Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 581 Simulation – Practicum & Integrating Seminar III – Fall 2024
Credits - 3
Description
Integrating Seminar & Practicum III & IV is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised advanced social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organization setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level integrated clinical social work skills. The integrating seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication, critical thinking and case formulation as well as to discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply and discuss advanced practice theories and concepts learned in the classroom into the 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 in an integrated clinical social work setting. SSWO 583 provides a venue for students to deepen, broaden and further ground their experience of specialized social work practice and prepare to transition to professional social worker. 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
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
School of Social Work Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
- Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior (EPAS 1)
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice (EPAS 2)
- Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice Competency (EPAS 3)
- Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice Competency (EPAS 4)
- Engage in Policy Practice (EPAS 5)
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,and Communities (EPAS 6)
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities (EPAS 7)
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities (EPAS 8)
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities (EPAS 9)
Assignments
In order to pass your practicum, you must complete all activities in this course and score at least 800 out of 1000 points.
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 week include the following:
Simulation
Each week you will be asked to join your classmates for a client simulation experience. This experience will require you to participate in a live zoom session each week at a designated time. During these sessions you will engage with a ‘client’ to work through a simulated clinical experience. This experience will challenge you to utilize skills such as: completing biopsychosocial assessments, writing progress notes, writing treatment plans, engaging in collateral contacts with the clients’ supports/family/service providers, engage in treatment modalities and finally work through the termination process. While engaged in this experience, you will further be challenged to incorporate research to guide your treatment and explore policy implications, social justice as well as ethical practice.
Each week’s client session will provide you with a guided opportunity to engage with a client and work collaboratively with your classmates to develop clinical skills, explore modalities, compare/contrast strategies and reflect on the experience. After each week’s live session you will be tasked with written assignments (similar to if you were working with a client in the office), areas of research to explore, discussion topics to engage in and/or viewing of additional videos to provide additional information.
Ethics Presentation
This assignment will provide you with an opportunity to explore a particular aspect of the NASW Code of Ethics or IFSW Code of Ethics that you want to learn more about and how it relates to your practicum or population with whom you are or have worked. This project will be broken into 3 graded assignments: the Ethics Presentation Outline Form, an Annotated Bibliography, and an Ethics Presentation consisting of a 20-30 minute recorded slideshow presentation discussing your Standard and how it relates to your practicum or the population with whom you are or have worked. You will also be expected to engage your peers in discussing these presentations.
Readings and Multimedia
There are required readings and recommended texts in this course. Your instructor may integrate and suggest additional readings throughout the course weeks. Additional readings in the course weeks will be introduced as forms and supporting documents are needed for assignment completion. There are a few videos presented as learning material, but the majority of videos in this course are created by students each week.
Discussions
Every other week, you will engage in Video Assignments. You will respond to your peers’ practicum experiences each week. You will also post one self-care tip that you are employing and discuss amongst your classmates. You will also post a weekly reflection on your client session experience and respond to at least 2 of your peers. There are several optional discussion boards in this course that you may utilize to ask questions about a specific assignment. As part of your Video Assignment video, you will have the opportunity to discuss the mandated reporting requirements in your state.
Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments
There are several assignments in this course, which are all tailored to strengthening your simulated practicum experience. These assignments will be collaborative with your practicum instructor 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 Mail or email will not be accepted. They must be submitted through the Brightspace assignment link.
Grading and Feedback Method
Feedback will be provided within the grade comments.
Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course Schedule. 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 800 of 1000 points to pass the seminar/placement course.
