The field practicum provides learning opportunities for students to integrate and apply theory to practice and develop competence in performing social work roles within the framework of social work values. The competency model will be the framework for the practicum and the student will be expected to achieve the second level of competence as defined, that is:
1. Function Within the Professional Context: to develop and demonstrate his/her professional identity as a social worker in respect to commitment to and the provision of service to people;
2. Function Within An Organizational Context: to develop and demonstrate the ability to function within an organizational context;
3. Function Within A Community Context: to develop and demonstrate the ability to function within a community context;
4. to develop and demonstrate the ability to identify and assess problems; to plan and carry out intervention; and to evaluate intervention and utilize feedback;
5. to employ effective communication skills relevant to micro and/or mezzo/macro practice.
The Faculty contracts with a wide range of service settings to offer practice learning in social work modalities. Students select practica from the Faculty contracted resources available in any given year. This is a full-year course of three days per week throughout the academic year. Practicum settings are arranged by the Practicum Office. In April, students have an opportunity to learn about the agencies offering practicum and make decisions about which agencies they wish to select for practicum interviews.
Time Requirements: 21 hours per week, from September to mid-April.
Total Number of days in the Practicum is approximately 75 days.
The days listed above are those set aside in the student’s timetable for the Practicum. However, other days may be used if there is no conflict with classes, and if mutually agreeable to student and instructor and approved by the Faculty/Field Liaison. Students are allowed the regular University holidays and may observe their religious holidays, which fall on Practicum days.
Note: Social Service Administration students will have a practicum in administration with hours modified to allow for participation in the executive model classes. A detailed description of the practicum is noted under the Children and Families Specialization.