Field Education Manual 2009-2010   Field Manual Forms Field Education Learning Contract Consent to Make an Audio and/or Video Recording Process Recording Form Mid-Term Practicum Evaluation End-Term Practicum Evaluation Agency Supervisor Placement Evaluation End Term Student Placement Evaluation End Term Faculty Field Instructor Placement Evaluation End Term

Pearl Pakula, 2008 BSW Grad

 

The BSW program at UNBC is generalist in its focus and has an emphasis on practice in northern and remote areas, with First Nations people, women, and in community practice and research. These areas combined with an analysis of class, gender and race relations are emphasized throughout Social Work courses, and in the seminar component of Field Education.

 

Social Work Field Education (SOCW 302 and SOCW 402) offers students an opportunity to develop their social work practice skills within an agency or community setting. A variety of placements are available and whenever possible the students' interests and learning needs will be matched with a suitable placement opportunity. The placement experience involves the student, faculty field instructor and agency supervisor in a partnership which is intended to facilitate the student's learning.

 

The intent of Field Education is to:

• Assist students develop practice skills
• Facilitate students familiarize with practice environments
• Encourage students in critical thinking about service delivery and practice issues
• Provide an opportunity for students to link social work concepts, values and theory with practice

In order for students to think reflectively about their practice experience, it is essential that they have sufficient time. Therefore, while students will perform actual social work within organizations and agencies, students will not be expected to carry a full work load.

 

Field Education in third year (SOCW 302) requires students to work in a practice setting three days per week through one semester. In fourth year (SOCW 402), students are required to work in a practice setting five days per week through one semester.

 

Students who are in field education placements must also attend classroom seminars conducted by a faculty field instructor. These seminars are compulsory and attendance is mandatory. Field education students also complete a series of assignments that are marked by a faculty field instructor. The final decision regarding a student's standing in the course will lie with the faculty field instructor. 

 

The Social Work Field Education courses are graded on a pass/fail basis. It is because field education is a major part of the core curriculum that a pass/fail (P/F) grading system is utilized. The pass/fail grading system encourages students to enrich their field experience and encourages exploration of a greater range of skill acquisition premised on self motivation and professional growth and development, without the pressures and demands of the regular grading system. Through the involvement of experienced and dedicated human service practitioners in the professional community, students are provided with opportunities to develop and acquire social work knowledge, skills and values in a supervised practice setting. Although, there is ongoing monitoring of these placements, it is assumed that the motivation to increase one's professional abilities and to challenge one-self as professionals will provide the greatest incentive for growth and learning.