Practicum Sequence
From September through April, you are encouraged to focus exclusively on your learning in your internship.
The majority of field education at SSW takes place outside of the academic terms, although there are some important elements of field training that occur during the summer, such as field orientations.
During your two supervised internships periods, you will work directly with clients (as individuals or groups), supported by on-site supervisors and training directors at our affiliated centers and by our faculty advisers. Your work with your adviser will include assignments such as monthly narrative and statistical reports, developing a learning plan, an issue-oriented report, and a major case study.
Our Office of Practicum Learning also provides additional training and support through integrative field seminars throughout the year. When you return to campus in the summer, you will have opportunities to bring your field learning into the classroom.
Core Courses
SOCW 510 Preparing for First Year Practicum (1 Quarter Hour)
Coordinating Sequence: Practicum
Fulfills: SSW Core Course
Eligibility: First Year MSW or Advanced Standing Students
This 2-day intensive will prepare students to maximize practicum learning opportunities while removing the mystery and performance anxiety related to starting the practicum.The course will:Introduce key practicum experiences and concepts, such as professional ethics, dual roles, being observed & evaluated, managing conflict and role as learner Explore and practice methods that can enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills Provide skills to successfully navigate the complexities of working with colleagues, supervisors and agencies The course takes place the first month of Winter Term (virtually)
Winter
SOCW 580 Practicum Instruction in Social Work (30 Quarter Hours)
Coordinating Sequence: Practicum
Fulfills: SSW Core Course
Eligibility: First Year MSW Students
M.S.W students are assigned a practicum for 30 hours per week for a period of 34 weeks from September through the end of April, with a two week mid winter break and additional periods of vacation and independent study both prior to and following the practicum period. First year practicum is specifically chosen to provide students a strong general foundation for clinical social work practice.
Winter
SOCW 581 First Year Practicum Learning Seminar (2 Quarter Hours)
Coordinating Sequence: Practicum
Fulfills: SSW Core Course
Eligibility: First Year MSW Students
The First Year Practicum Learning Seminar is designed to help students successfully enter into and engage in the learning of the first year practicum. The seminar will address issues related to the Essential Attributes and Abilities and is designed to support students in achieving the defined learning objectives for first year practicum and to deepen their understanding and integration of content from the summer course work. Students are expected to use the seminar as a forum to discuss their own clinical work and to actively engage in the integration of theory and practice as relevant to their own practicum setting. The course meets for 10 sessions September-April for 2 hours/month.
Winter
SOCW 680 Practicum Instruction in Social Work (30 Quarter Hours)
Coordinating Sequence: Practicum
Fulfills: SSW Core Course
Eligibility: Second Year MSW or Advanced Standing Students
M.S.W. students are assigned a practicum for 30 hours a week for a period of 34 weeks from September through the end of April, with a two week mid-winter break and additional periods of vacation and independent study both prior to and following the practicum period. The second year internship offers an opportunity not only to deepen clinical skills and experience, but to develop areas of specialization within the profession.
Winter
SOCW 681 Second Year Practicum Learning Seminar (2 Quarter Hours)
Coordinating Sequence: Practicum
Fulfills: SSW Core Course
Eligibility: Second Year MSW or Advanced Standing Students
The Second Year Practicum Learning Seminar is designed to support second year students' academic learning process during their practicum. The goal is to foster students' abilities to successfully engage with and integrate multiple conceptual frameworks into direct clinical practice. The seminar will revisit summer course content to provide further continuity and integration during the second year practicum. Students will present their own clinical work and critically examine the treatment process including: systemic and structural dynamics in which the therapeutic relationship unfolds, internal transferential and countertransferential dynamics, and meaning making processes that inform treatment formulations, interventions, and evaluation. The course meets for 10 sessions September-April for 2 hours/month.
Winter