Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 520 – Practicum & Integrating Seminar I

Credits - 4

Description

Practicum & Integrating Seminar I & II is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised generalist social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organizational setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level generalist social work skills. The seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication and critical thinking skills as well as discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Students use seminar class to monitor their own learning experience and progress in attaining educational and professional goals. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply, and discuss classroom learnings into their practicum setting. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility. SSWO 52O provides a venue for students to establish, broaden and deepen their generalist social work practice. Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers
https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp in their practice with clients and agencies/organizations.

Materials

Required Readings

These readings are provided for you or are otherwise available for free.

  • UNE School of Social Work – Online Practicum Education Manuals
  • Integrating Seminar I/Practicum Syllabus
  • NASW Code of Ethics
  • United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
  • World Health Organization’s Definition of Health  
  • International Federation of Social workers’ (IFSW) Policy statement on Health
  • IFSW’s Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles Additional

Required Technology

Webcam, Scanner, YouTube Account (already available through your UNE login credentials with Google)

Suggested Texts

The following books are listed as a resource. You are NOT required to buy them and they will NOT be used in this course for any specific assignments. We do feel they will be a helpful resource should you opt to purchase them for your own library.

  • Royse, D., Surjit, S., Lewis, E. (2010). Field Instruction: A Guide For Social Work Students (7th ed.). Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 978-1478635291
  • Ward, K. & Mama, R. (2019). Breaking out of the box: adventure-based field instruction (4th ed.). Lyceum Books. ISBN: 978-0190095307

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

  1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
  2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
  3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
  4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
  5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
  6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
  7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior (EPAS 1)
  2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice (EPAS 2)
  3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice Competency (EPAS 3)
  4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice Competency (EPAS 4)
  5. Engage in Policy Practice (EPAS 5)
  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities (EPAS 6)
  7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities (EPAS 7)
  8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities (EPAS 8)
  9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities (EPAS 9)

Assignments

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:

Readings and Multimedia

There are two recommend texts in this course. While there are not prescribed readings from these texts, you are required to read and utilize throughout the course. Your instructor may integrate and suggest readings throughout the modules. Additional readings in the modules will be introduced as the forms and supporting documents needed for completion. There are a few videos presented as learning material, but the majority of videos in this course are student-created each week.

Discussions

Each week you will engage in weekly video assignments and discuss some of your peers’ practicum experiences. You will also post self-care tips that you are employing and discuss them with your classmates. There are several optional discussion boards in this course that you may utilize to ask questions about a specific assignment. You will have discussion opportunities about safety in your agency and community.

Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments

There are several assignments in this course, which are all tailored around strengthening your practicum and seminar experiences. These assignments will be collaborative with your practicum instructor and seminar instructor and there will be plenty of time for review, comment, and submission. These will be highlighted throughout the course along with several reminders and prompts to get started. All of your assignments (including all of your forms) must be submitted via the assignment link and not via email. Any assignments (including all of your forms) submitted through Send Email or email will not be accepted.

Grading and Feedback 

Feedback will be provided within the assignment submission tool.

Please note that the late policy is different for seminars/practicum and the academic course late policy does not apply.

Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course Schedule. Each assignment or discussion submitted late will earn half credit. If you do not complete the entire assignment you will only receive half the point value for that assignment. If you post to the discussion board after the week has ended you will not earn any credit. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. You must earn 80 of 100 points to pass the seminar/placement course.

Please note that the late policy is different for seminars/practicum and the academic course late policy does not apply.

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentPoint ValuePercentage of Grade
Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement 1 point1%
Introduce Yourself (Due: Week 1)1 point1%
Weekly Self-Care Corner (Due Sunday by 11:59p EST)32 points (2 point x 16 weeks)32%
Video Assignment (Due Wednesday by 11:59p EST)16 points (2 points x 8 videos)16%
Weekly response to all videos (Due Sunday by 11:59p EST)30 points (2 points x 15 weeks)30%
Statement of Understanding (Due: Week 1)1 point1%
Safety Agreement (Due: Week 3)1 point1%
Safety Discussion (Due: Week 4)1 point1%
Learning Contract (Due: Week 5)6 points6%
Practicum Visit Scheduled (Due by: Week 5)1 point1%
Practicum Visit Completed (Due: Week 6-12)1 points1%
Process recording (Due: Week 12)3 points3%
Placement Evaluation submission (Due: Week 15)6 points6%
Total100 points100%

Schedule

Course Weeks

Week 1: Jan 15 – Jan 21
Week 2: Jan 22 – Jan 28
Week 3: Jan 29 – Feb 4
Week 4: Feb 5 – Feb 11
Week 5: Feb 12 – Feb 18
Week 6: Feb 19 – Feb 25
Week 7: Feb 26 – Mar 3
Week 8: Mar 4 – Mar 10
Week 9: Mar 11 – Mar 17
Week 10: Mar 18 – Mar 24
Week 11: Mar 25 – Mar 31
Week 12: Apr 1 – Apr 7
Week 13: Apr 8 – Apr 14
Week 14: Apr 15 – Apr 21
Week 15: Apr 22 – Apr 28
Week 16: Apr 29 – May 5

All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. E.T. on the dates listed below.

Unless otherwise specified, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit.

WEEK 1

Welcome to Seminar: Introduction  

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: What is Practicum Instruction: Helpful Hints for Students and Practicum Instructors
  • Document: Online Practicum Education Manual 
  • Document: Statement of Understanding
  • Web Site: NASW Code of Ethics
  • Web Site: International Federation of Social Workers Code of Ethics
  • Web Site: World Health Organization
  • Web Site: United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

Discussions:

  • Introduction to the class (Due: Sunday)
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)

Assignments:

  • Practicum Video Confidentiality Statement
  • Technology and Telehealth Release Form
  • Statement of Understanding

WEEK 2

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

WEEK 3

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Safety Contract
  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

Assignment: 

  • Safety Contract

WEEK 4

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document:  Video Assignment and Response Requirements 
  • Watch: Safety, Ethics, and the Elephant in the Room

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)
  • Discussion on Safety

WEEK 5

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document:  Video Assignment and Response Requirements
  • Document:  Learning Contract

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

Assignments:

  • Schedule Practicum Visit Appointment
  • Learning Contract

Reminders:

Please remember, you will be completing the following items in the upcoming modules:

  • Process Recording – Due Week 12

You are encouraged to continue working on these to prepare for timely submission.

WEEK 6

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements  

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

Assignment:

  • None

WEEK 7

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

Assignments:

  • None

WEEK 8 

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

WEEK 9

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

WEEK 10

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

WEEK 11

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

WEEK 12

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements
  • Document: Process Recordings Handout
  • Document: Process Recording Documents: Individuals, Groups, and Community/Organizational

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

Assignments:

  • Process Recordings Submission

WEEK 13

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

WEEK 14 

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

WEEK 15

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)

Assignments:

  • Practicum Evaluation and Time Sheet Submission

WEEK 16

Readings & Multimedia:

  • Document: Video Assignment and Response Requirements

Discussions:

  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday)
  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday)
    • Everyone completes the video assignment and responds for the final week of the course – reminder: delete all the videos on the final day of class.

Please complete the Course Evaluation

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page

UNE Libraries:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Policies

Late Policy

Late assignments may only earn up to a maximum of half credit (from the total points).

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion week, the initial post may earn up to a maximum of half credit of the total points (no points given for timeliness, however points may be earned related to content of post). Any initial posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will receive a “0”.

Response posts: Any response posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will receive a ‘0″.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Essential Academic and Technical Standards

Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Confidentiality Statement

Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.