Columbia University
Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners Specialization
Columbia University

Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners Specialization

Social Welfare Policy for Practitioners & Citizens. For health practitioners, educators, social service providers: anyone who works with people or votes

Taught in English

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John Robertson

Instructor: John Robertson

6,180 already enrolled

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Specialization - 5 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.8

(315 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Compare historical, intellectual and cross-national perspectives on the size, structure and outcomes of U.S. social policy

  • Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. social welfare policy and its economic, social, and political contexts, in order to be an engaged citizen

  • Differentiate the various levels and structures of public benefits, and the social justice impact on people receiving them

  • Formulate skills in social policy implementation in order to be more effective in professional practice

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Specialization - 5 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.8

(315 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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Specialization - 5 course series

US Social Services Compared

Course 116 hours4.7 (143 ratings)

What you'll learn

  • Describe the development of the welfare state across developed nations distinguishing choices made in education, health or pensions

  • Evaluate the structures of the US welfare state to explain US choices in education, health or pensions of those seeking aid.

  • Differentiate the public and private welfare state to interpret structures of education, health or pensions to those seeking services

  • Honors: Summarize and critique readings to professionally interpret them. Identify a topic to a professional memo.

Skills you'll gain

Category: differentiate alternative approaches to social policy problems
Category: Critique components of a social policy based on their effectiveness at meeting the goals stated in the initiative
Category: Formulate practice strategies to overcome the historic biases in social welfare programs
Category: distinguish the values inherent in each social policy initiative
Category: develop social welfare policy analysis and reform proposals

US Social Services: Where did they come from?

Course 214 hours4.9 (53 ratings)

What you'll learn

  • Differentiate the roots of public aid including the “deserving poor” and the “undeserving poor”

  • Explain technological transformation has impacted on work, incomes & families to understand the needs of those seeking services and to reform system

  • identify the role of privilege and White Supremacy in the social welfare systems to transform the system to a more inclusive structure

  • Honors: Summarize and critique readings to professionally interpret them. Develop a research plan for a professional policy analysis.

Skills you'll gain

Category: - Formulate practice strategies to overcome the historic biases in social welfare programs
Category: - Distinguish the values inherent in each social policy initiative
Category: - Critique components of a social policy based on their effectiveness at meeting the goals stated in the initiative
Category: - Differentiate alternative approaches to social policy problems
Category: - Develop social welfare policy analysis and reform proposals

Poverty & Population: How Demographics Shape Policy

Course 312 hours4.8 (142 ratings)

What you'll learn

  • Understand the the US population: age, family structure, education and race/ethnicity to interpret where US social policy is being pushed.

  • Explain poverty & inequality in the US that results in differing levels of privilege, and opportunity to address the needs of those left behind

  • Describe the policy process – legislative, executive, judicial and voluntary – to act to improve US social policy

  • Honors: Report on research of practices on the ground in preparation for a professional policy analysis.

Skills you'll gain

Category: differentiate alternative approaches to social policy problems
Category: Critique components of a social policy based on their effectiveness at meeting the goals stated in the initiative
Category: Formulate practice strategies to overcome the historic biases in social welfare programs
Category: distinguish the values inherent in each social policy initiative
Category: develop social welfare policy analysis and reform proposals

What you'll learn

  • Describe the income and services support system including eligibility and benefits for families, poor families, people with disabilities and seniors

  • Explain the issues involved in addressing the income and service needs of or families, poor families, people with disabilities and seniors

  • Integrate US values debate - the tension between self-sufficiency & investment - in understanding the income and service system for the populations

  • Honors: Develop policy recommendations based on on research of practices on the ground in preparation for a professional policy analysis.

Skills you'll gain

Category: - Formulate practice strategies to overcome the historic biases in social welfare programs
Category: - Distinguish the values inherent in each social policy initiative
Category: - Critique components of a social policy based on their effectiveness at meeting the goals stated in the initiative
Category: - Differentiate alternative approaches to social policy problems
Category: - Develop social welfare policy analysis and reform proposals

Health, Housing, and Educational Services

Course 514 hours4.8 (63 ratings)

What you'll learn

  • Describe the structures of US policy in each of the course’s domains: Housing, schools, healthcare, immigration and child protection

  • Explain the issues involved in developing policy in each of the course’s domains: Housing, schools, healthcare, immigration and child protection

  • Identify the challenges for US policy each of the course’s domains: Housing, schools, healthcare, immigration and child protection

  • Honors: Develop a policy memo for to demonstrate the learner's professional capacity to professionally interpret finding to decision makers.

Skills you'll gain

Category: - Formulate practice strategies to overcome the historic biases in social welfare programs
Category: - Distinguish the values inherent in each social policy initiative
Category: - Critique components of a social policy based on their effectiveness at meeting the goals stated in the initiative
Category: - Differentiate alternative approaches to social policy problems
Category: - Develop social welfare policy analysis and reform proposals

Instructor

John Robertson
Columbia University
5 Courses16,516 learners

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