SOWK 784: Field Instruction IV (IFG)

Course Syllabus

I. Purpose/Rationale of the Course

The profession of social work has long recognized the importance of providing instruction, which includes an application of the skills and theories taught in the classroom.  The field courses furnish students with an opportunity to begin the practice of professional social work in a controlled and planned setting.

II. Content of the Course

This is the final semester of placement for students in the Individuals, Families, and Groups concentration.  The two major areas of content in the course will be (1) increased skill in the appropriate selection and utilization of treatment choices; and (2) increased independence on the part of the student.

This course is a practicum course with direct instruction offered by an agency based field instructor.  Therefore, the specific learning experiences offered to the students will be tailored somewhat to the resources of the agency as well as the needs of the student.   Practicum content will ink with the content of second year Individual, Families, and Groups courses.  

II. Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to broaden the direct practice skills of the student in situations involving diverse client populations.  

A student who successfully completes this course should be able to:

1.      Demonstrate a professional identity reflected in professional behaviors and a commitment to the profession's values and ethics.

2.   Critically evaluate a range of practice theories and differentially applies the most appropriate ones to any given client system.

3.   Plan, implement, and evaluate interventions with individuals, families, and groups given their diverse, and at-risk characteristics, and their presenting problems and strengths.

4.   Evaluate the effectiveness of client interventions.

5.   Use technology to further the mission and goals of the field agency.

IV. Methods of Instruction

The field instructor will continue to utilize the field placement learning contract that was developed in close collaboration with the student and reviewed by the field liaison.

Normally, students are placed in a social service organization and supervised by a MSW field instructor for two days a week concurrent with classes for the academic year. Learning experiences will be provided by the agency.

The field instructor maintain an ongoing evaluation of the student’s progress and complete written semester and final evaluations of the student. Final grades are given as either Satisfactory ‘S” or Unsatisfactory “U”.