Practicum Education Manual

The Practicum Education Manual is the guidebook for practicum placement at the School of Social Work. The manual:

  • Defines the role and responsibilities of all persons involved in practicum education;
  • Explains the goals of each program, the Office of Practicum Education (OPE), and the School of Social Work;
  • Details the policies and procedures used in our office; and Includes all of the documents used in field placement. 

Table of contents

I.  Introduction

  1. Mission Statement
  2. Non-Discrimination and Equality-of-Opportunity Policy

II.  Overview of Field Education

  1. Objectives of Field Education
    1. Importance of Field Education
  2. Field Education and the Urban Mission
  3. Organization and Coordination of Field Education
  4. Office of Field Education
  5. Professional & Technical Standards
  6. Field Education Health Clearance Policy
  7. FAQ-Frequently asked questions

III.  Roles and Responsibilities of Involved Parties

  1. Overview
  2. Professional Conduct
  3. Field Placement Site
  4. Director of Field Education
  5. Placement Assistant
  6. Faculty Field Liaison
    1. Faculty Field Liaison Visits
  7. Field Instructor
    1. Field Instructor Seminars
    2. Field Instructor Meetings with Student
    3. Field Instructor Evaluation of Field Experience
  8. Task Supervisor
  9. Student
    1. General Responsibilities
    2. Responsibilities Prior to Beginning Field Placement
    3. Responsibilities When Doing Field Placement
    4. Student Evaluation of Field Experience

IV.  Field Education for Undergraduate Students: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

  1. Goal of the BSW Program
  2. Objectives of the BSW Program
  3. Field Education Requirements for the BSW Degree
  4. Senior Year Student Requirements and Assignments
  5. Part-time Study
  6. Block Placement
  7. Three-day-per-week Placement
  8. Place of Employment (POE)
  9. Dual Relationships with agency
  10. BSW Senior Year SW 4998 Syllabus 

V.  Field Education for Graduate Students: Master of Social Work (MSW)

  1. Goal of the MSW Program
  2. Descriptions and Objectives of the MSW Program
    1. Foundation Year Description and Objectives
    2. Advanced Year Description and Objectives
  3. Field Education Requirements for the MSW Degree
  4. Foundation Year Student Requirements and Assignments
  5. Advanced Year Student Requirements and Assignments
    1. Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership (I-CPL)
    2. Interpersonal Practice (IP)
  6. Advanced Standing Status
  7. Part-time Study
  8. Three-day-per-week Placement
  9. Place of Employment (POE)
  10. Dual Relationships
  11. MSW Foundation Year SW 7998 Syllabus
  12. MSW Advanced Year SW 8998 Syllabus

VI.  Field Education Placement Policies, Procedures, and Processes

  1. Field Placement Process
    1. IPE Student Detail Page
    2. Field Placement Interview
    3. Suggested Questions for Field Placement Interviews
    4. Nature of Field Placement
  2. Selection of Field Placement Site
  3. Change of Field Placement
  4. Selection of Field Instructor
    1. Field Instructor Requirements
      1. State of Michigan Social Worker Licensure
    2. New Field Instructor
    3. Change of Field Instructor
  5. Field Placement Policies and Procedures
    1. No Academic Credit for Life and/or Work Experience
    2. Academic Calendar
    3. Attendance at Field Placement
    4. Criminal History Advisement
    5. Drug Screening Advisement
    6. Field Placement Site Locations
    7. Field Placement at Agency with Family Member(s) or Client Status
    8. Offer of Employment by Internship Agency
    9. Place of Employment (POE) Field Placement
    10. Student Participation on School Committees
    11. Advocacy
    12. Letters of Reference for Graduating Students
    13. Extension of Field Placement
    14. Official Strikes at Field Placement
    15. Student Use of Private Vehicle
    16. Student Professional Liability Insurance
    17. Resolution of Problems Regarding Field Placement
      1.  Corrective Action Plan   
    18. Wayne State University Policy on Student Injuries    
    19. Student Safety 
    20. Affiliation Agreement
    21. Field Placement Clock Hours
      1. Verification
      2. Requirements for Degree Programs
      3. Acceptable Activities for Obtainment of Clock Hours
      4. Clock Hours and Credit Hours
    22. Classroom Assignments
    23. Jury Duty

VII.  Forms and Applications

    1. Offer of Employment by Internship Agency Policy and Application
    2. Place of Employment (POE) Field Placement Policy and Application
    3. Corrective Action Plan
    4. Midterm Evaluation
    5. Field Instructor Assessment of Student Competencies
      1. SW 4998: Senior year- BSW Senior FIASC
      2. SW 7998: Foundation year (first year)- MSW Foundation Year FIASC
      3. SW 8998: Advanced year (second year & pre-candidate)
        1. MSW Advanced Year IP FIASC
        2. MSW Advanced Year ICPL FIASC