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The
field practicum is one of the identified sequences in the Program's
curriculum. The field placement is a clearly designed educational
experience. The student investigates the field-agency policies,
service-delivery system, and organizational structure upon first
entering the agency. The first field assignment is the completion
of a field-agency agreement that is built upon an understanding
of the agency and a definition of the educational goals to be accomplished
while in the practicum. Students actually carry a case load within
the agency under direct supervision of the field instructors. In
addition, students assess client systems from micro, mezzo, and
macro perspectives. They work with client systems of varying sizes,
and are expected to use interventions that include individual, family,
group, organizational, and community systems. It is with these client
systems that students implement models of practice-theories and
skills and utilize the generalist problem-solving approach. Sensitivity
to human diversity is encouraged by requiring students to work with
clients who are from backgrounds unlike their own.
Self-awareness is promoted by the active use of supervision
and by the use of weekly logs and process recordings in which students
record, not only their activities, but also their feelings, insights
and concerns.
During the field practicum the student also completes
a research project. The Field Instructor assists the student in
designing a research project that is congruent with the practicum
and the agency. Students are required to participate in relevant
in-service training and workshops while in the field practicum.
Also, the students are required to visit and familiarize themselves
with other human service agencies.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 400
hours of field work under the supervision of a field instructor
and attend a weekly seminar class. Students are required to work
in their field placement agencies the entire semester and participate
in weekly seminar classes even if they complete the 400 hours before
the end of the semester. Students are reminded that their internship
is a course requirement that lasts the entire semester. The field
practicum course is taken in the students' senior year. Time sheets
are used for recording hours completed in the agency. Students'
total grades are based on performance in the field, evaluation,
written assignments, and preparation for field seminar classes.
The field seminar class meets on a weekly basis.
The field seminar class is designed so that students can discuss
their involvement with cases in their assigned agencies. Students
are encouraged to process issues, concerns and problems encountered
in the agency. Also, students are expected to complete classroom
and homework assignments. Lectures are designed to enhance students'
understanding of generalist social work practice.
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Department of Social Work
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