SW 7998 Concentration Practicum Work for Social Workers I

SW 7998 Concentration Practicum Practice in Social Work I is a four credit hour practicum practicum course for foundation year students in the MSW program. Practicum placements are assigned by the Coordinator of Practicum Education.

WSU mission statement

Wayne State's mission is to create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities.

School of Social Work mission statement

As a school within an urban research university, the mission of the Wayne State University School of Social Work is to transmit, develop, critically examine, and apply knowledge to advance social work practice and social welfare policy in order to promote social, cultural and economic justice for the betterment of poor, vulnerable, and oppressed individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and society, by:

preparing ethical and competent social work generalists, advanced practitioners and scholars at the B.S.W., M.S.W., and Ph.D. levels, respectively, with learning that primarily emphasizes urban settings;
conducting research, primarily relevant to urban populations; and
providing innovative leadership and service to the urban community and the profession

Course description

Practicum of MSW program integrated with courses in social work method, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare organization and policy, and research. Coreq: one course in a social work method. Offered for S, M, and U marks only. Open only to MSW students. The ratio of clock hours to credits is 56.25 to 1. Practicum placements are assigned by staff within the Office of Practicum Education, overseen by the Director of Practicum Education.

A minimum of 4 (four) credits are required for each of two semesters. Each credit hour equals 56.25 clock hours. A minimum number of 225 clock hours per semester is required for a total of 450 clock hours.

Co-requisites: course in social work methods and practicum seminar are required according to the level of the student.

Course competencies and behaviors

Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
1. Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context
2. Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations
3. Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication
4. Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes
5. Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior
Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
1. Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
2. Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences
3. Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.
Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
1. Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels
2. Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.
Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
1. Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research
2. Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings
3. Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.
Engage in Policy Practice
1. Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services
2. Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services
3. Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
1. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies
2. Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.
Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
1. Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;
2. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies;
3. Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies
4. Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
1. Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;
2. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies
3. Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;
4. Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies
5. Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals
Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
1. Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;
2. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes;
3. Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes
4. Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Analyze the impact of the urban context on a range of client systems, including practice implications
1. Examine the distinct characteristics of the urban context and apply the analysis to social work practice

Texts and required material

The Practicum Education Manual, Wayne State University, School of Social Work.

The practicum instructor may assign readings as part of orientation and on-going instruction.

Classroom assignments often draw material from the practicum placement. Students will need to clear with the practicum instructor the use of such material used in a written assignment. All such material must be disguised to maintain confidentiality. Students often find it helpful to bring other classroom materials to the practicum placement where the practicum instructor can help the student with connections and integration of content and practice.

Performance criteria

Through written assignments (learning plan, process recordings and other), supervision sessions and participation in agency meetings/programs, students will be expected to achieve the learning outcomes identified in the Learning Plan. Student performance is rated each semester using evaluations (mid-term and Practicum Instructor Assessment of Student Competency (FIASC) at end of semester) with Behaviors noted and corresponding with each competency. The student's performance achievement is rated for each criterion by the practicum instructor on a scale that ranges from "Does Not Meet Minimum Competency" to "Exceeds Minimum Competency".

The practicum instructor prepares a written description of the student's assignments and other practicum education experience, the nature of the population serviced, and the learning activities used to evaluate the student's performance achievement.

The "Practicum Instructor Assessment of Student Competency, Master of Social Work Core Year" is an integral part of the syllabus.

Grading and assignments

Faculty Practicum Liaisons will provide detailed syllabus for assignments and requirements, including but not limited to Due Dates for Learning Plan, Process Recordings, Mid-Term evaluation and the FIASC.

Grading policy

Grades for SW 7998 Practicum Work for Social Workers I are assigned by the faculty advisor. The marks for this course may be one of the following: S=Satisfactory, M=Marginal, U=Unsatisfactory.

A mark of "U" results in termination form the program. Two marks of "M" result in termination. A mark of "M" and two grades of "B-" in classroom courses results in termination. Refer to the School's policy "Academic Termination and Reinstatement" for additional information. See policies on Academic Termination and Reinstatement for additional information.

Organization of the course

Practicum work days for Core Year students are Monday and Tuesday, for a total of approximately 16 clock hours per week. The minimum number required to meet the clock hours required for a semester is 225. A semester is 15 weeks. Students must remain in placement for the entire semester even if the minimum number of clock hours is attained before the end of the semester. Students are to observe the number of hours considered as an "agency day" at the practicum placement site. The MSW Core Year practicum placement experience may consist of

An orientation
Observation
Assignment to practice tasks
Practicum instruction conferences
Mid-term review of performance
Continuation and refinement of assignment including additional tasks
Evaluation and recommendations for next term
Opportunities for professional development via agency designated workshops, meetings and observations throughout the term

Role of the student and instructor

Students are expected to take charge of their own learning. For additional information about the role of students and instructors and learning process, See Wayne State University's statement of faculty and student Obligations to the Instructional Process located in the Academic Regulations sections of the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Policies for this course

Students must consult the Practicum Education Manual, Practicum Instructor, Faculty Practicum Liaison, or Office of Practicum Education for details for items that may be listed under this section, including:

SSW Policies and Forms
Attendance policy
Electronic communication policy
Late or missing assignments
Incomplete grade policy
Inclement weather

WSU student resources

Course learning units

The Learning Plan will be prepared with the practicum instructor and will identify the outcomes that students will achieve each semester. Student, Practicum Instructor and Faculty Practicum Liaison will all sign this plan via the management system used by the OFE. The student prepares the Learning Plan at the beginning of the practicum placement and modifies it with the help of the practicum instructor as the student grows in knowledge and skill and as areas are identified that will contribute especially to the students professional growth.

Course assignments

Assignments are those made by the practicum instructor. [See "Practicum Instructor Assessment of Student Competency, Master of Social Work - Foundation Year"].

Bibliography

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Updated August 4, 2022