In this course, you will learn how social workers in the United States engage in creating change and supporting the resilience of individuals, families and communities in this new era.
Learners will have an opportunity to explore the social work profession, the different roles of social workers in a range of settings, the cross cutting themes that guide social work practice, the history of social work, and current challenges.
Using a social justice lens, learners will reflect on current challenges facing the lives of individuals, families and communities and examine ways to advocate for needed changes.
This course can be taken as a stand-alone learning experience or as part of the "Social Work: Practice, Policy, and Research MasterTrack Certificate Program."
Status: Systems Thinking
Systems Thinking
Status: Advocacy
Advocacy
Beginner·Course·13 hours
Featured reviews
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 26, 2022
I love to learn social work. After taking this course, I want more and more.
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 17, 2021
it was a great experience with all the fundamentals provided and very helpful when we fail the 1st attempt there is a 2nd attempt to learn our mistake and get an outcome.
4.0
·Reviewed Mar 28, 2022
Excellent learning opportunity. I got to take this course with financial assistance. Much appreciated.
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 21, 2021
well taught in full explanations, gaining skills like your in face to face class hence its online
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 11, 2021
This course was super amazing, i had so much fun and i have learnt a lot, i am really grateful l for this experience.
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 29, 2022
A very insightful, helpful, and personally impactful overview of introductory social work principles.
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 20, 2022
II am honored to have obtained the certificate...beyond the certificate we must practice social justice everywhere and everywhere..
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 24, 2021
I really enjoyed the writing prompts. I probably went overlong on all of them, but it was a good way for me to reflect on my new earning, my previous learning, and where I stand today.
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 21, 2020
A great opportunity to learn and relearn from this course. Thank University o Michigan for preparing and presenting this course online to students of all disciplines world wide.
5.0
·Reviewed Mar 23, 2021
This course was very good at teaching a deeper understanding of Social Work. I enjoyed the learning process and the materials were very organized and informative.
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 17, 2020
Was a great experience to learn about the history of social work, and the differents behavior analysis.
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 8, 2020
This is a very informative course that should be undertaken by everyone in humanitarian sector.
All reviews
Showing: 19 of 105
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P
Pako
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 5, 2020
Its a great course that gives insight into what is really happening in the field of social work. I like that those who are far off into the field share their experiences and how they continue to deal with issues in their work.
G
Ghulam
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 22, 2020
A great opportunity to learn and relearn from this course. Thank University o Michigan for preparing and presenting this course online to students of all disciplines world wide.
J
jonathan
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 10, 2020
It was enlightening and educative
A
Awaiz
1.0
·Reviewed May 12, 2023
They let you start free, and then ask you to pay when you have to submit the assignment of first module. HORRIBLE!!!!!
B
Brittany
5.0
·Reviewed Jan 3, 2021
I am so pleased with this introductory course, and the availability of the knowledge and tools given by the University of Michigan. I wanted to take this course to see if this could be a potential career change for me, and I can say this really empowered me and strengthened my drive to help others in the way I have always felt the need to, but now I have added confidence and a knowing that this is definitely where I see my future to moving towards. Thank you so much for this opportunity and offering access to this type of education for all types of people.
H
Hector
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 18, 2022
My Social Work Practice Advocating Social Justice and Change course was great! I learned so much about the different Social Work framework models and focuses that this wonderful field of Social Science, has to offer. I’m presently considering taking the flex and fast track for the Masters Certification in order to become more marketable within six months period. Am very excited about the core classes and the professors as well. Excellent school of Social Work.
K
Kimberly
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 22, 2020
Very Awesome Course, I love it! Thank You University of Michigan. :)
D
Darrah
1.0
·Reviewed Aug 20, 2025
i didnt know i had to pay for the certificate i did the work but have nothing to show for it
N
Nawaf
4.0
·Reviewed Feb 7, 2021
I really enjoyed the course! I sincerely hope this course has a sequel where the instructors can give both intermediate and advanced level curriculum which involves mathematics used in social work, as well as economics, public policy, debating skills, and research methodologies. Other than that, I liked the course. Well done!
B
Belgin
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 12, 2020
Thank you. These lectures are so inspiring and thought-provoking. Awareness of social justice and diversity are so important for understanding this era and of course history. Everyone must know whats going on in this earth and take responsibility for social change, that fair, equal, including diversity.
J
Jasmine
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 30, 2022
Great overview on the fundamentals of Social Work. Would recommend for anyone, whether you're interested in pursuing a career in social work or trying to be more self aware as a person in society.
M
Morris
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 24, 2021
I really enjoyed the writing prompts. I probably went overlong on all of them, but it was a good way for me to reflect on my new earning, my previous learning, and where I stand today.
N
Nahla
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 18, 2021
it was a great experience with all the fundamentals provided and very helpful when we fail the 1st attempt there is a 2nd attempt to learn our mistake and get an outcome.
A
AGOUMI
4.0
·Reviewed Sep 5, 2022
Taking an e-learning course was a new experience for me. I enjoyed it very much. Week after week, I learned more and more about the life of social workers, which made me want to be one of them more.
J
Jonathan
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 12, 2024
Being very unfamiliar with the wide range of what Social Work 'is' and what Social Workers 'do', this course for me was the final catalyst to help me decide that I will be devoting much of my time to studying Social Work formally. I love that "hope" is such a key element. Thanks to everyone that devoted some of their time to making this course available online and so easily accessible. It is good work you do. Thank you for your time and effort. I am hopeful that one day I will contribute somewhere in a minor role. Many thanks will go to this course and the people that made it happen.
The course, in summary, is inspiring. Best word I can think of. Inspired.
R
Ron
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 12, 2023
It is a great course for people who are considering social work practice. I hope there will be more case studies for us to get a taste of practising with social work frameworks. But I think this is a great course to understand social work (esp. in an American context) and what U-M's more than a century-old SSW has offered, which is fabulous. Eye-opening for non-American students incl me!
S
shaikh
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 13, 2022
I never knew that online course can be this much helpfull. Course was designed so perfect as it started giving you knowledge from basis and the increasing you advanced knowledge. All prfessors explained thing very well. most importantly questions were so interactive that i loved solving them. Great expereince . It added more valeu to my educational study. Thank you
E
Elif
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 17, 2022
This was an excellent course that gives different perspectives on the field of social work. Awareness of social justice, privilege, diversity are important for understanding societies and our world.
I'm grateful for the University of Michigan and Coursera. I highly recommend this course if you are interested in Social Work. Thank you!
C
Chika
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 5, 2022
I will say that the journey through this course has been thrilling, impactful and challenging as well. The content, style of delivery and quality of teachers really beat my original expectations. I am really impressed and motivated to take more courses from the University of Michigam school of social work (SSW).