Feedback and Support

FIFSW seeks feedback and advice from students, Field Instructors, and others in order to continuously improve the practicum program. Multiple mechanisms for feedback are provided before, during, and after the practicum. In addition, support for issues experienced during the practicum is always available.

Open Door Policy

The Practicum Office has an open-door policy. At any time, students may drop in or contact the office with questions or feedback.

Students may also email or call members of the FIFSW Practicum Office. See the Contact Us page for details.

Students can also bring concerns forward to senior administrators outside of the Practicum Office.

Before the Practicum

Information Sessions

In the lead-up to the practicum, information sessions provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and seek answers.

Drop-in Sessions

Lunchtime drop-in sessions are made available for all Year 1 students prior to the start of practicum, October-December. These opportunities are shared by email and in the weekly MSW student digest.

During the Practicum

During the practicum, students may give feedback about the program or seek support by:

meeting with their Field Instructor;
talking to their Education Coordinator (if applicable); or
calling or emailing their Faculty-Field Liaison (FFL).

Drop-in Sessions

Weekly student “drop-in” sessions are offered throughout the academic year. These opportunities will be shared by email and in the weekly MSW Student Digest.

Student Forums

The Practicum Office hosts student forums to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions as a group and offer feedback. The schedule is posted on the FIFSW website.

Faculty-Field Liaison Meetings

Students meet with their assigned FFL at FIFSW or online throughout the academic year and complete an online FFL Feedback Survey after each scheduled FFL-Student meeting. The Assistant Dean reviews and implements recommendations when possible.

Practicum Advisory Committee

Students may attend Practicum Advisory Committee (PAC) Meetings (September, November, January, March). Alternatively, they may offer feedback to their Practicum Advisory Committee representative, who will bring it forward to the PAC meeting.

PAC is a permanent, independent committee that provides a bridge between the Practicum Office, students, the field, and faculty. To become a PAC representative, email the Graduate Student Association (GSA) to apply.

The purpose of the PAC is to address practicum issues with constituency representation. The PAC may make recommendations to the Practicum Office and MSW Studies Committee in all areas related to the practicum process, including matters of philosophy, policy, practicum models, practicum selection and breadth, and ways in which policy is implemented and practiced. Meetings of the PAC occur twice each term and are open to all constituents.

After the Practicum

Evaluation of Field Settings

Students are asked to provide feedback about their practicum experience via an online questionnaire.

External Assessments

The Practicum program also receives assessments from external partners.

Education Coordinators

The Practicum Office seeks input from the Education Coordinators to ensure that quality standards are met.

Association of Teaching Centres

The Practicum Office also seeks input from the Association of Teaching Centres (ATC), which is made up of agencies who commit to provided four or more practicums each academic year for FIFSW. The ATC mandate includes “providing advice to the faculty for the purpose of furthering the quality of social work education and practice, and contributing to the development of knowledge in social work and social welfare.” (ATC, Terms of Reference, February 2010)

Accreditation

The MSW Program is evaluated by the Commission on Accreditation of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE). The practicum component of the FIFSW MSW program is part of this evaluation.