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SWK 425: Field Placement in Social Work

Instructor: Ebony N. Perez, MSW

Phone: 352-247-7374
Email: ebony.perez@saintleo.edu
Hours: Please email professor to set up individual meetings

Prequisites: Senior Standing in Social Work, completion of all Social Work

courses.
Corequisite: SWK 426

This course is Pass/Fail 12 credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a supervised field placement giving students an opportunity to work in local
agencies with individuals, families, groups and communities for a minimum of 400
clock hours, approximately 32 hours per week for the semester. The field instructor
must meet the qualifications established by the Council on Social Work Education
and must have participated in the Programs field instructor training. The field
experience occurs concurrently with SWK 426: Senior Seminar in Social Work. For
the rare student who completes the field placement requirement over a two or three
semester period, the senior seminar (SWK 426) is taken during the students final
semester of SWK 425. The course objectives are the same for both SWK 425 and
SWK 426.

The need for an opportunity to integrate the various strands of learning drawn from
both the liberal arts and social work course work is supported both by the
Universitys general education requirements for a capstone course and by the
Social Work Programs desire for the students development of a model of beginning
level generalist practice.

It is recognized that the process of integration is not and cannot be confined to a

single course; rather it belongs to the whole range of the students educational
experience. Integration is perceived as a lifelong process.

This field experience is designed to enable students to engage effectively and

purposefully in the process of combining many elements of their educational
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experience at Saint Leo University into a basis of personal and professional
competence.

SAINT LEO CORE VALUES

For this course, the Saint Leo University core values of Community and Respect are
most applicable.

Community Saint Leo University develops hospitable Christian learning

communities everywhere we serve. We foster a spirit of belonging, unity, and
interdependence based on mutual trust and respect to create socially responsible
environments that challenge all of us to listen, to learn, to change, and to serve.

RespectAnimated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals unique

talents, respect their dignity, and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in
our work. Our communitys strength depends on the unity and diversity

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course objectives are based on the 2015 Council on Social Work Education
(CSWE) Competencies and corresponding practice behaviors.

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior.

Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its ethical
standards, as well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the
micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Social workers understand frameworks of ethical
decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks
in practice, research, and policy arenas. Social workers recognize personal values
and the distinction between personal and professional values. They also understand
how their personal experiences and affective reactions influence their professional
judgment and behavior. Social workers understand the professions history, its
mission, and the roles and responsibilities of the profession. Social Workers also
understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-professional teams.
Social workers recognize the importance of life-long learning and are committed to
continually updating their skills to ensure they are relevant and effective. Social
workers also understand emerging forms of technology and the ethical use of
technology in social work practice. Social workers:

1. make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics,
relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical
conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context;
2. use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain
professionalism in practice situations;
3. demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and oral,
written, and electronic communication;
4. use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes;
and
5. use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and
behavior.
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Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice. Social
workers understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human
experience and are critical to the formation of identity. The dimensions of diversity
are understood as the intersectionality of multiple factors including but not limited
to age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity
and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race,
religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social
workers understand that, as a consequence of difference, a persons life
experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as
well as privilege, power, and acclaim. Social workers also understand the forms and
mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and recognize the extent to which a
cultures structures and values, including social, economic, political, and cultural
exclusions, may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create privilege and power.
Social workers:

6. apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and

difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and
macro levels;
7. present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as
experts of their experiences; and
8. apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal
biases and values in working diverse clients and constituencies.

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and

Environmental Justice. Social workers understand that every person regardless
of position in society has fundamental human rights such as freedom, safety,
privacy, an adequate standard of living, health care, and education. Social workers
understand the global interconnections of oppression and human rights violations,
and are knowledgeable about theories of human need and social justice and
strategies to promote social and economic justice and human rights. Social workers
understand strategies designed to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure
that social goods, rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably and that civil,
political, environmental, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected.
Social workers:

9. apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to

advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels; and
10.engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice

Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-

informed Practice. Social workers understand quantitative and qualitative
research methods and their respective roles in advancing a science of social work
and in evaluating their practice. Social workers know the principles of logic,
scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building
knowledge. Social workers understand that evidence that informs practice derives
from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing. They also understand
the processes for translating research findings into effective practice. Social
workers:
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11.use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research;
12.apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative
research methods and research findings; and
13.use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy,
and service delivery

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice. Social workers understand that

human rights and social justice, as well as social welfare and services, are mediated
by policy and its implementation at the federal, state, and local levels. Social
workers understand the history and current structures of social policies and
services, the role of policy in service delivery, and the role of practice in policy
development. Social workers understand their role in policy development and
implementation within their practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
and they actively engage in policy practice to effect change within those settings.
Social workers recognize and understand the historical, social, cultural, economic,
organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. They
are also knowledgeable about policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and
evaluation. Social workers:

