Human Biology for Social Workers

Course Description

NOTE: This course does not carry any college credit but does meet the admission requirements for the MSW Program at Texas State University-San Marcos.

This course teaches the basics of human biology and its connection to social work practice. Biology is an important part of understanding social work clients, and often the client's or client system's presenting problems overlap in many ways with the biological factors such as health status, genetic variables, substance abuse, or environmental toxins. This course has 14 units divided into four major sections.
    Part 1: Human Biology
    Part 2: Evolution, Genetics, and Inheritance
    Part 3: Human Problems, Issues, and Biology
    Part 4: Emerging Issues in Human Biology
Students complete and submit essay questions for each of the 14 units within the 15-week time limit specified at the time of enrollment.

Course Variations

Course:    Human Biology for Social Workers (standard completion certificate)
Cost:     $150.00 plus textbook
Hours:     15 total hours

Course: Human Biology for Social Workers (CEU certificate)
Cost:       $160.00 plus textbook
Hours:    15 total hours

Course: Human Biology for Social Workers with Ethics Component (standard completion certificate)
Cost:       $160.00 plus textbook
Hours:     12 hours + 3 hours Ethics (total 15 hours)

Course: Human Biology for Social Workers with Ethics Component (CEU certificate)
Cost: $170.00 plus textbook
Hours: 12 hours + 3 hours Ethics (total 15 hours)

Text

Leon Ginsberg, Larry Nackerud, & Christopher R. Larrison.
Human Biology for Social Workers: Development, Ecology, Genetics, and Health
Boston: Pearson Education, Inc., 2004. ISBN: 0-205-34405-4

Cost varies by distributor; it's usually about $50 new plus shipping. It can sometimes be purchased used for less from Amazon.Com, a university ookstore, etc.

It is the student's responsibility to obtain the text in a timely manner.

Time Limits

You have 15 weeks to complete this course. Do not enroll until you are sure you have the time to complete the course. We recommend you complete 2 units a week and finish the course in 7 weeks.

Submitting Assignments

Students submit all assignments at the same time at the end of the course (recommended 7 weeks; maximum time is 15 weeks). Every page of each assignment must be identified with the student's code number, and all pages and questions must be numbered. Students should restate the question at the top of the page and then provide a 300-500 word response following the question. Responses longer than 500 words or shorter than 300 words will not be graded. Standard fonts such as Times/Courier are preferred.

Eligibility to Enroll

Any student who has completed an undergraduate degree in any field is eligible to take this course. Students applying for admission to MSW degree programs, who need content in human biology, receive enrollment preference. There may be limitations on the number of students who can be enrolled in any given time period. Apply early.

Registration Confirmation

After processing your registration, you will be sent an email welcoming you to the course and giving you important course information. If you do not receive this email in a timely manner, contact the Office of Continuing Education.

Cancellation Policy

Students may cancel up to 14 days after registration without penalty. There will be a $25.00 processing fee for cancellation. No refunds after 14 days.

Registration Form

Click here to download form.