SWK 4010 - FIELD EXPERIENCE I

credits: 11.0
This course is the social work field experience. This course requires students to complete a field experience at an approved setting where the student will be exposed to the field of social work. The experience is two terms, Fall and Winter, and is a total of 420 hours. Field education is the signature pedagogy of social work. This course is the social work field experience where students will be exposed to the professional world of social work through a 220 hour field experience. The student will be required to complete 220 hours during the fall term of their senior year at a location approved by the social work program. The student will engage in social work practice which may include, depending upon the setting, assessment, intervention and program planning, program evaluation, research, and advocacy. The field experience requires students to utilize the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. Objectives: A) Understand how to apply the NASW Code of Ethics to professional practice; B) Understand the limitations of service delivery; C) Demonstrate critical thinking skills to inform decision making in the professional setting; D) Apply knowledge and skills learned in prior coursework to the professional setting. Method of Instruction: Experiential learning. Method of Evaluation: The course will be on a pass-fail basis. The student will be evaluated by their social work field supervisor in consultation with the placement supervisor to determine if the student is displaying competence and achieving completion of goals set forth in their learning plan. The student will be required to complete a weekly field timesheet and activity log. This shall be signed by the student and the placement supervisor to assure accuracy of the student experience. The activity log shall also identify which social work competencies are connected to the content of the week. The full 220 hours need to be completed prior to the end of term. The schedule of days/hours will be set by the field supervisor and student.

Prerequisite(s): Senior status and must be taken with Field Seminar I, SWK 4011.
Co-Requisite(s): SWK 4011.