14.identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-
being, service

delivery, and access to social services;

15.assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and
access to
social services;
16.apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that
advance
human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,

and Communities. Social workers understand that engagement is an ongoing
component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and
on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Social workers value the importance of human relationships. Social workers
understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically
evaluate and apply this knowledge to facilitate engagement with clients and
constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and
communities. Social workers understand strategies to engage diverse clients and
constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers understand how
their personal experiences and affective reactions may impact their ability to
effectively engage with diverse clients and constituencies. Social workers value
principles of relationship-building and inter-professional collaboration to facilitate
engagement with clients, constituencies, and other professionals as appropriate.
Social workers
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17.apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage
with clients and constituencies; and
18.use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse
clients and constituencies.

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and

Communities
Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the
dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of,
diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers
understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically
evaluate and apply this knowledge in the assessment of diverse clients and
constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and
communities. Social workers understand methods of assessment with diverse
clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers
recognize the implications of the larger practice context in the assessment process
and value the importance of inter-professional collaboration in this process. Social
workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may
affect their assessment and decision-making. Social workers:

19.collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information
from clients and constituencies;
20.apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the
analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies;
21.develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the
critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and
constituencies; and
22.select appropriate intervention strategies based on this assessment, research
knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups,

Organizations, and Communities. Social workers understand that intervention
is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work
practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations,
and communities. Social workers are knowledgeable about evidence-informed
interventions to achieve the goals of clients and constituencies, including
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers
understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically
evaluate and apply this knowledge to effectively intervene with clients and
constituencies. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing and
implementing evidence-informed interventions to achieve client and constituency
goals. Social workers value the importance of inter-professional teamwork and
communication in interventions, recognizing that beneficial outcomes may require
interdisciplinary, inter-professional, and inter-organizational collaboration. Social
workers:
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23.critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and
enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;
24.apply knowledge of human behavior and social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in
interventions with clients and constituencies;
25.use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial
practice outcomes;
26.negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and
constituencies; and
27.facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on
goals.

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,

Organizations, and Communities. Social workers understand that evaluation
is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work
practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations
and communities. Social workers recognize the importance of evaluating processes
and outcomes to advance practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness. Social
workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and
critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in evaluating outcomes. Social workers
understand qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating outcomes and
practice effectiveness. Social workers:

28.select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;

29.apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the
evaluation of outcomes;
30.critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes
and outcomes; and
31.apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro,
mezzo, and macro levels.

When students have completed the above competencies, they will have
successfully demonstrated ability to use the problem-solving method in
gathering data, assessing the problem situation, developing an
appropriate intervention, evaluating the outcome and completing client
termination and follow-up.

REQUIRED TEXT AND READINGS

Required Texts:
Saint Leo University BSW Fieldwork Instruction Manual

POLICIES
Institutional Policies
1. Americans with Disabilities Act: Students with disabilities who may need
academic accommodation(s), should contact the Disability Office email:
adaoffice@saintleo.edu or call (352) 588-8464. For more information, please
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review the Policy and Procedure Manual on the Disability Services web page
at http://www.saintleo.edu/SaintLeo/Templates/Inner.aspx?pid=391 .

2. Academic Honor Code: As members of an academic community that places a

high value on truth and the pursuit of knowledge, Saint Leo University
students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life and
to present as their own work only that which is genuinely theirs. Unless
otherwise specified by the professor, students must complete homework
assignments by themselves (or if on a team assignment, with only their team
members). If they receive outside assistance of any kind, they are expected
to cite the source and indicate the extent of the assistance. Each student has
the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and
to refrain from cheating, plagiarism or any other form of academic
dishonesty. For a complete description, see the Student Academic Catalog.

Program Policies
3. Assignment Policy: Promptness in completing assigned tasks and readings is
a requirement of this course. Assignments turned in late will RESULT IN A
LOWERED GRADE.

4. All written assignments will be graded on the basis of content, clarity,

punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, proofreading, APA style and
overall quality of work.

5. Make-up Policy: THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS. PLEASE

DO NOT ASK

6. It is expected that social work students maintain a minimum cumulative

grade point average of 2.00, as well as 2.00 GPA in the social work major
prior to entering the senior field placement.

Course Policies
7. Students are expected to be completely familiar with the contents of the BSW
Field Placement Manual. This manual outlines the fieldwork process from
beginning to end. It includes the mutual responsibilities of the student, the
agency, and the University; guidelines for negotiating and developing a
learning contract; guidelines for case assignments; guidelines for the on-
going supervisory conferences; and the required performance evaluations.

