SW 721 - Field Seminar 1

Credits 1.5
Field education is the signature pedagogy for social work and includes elements of instruction and socialization that teach students the fundamental dimensions of professional work in their discipline—to think, to perform, and to act intentionally, ethically, and with integrity. Integrated Field Seminar 1, taken concurrently with the Intro to Generalist Social Work and Human Behavior courses, is designed to integrate the theoretical and conceptual contributions learned in those courses in the field setting. It is systematically designed, supervised by an MSW social worker, coordinated, and evaluated based on criteria and measures of student acquisition and demonstration of the work competencies targeted by the Intro to Generalist Social Work and Human Behavior courses.

To meet the required 900 hours of graduate internship experience, students should complete 112.5 hours of field work in this field seminar. Internship tasks may consist of managing client caseloads, clinical assessments and treatment planning, administrative leadership, etc. Weekly seminars focus on the integration of social work theory and practice in conjunction with the student's field instruction. Professional competency is deepened by means of videos and lecture/discussions in how to present and conduct oneself in an agency; organize and manage one's work; deal with one's feelings and stress; and refine one's career goals. Weekly journals and learning agreements are some components of the course.