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
| Assignment | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement | .01 points |
| Video Confidentiality (Week 1) | 1 point |
| Statement of Understanding (Week 1) | 1 point |
| Learning Contract Submission (Week 1) | 10 points |
| Group Development & Scheduling of 'Client Sessions' (Week 1) | 5 points |
| Social Work Technology Standards and Telehealth (Week 1) | 10 points |
| Introduce Yourself Discussion (Week 1) | 6 points |
| Peer-Reviewed Research Article Discussion (Week 1) | 15 points |
| Biweekly Video Posts | 80 points (10 points x 8 weeks) |
| Weekly Video Responses | 90 points (6 points X 15 weeks) |
| Weekly Self-Care Discussion | 80 points (5 points X 16 weeks) |
| Social Justice Discussion (Week 2) | 10 points |
| Discussion on Safety (Week 5) | 10 points |
| Weekly Progress Notes (Weeks 1 - 14) | 140 points (10 x 14 weeks) |
| Weekly Client Session Reflections (Weeks 2 - 15) | 140 points (10 x 14 weeks) |
| Client Session Recordings (Weeks 3 - 15) | 130 points (10 points X 13 weeks) |
| Biopsychosocial Assessment (Week 2 Draft and Week 3 Final) | 30 points (15 points x 2 weeks) |
| Treatment Plan (Week 4 Draft and Week 5 Final) | 20 points (10 points x 2 weeks) |
| Professional Development Journal (Week 4, 8 and 12) | 15 points (5 points x 3 weeks) |
| Ethics Presentation Outline (Week 6) | 15 points |
| Annotated Bibliography (Week 7) | 20 points |
| Practicum Time Sheet (Week 8) | 10 points |
| Ethics Presentation (Week 9) | 40 points |
| Treatment Plan Review (Week 10) | 20 points |
| Ethics Presentation Responses (Weeks 10-14) | 40 points |
| Mid-Term Check In and Evaluation Scheduling (Week 7 and 13) | 10 points |
| Submit Evaluation and Practicum Time Sheet (Week 15) | 12 points |
| Discharge Note (Week 15 Draft and Week 16 Final) | 20 points (10 points x 2 weeks) |
| Policy Integration Discussion (Week 16) | 10 points |
| Reflections and Looking Ahead (Week 16) | 10 points |
| Total | 1000 points |
Schedule
Course Dates
Week 1: Sep 2 – Sep 8
Week 2: Sep 9 – Sep 15
Week 3: Sep 16 – Sep 22
Week 4: Sep 23 – Sep 29
Week 5: Sep 30 – Oct 6
Week 6: Oct 7 – Oct 13
Week 7: Oct 14 – Oct 20
Week 8: Oct 21 – Oct 27
Week 9: Oct 28 – Nov 3
Week 10: Nov 4 – Nov 10
Week 11: Nov 11 – Nov 17
Week 12: Nov 18 – Nov 24
Week 13: Nov 25 – Dec 1
Week 14: Dec 2 – Dec 8
Week 15: Dec 9 – Dec 15
Week 16: Dec 16 – Dec 22
All discussions and assignments are due by 11:59 PM ET on the day specified in Brightspace.
Week 1: Orienting to the Practicum
Readings
- National Association of Social Workers. (2015). The Code of Ethics.
- National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice.
- Student Guide for Role Plays
Client Simulation
- Client Intake Form
- PHQ-9
- GAD-7 Scale
- Simulated Client Intake Session
Videos
- Preparation for and Providing Telehealth Services
- Intro to Self-Care
Discussions
- Introduce Yourself
- Self-Care
- Peer-Reviewed Research Article
Assignments
- Practicum Video Confidentiality Statement
- Statement of Understanding Submission
- Learning Contract Submission
- Group Development & Scheduling of ‘Client Sessions’
- Technology and Telehealth
- Progress Note
Week 2: Beginnings with Clients
Readings
- Ethics Presentation Description and Instructions
- Bartlett, A., Faber, S., Williams, M., & Saxberg, K. (2022). Getting to the Root of the Problem: Supporting Clients With Lived-Experiences of Systemic Discrimination. Chronic stress (Thousand Oaks).
- Adam, C. (2023). Integrating Social Justice into Therapy Practice: Seeds and for Reflection. The University of British Columbia, School of Social Work.
- Banks-VanAllen, C. (2023). Conceptualizing diagnosis through a social justice lens. www.counseling.org.
- Self-Care Assessment
- Weekly Video Assignment Criteria and Expectations
Videos
- Client Intake Session
Discussions
- Client Session Reflection
- Social Justice in Clinical Social Work Practice Reflection
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
Assignments
- Progress Note
- Prepare for Client Session Recording and Biopsychosocial Assessment Draft
Week 3: Biopsychosocial Assessment
Video
- Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
Discussions
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Self-Care
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
- Biopsychosocial Assessment
Week 4: Treatment Planning
Readings
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, SMART Goals Template
Client Simulation
- Simulated Goal Planning Session – Callie Smith
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
- Draft Treatment Plan
- Professional Development Journal
Week 5: Goal Setting
Client Simulation
- Callie Smith’s Therapy Journal – Entry 1
- Simulated Goal Planning Session – Callie Smith
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Safety
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
- Final Treatment Plan
Week 6: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Client Simulation
- Simulated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Session – Callie Smith
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Ethics Presentation Responses
Assignments
- Ethics Presentation Outline
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
Week 7: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Continued
Readings
- Annotated Bibliography Assignment Description
Client Simulation
- Callie Smith’s Therapy Journal – Entry 2
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
Assignments
- Schedule Mid-Term Check-in with Practicum Instructor
- Annotated Bibliography
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
Week 8: Narrative Therapy
Client Simulation
- Simulated Narrative Therapy Session – Callie Smith
Video
- Narrative Theory: An Introduction
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Ethics Presentation Responses
Assignments
- Practicum Time Sheet
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
- Professional Development Journal
Week 9: Narrative Therapy Continued
Readings
- Ethics Presentation Description and Instructions
Client Simulation
- Callie Smith’s Therapy Journal – Entry 3
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
Assignments
- Ethics Presentation
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
Week 10: Treatment Plan Review and Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Client Simulation
- GAD-7
- PHQ-9
- GAD 7 Quick Guide
- PHQ-9 Quick Guide
- Ackerman, C.E. (2020, April 29). What is solution focused therapy: 3 essential techniques.
