SOWK 489: Social Work Field Education
Corequisite: SOWK 490
Credit Hours: (12) One semester: 38 hours per week
This semester class is a practicum experience of 400 hours, accompanied by weekly
class meetings, designed to integrate the academic curriculum with the practicum experience.
Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
SOWK 489 is the professional internship. Students work 35 hours a week for 14 weeks in a community agency under the supervision of a social work professional. In addition to the 35 hours, students will meet one afternoon a week for their field seminar (SOWK 490). Students will also attend an all day training prior to beginning their internship.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
SOWK 489 affords students an opportunity to integrate classroom concepts and theories into practice. Students learn about people, social problems, service delivery systems, about helping and about self as a helper.
Goals and objectives of the Course
The objectives of this course are to provide students with the opportunities to:
1.Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior;
2.Engage diversity and difference in practice;
3.Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice;
4.Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice;
5.Engage in policy practice;
6.Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities;
7.Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities;
8.Intervene with individuals, family, groups, organizations, and communities; and
9.Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Competency Expectations:
A student who successfully completes this course will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the differential using of professional roles,
models and methods in working with client systems.
2. Accept and use appropriately a problem‑solving process in responding to the
needs of client systems.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in using a single system research design in working
with a case situation.
4. Demonstrate ability to collaborate and share social work knowledge and skill with
other members of a professional team as work groups in implementing plans of action.
5. Have realistic expectations of self and others in task performance.
6. Can accept multicultural diversity and problem‑solve with micro and macro
client systems using the strengths and resources of the ethnic/racial, socioeconomic,
religious group.
7. Can use written and verbal communication effectively in responding to the service
delivery needs.
8. Can use agency staff supervision as a means for professional growth and development.
Assessment Measures
Grading Policy:
The grade is Pass/Fail. The grade is based on the successful completion of the
learning contract. The Agency Field Instructor and the University Faculty
Liaison evaluate student progress at midterm and at the end of the semester.
Attendance Policy:
Each student is expected to be in the agency to be in the agency every day.
Students must notify the Field Instructors in advance, if possible, if they are
unable to be in the agency for any reason.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
Revised, April 23, 2013
March 2005 Updated Steven Culver
March 01, 2021