Practicum is the signature pedagogy of Social Work Education. It is here that social work students learn and apply theoretical knowledge and practice through the use of social work methods and skills, integrate the learning from class into practice, develop appropriate professional uses of self, and further develop identification with the social work profession.
CURRICULUM YEARS:
BSW and Generalist-
All BSW and 1st-Year/MSSW Generalist students (Including first year MSSW/MSCFT students) are required to complete 225 practicum hours each semester for a grand total of 450 practicum hours for the academic year. Students should schedule at least 16 practicum hours per week in the fall and spring semesters. In the shorter summer semester, students taking practicum in the summer will average 20-21 hours a week in practicum. (Note that BSW students only are in practicum in the fall and spring.)
Specialized-
All Advanced-Standing, 2nd-Year/MSSW, and MSSW/MSCFT Specialized students are required to complete 250 practicum hours each semester for a grand total of 500 practicum hours for the academic year. Students will average a minimum of 18 practicum hours per week in the fall and spring semesters and those in practicum in the shorter summer semester will average 22-23 hours a week in practicum.
PRACTICUM ROLE CRITERIA:
A key to a positive and growing learning experience for a student is the supervision and guidance they are getting at an agency. Practicum Instructors and (if applicable) Task Supervisors are key in this.
Practicum Instructor Criteria-
The Practicum Student must be supervised by a qualified social worker with a Bachelor's [BSW students only] or Master's degree in Social Work (MSW/MSSW) from a CSWE accredited program and a minimum of two (2) years, full-time post-bachelors or master's experience. Practicum Instructors with a BSW, MSW, or MSSW degree and state-licensed credentials are preferred but not required. Practicum Instructors are primarily responsible for providing learning opportunities that facilitate student growth within the profession. Supporting this responsibility is part of the Practicum Instructors' commitment to professional training and the profession of social work. Prospective Practicum Instructors are required to submit a completed UL Kent Practicum Instructor Information Form. The Practicum Education Office will verify the education and social work credentials to ensure that all meet the programmatic criteria to provide practicum instruction and supervision.
Agency Task Supervisor Criteria-
A Task Supervisor is an agency employee without their BSW or MSW/MSSW degree OR with their BSW or MSW/MSSW degree but with less than two years of post-graduate, social work experience. That said, Task Supervisors have experience in the area and/or program to which students will be assigned. If an agency does not employ a social worker with a BSW, MSW, or MSSW degree, arrangements should be made with other agencies for a qualified Practicum Instructor. If the agency cannot locate a qualified Practicum Instructor, the agency can consult with the Practicum Coordinator for options. The Practicum Instructor and Practicum Liaison work closely with the Task Supervisor to ensure that practicum standards are maintained and that students get a social work focused practicum.
Guidelines for Off-Site Practicum Instruction/Supervision-
There are times that the Practicum Instructor is not in the agency at all but the agency has secured the services of someone outside the agency who is qualified to provide the practicum (BSW/MSW) supervision and who meets the criteria for being a Practicum Instructor.
The Off-Site Practicum Instructor is expected to work with the Agency Task Supervisor to identify and develop appropriate social work learning activities to ensure the Practicum Student develops core social work competencies. The Off-Site Practicum Instructor is a resource for both the Student(s) and Agency Task Supervisor while providing educational and supportive supervision.
Responsibilities of the Practicum Instructor
Review the Kent School Practicum Education policies, guidelines, and forms
Complete Practicum Instructor Training
Plan and implement student orientation to the agency, including an introduction to agency personnel and to persons of collateral significance. (If you are Off-Site Practicum Instructor coordinate this with the task supervisor)
Interpret policy, legal structure, rules and regulations
Acquaint students with client systems and their interactions with the agency
Determine student learning needs and give direction through which these needs are met
Work with the student (and if applicable the Task Supervisor) to identify appropriate learning activities
Comply with the general and specific conditions enumerated in the Affiliation Agreement
Assist with the development of the Competency Development Plan and monitor the student's progress
Provide continued assessment of student skills and knowledge and provide student feedback through the use of rubrics, verbal and written comments
Participate in the Introductory meeting, and Mid-Term and Final Evaluation conference meetings
Promote student development of critical thinking skills.
Provide the student 1 hour of dedicated formal supervision/consultation each week, focusing on the integration of social work knowledge, values and skills for the duration of the practicum. This hour of supervision is to be entered in the Student's timesheet by the student. (See the handbook for more detail.)
Maintain regular contact with the Agency Task Supervisor (If applicable) to monitor student performance
Complete the Mid-Term Evaluation and Final Evaluation (coordinating with the agency Task Supervisor if applicable)
Review and verify Student's timesheets. (If there is a Task Supervisor you will approve the student's supervision hours with you, and the task supervisor will approve the onsite practicum activities and hours.)
Communicate concerns to Practicum Liaison in a timely manner
Submit Critical Incident reports, as needed, and complete needed follow-up
Provide written summaries regarding concerning incidents if the student has a Practicum Professional Standards Review
Responsibilities of the Agency Task Supervisor -
Review the Kent School Practicum Education policies, guidelines, and forms
Complete the Task Supervisor Training
Create a communication plan and establish expectations with the Practicum Student and Practicum Instructor
Orient the Student to the agency
Collaborate with the Student and Practicum Instructor to create a comprehensive practicum experience
Provide guidance, direction and training for the student
Provide frequent feedback about the student's performance to the Student and Practicum Instructor
Participate in the midterm and final evaluation conference meetings or confer with the Practicum Instructor who is completing the evaluations
Address and report performance concerns to the Practicum Instructor
If there is an Off-site Practicum Instructor, approve all on-site practicum activities/hours
Collaborate with the Practicum Instructor to complete critical incident reports, as/if needed
The following information and resources are available in SONIA; which is an online practicum platform Kent School adopted to support all those involved in the practicum experience.
The following is a listing of the available resources:
The Practicum Education Handbook (be sure to review the Policy Section)
Practicum Calendar (listing of relevant timeframes for conferences and assignments with Practicum Faculty Liaisons)
Practicum Hour Schedule (helpful in determining if students are on track with their practicum hours)
Supervision Templates (recommended to help students learn to prepare for supervision and provide an outline for note taking)
Task and Responsibilities Charts for BSW, MSSW, and MSSW-CFT Students
Forms:
Action Plan
Action Plan Evaluation
Competency Development Plan (for each semester)
Critical Incident Report Form
Final Evaluation Form (for each semester)
Mid-Term Evaluation Form (for each semester)
Volunteer Statement