- Simulated Solution Focused Brief Therapy Session – Callie Smith
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Ethics Presentation Responses
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Treatment Plan Review
- Progress Note
Week 11: Solution Focused Brief Therapy Continued
Client Simulation
- Callie Smith’s Therapy Journal – Entry 4
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Ethics Presentation Responses
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
Week 12: Motivational Interviewing
Client Simulation
- Simulated Motivational Interviewing Session – Callie Smith
Video
- Miller, W. R. (2013). The evolution of psychotherapy. motivational interviewing and the language of change. Milton H. Erickson Foundation.
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Ethics Presentation Responses
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
- Professional Development Journal
Week 13: Motivational Interviewing Continued
Client Simulation
- Callie Smith’s Therapy Journal – Entry 5
Videos
- CalPsychiatry. (2023, August 2). Therapy through a social justice lens | Farah Zerehi, LMFT [Video]. YouTube.
- Rich Russo. (2018, September 14). Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw defines intersectionality [Video]. YouTube.
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Ethics Presentation Responses
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
- Schedule Final Evaluation with Practicum Instructor
Week 14: Practicing Treatment Modalities
Client Simulation
- Callie Smith’s Therapy Journal – Entry 6
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
- Ethics Presentation Responses
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Progress Note
Week 15: Endings with Termination
Readings
- National Association of Social Workers. (2015). The Code of Ethics.
- Tasks for Endings Handout
- Felton, E.M. & Polowy, C.I.. (2019, January 22). Termination: Ending the Therapeutic Relationship-Avoiding Abandonment. NASW California Chapter.
- Baum, N. (2007). Therapists’ Responses to Treatment Termination: An Inquiry into the Variables that Contribute to Therapists’ Experiences. Clinical Social Work Journal. 35 (2), 97–106.
- Dypiangco, A. (n.d.). Discharge (Termination) Notes: Ensuring a Smooth Transition for Clients. Mentalyc.
Client Simulation
- Email from Callie Smith
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Client Session Reflection
Assignments
- Client Session Recording
- Discharge Note
- Evaluation and Practicum Time Sheet
Week 16: Endings with Termination Continued
Readings
- Powell, T.J., Farrow, E., Woodford, M.R., & Perron, B. (2013). Policymaking Opportunities for Direct Practice Social Workers in Mental Health and Addiction Services. Advances in Social Work. 14 (2), 367-378.
Video
- UNE MSW Online. (2020, June 29). Supervision and field instruction – Valerie Jones [Video]. YouTube.
Discussions
- Self-Care
- Weekly Video and Response
- Policy Integration
Assignments
- Discharge Note Final
- Reflections and Looking Ahead
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:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
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.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Pass/Fail:
This practicum seminar course is a Pass/Fail course. All required assignments must be submitted in order to pass the course. You must earn 80 of 100 points in the seminar course and you must demonstrate at least an average rating of 3’s on the practicum evaluation in order to pass this seminar/practicum.
MSW Practicum Education Manual:
Students are expected to know the policies and procedures outlined in the Online Practicum Education Manual: Policies and Procedures and Online Practicum Education Manual: Forms, provided to students online by their Practicum Advisor.
Practicum Practicum Attendance:
Students are expected to be in attendance in the agency on days designated for the Practicum in the Learning Contract and to observe agency hours and schedules. Absences must be promptly reported to the Practicum Instructor and must be made up to meet the required number of hours in practicum. Students are required to notify their Practicum Advisor weekly if they have not completed their regularly scheduled internship hours.
Practicum Hours Requirement:
The Practicum placement requires a total of 500 hours completed in the practice setting for the Block Placement semester Students.
Students may consider the following additional opportunities to augment their practicum hours with the approval of their Practicum Instructor and Practicum Advisor:
Practicum Instructors have the option of assigning a minimal amount of reading to Students (no more than 10 hours per semester).
Students may attend workshops that are relevant to their placement focus with the permission of their Practicum Instructor.
Students are required to notify their Practicum Advisor weekly if they have not completed their regularly scheduled internship hours.
Students are expected to intern 35-40 hours per week. Students are required to keep a weekly log of all practicum hours and attach their field hour’s sheet to the end of the semester Practicum Evaluation.
There are a total of 16 weeks of practicum work in the Practicum Placement semester.
Practicum Instructor Requirement:
The Practicum Instructor is an MSW level social worker in the agency (or off-site) who provides individual field instruction to the Student, weekly for 1 hour per week.
Students who have the opportunity to receive group instruction facilitated by an MSW may limit their individual practicum instruction to 1-hour individual and 1-hour group per week. The School recommends, if possible, keeping the 1 hour of individual practicum instruction and adding the 1-hour group instruction.
Students are required to develop a backup plan for practicum instruction in the event of the Practicum Instructor’s absence. The backup plan must include an MSW to provide practicum seminar instruction. This plan must be detailed in the Learning Contract.
Late Policy
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.