8. Student responsibilities are outlined in the BSW Field Placement Manual. The
student in this full-time block field placement works a minimum of thirty-two
hours per week for a minimum of thirteen weeks.

10. The student is evaluated on a pass/fail basis following the submission of all
performance evaluations:
The Field Instructors Mid-Term and Final Evaluation of the Student.
The Students Evaluation of the Fieldwork Placement.
The Students self-assessment on the competencies and practice
behaviors.
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The Field Instructors assessment of student on competencies and
practice behaviors.

11. The faculty field liaison is responsible for assigning the final grade. Grades
are assigned on a pass/fail basis. The grade of pass will be earned only
after receiving satisfactory evaluations from the field instructor.

COURSE SCHEDULE
There is no course schedule for this class. Students are in their final field placement
and adhere to
agency policies concerning attendance. However, as stated above, student must
complete a minimum
of 400 clock hours as part of the requirements to pass this course.

LIBRARY RESOURCES
Cannon Memorial Library
On-site Resources
Cannon Memorial Library
The library provides an 800 number and an email address for general reference
services: 1-800-359-5945 or reference.desk@saintleo.edu.

Reference Hours
Monday Thursday 8am-10pm
Friday 8am-6pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-6pm

Online Catalog, LeoCat (All books & media)

Click on University Campus Library Resources on the Cannon Memorial Library
website ( http://www.saintleo.edu/SaintLeo/Templates/Inner.aspx?
pid=7662&mode=remove ) and choose LeoCat. Simple search choices are: title,
author, keyword, subject, or journal title. Use advanced searching to set limits or
expand your search choices. To borrow books from Cannon Memorial and have
them shipped to you, use the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery link,
complete the online request form, and submit it. When you are done with the
books, return them by United States mail.
Saint Leo Library Online Resources
http://www.saintleo.edu/SaintLeo/Templates/Inner.aspx?pid=7662&mode=remove
Saint Leo provides its own array of online databases and resources supporting
online courses as well as Continuing Education classes. The following databases
are available to Saint Leo students and faculty. Use the Online Library Resources
link on the Library webpage and select Databases. Youll be taken to the ID
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Validation screen (if youre not already in the portal) where you enter your email
address and email password to gain access. Once youre logged in you can go back
and reselect any of our databases without ever having to log in again.

Access Science (Science database, includes McGraw-Hill

Enyclopedia of
Science and Technology)
EBSCO (Comprehensive all-subject database, includes
Business
Source Premier, ERIC, PsycINFO, ATLA)
*LexisNexis (Comprehensive all-subject resource, includes
newspapers)
Literature Resource Center (Comprehensive source for literary topics, includes
Twayne
Authors)
Newsbank (625 U.S. newspapers)
ProQuest (Comprehensive all-subject database, includes
ABI/Inform
Global)
PsycINFO (APA abstracts and indexing for psychology
subjects (in
EBSCO))
Westlaw (Comprehensive legal resource)
Wilson (Includes Education, Science, Humanities, &
Business indexes)

*LexisNexis: This all-subject database can only be accessed on the main Florida
campus, but a reference librarian at Cannon Library will be glad to assist you. Call
the toll-free number for the Reference Desk on the university campus, 800-359-
5945, or send your research request or question by email using one of the Ask a
Librarian links on the Cannon Memorial Library webpage.

Local Area Library Resources

Almost all public library systems offer free borrowing privileges to local community
members, as well as free access to their online databases, including access from
your home. The key is obtaining a library card. Check with your local library to find
out how to get a borrowers card. For a list of libraries in your area, please click on
the Centers, Center for Online Learning, Distance Learning Services link on the
library webpage and choose Libraries Near Your Center.
Additionally, through reciprocal agreements, Saint Leo students have borrowing
privileges at several other Florida university libraries. Be sure to bring a current
Saint Leo student ID card and proof of current enrollment with you, if you want to
use one of these libraries.

Library Card Reimbursement

Saint Leo will reimburse off-campus Distance Learning student for one library card
at a local area university. Students need to save the original receipt and submit a
Library Card Reimbursement form to the Center where enrolled for approval. To
download the form, click on the Centers, Center for Online Learning, Distance
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Learning Services link on the library webpage and choose Libraries Near Your
Center.

Library Tutorial
All new off-campus School of Continuing Education students are required to pass the
library tutorial exam. Students should review the instructional materials and
practice quizzes by clicking on any of the Library Tutorial links on the library
website. The same material is found on the School of Continuing Educations
Orientation CD. After reviewing all the material, click on the Final Exam link, which
will take you to the tutorial test in eLION at http://elion.saintleo.edu.