SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

School of Social Work

SWK 435- SWK 445: Field Practicum I and II

Course Syllabus
Course Title: Field Practicum I and II
Course Number: SWK 435- SWK 445
Semester: Fall
Credits: Five (5)
Instructor: Direct instruction is offered by an agency-based field instructor mutually agreed upon by the
field office, agency and student
Hours: Appointments available upon request.
Co-Requisites: SWK 401-402, SWK436-446

Catalogue Description:
Field practice experience in selected social service agency setting to apply and integrate skill, cognitive and
affective learning within a formalized service system.

Course Overview:
Provided in collaboration with human/social service agencies forming an integral part of the preparation
of students for professional practice in social work.

The foundation level internship emphasizes generalist social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro
levels.

Generalist practice is grounded in the liberal arts and the person in environment construct. To promote
human and social well-being, generalist practitioners use a large range of prevention and intervention
methods in their practice with individual, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The
generalist practitioner identifies with the social work profession and applies ethical principles and critical
thinking in practice. Generalist practitioners incorporate diversity in their practice and advocate for
human rights and social and economic justice. They recognize, support, and build on the strengths and
resiliency of all human beings. They engage in research-informed practice and are proactive in
responding to the impact of context on professional practice.

Field assignments must provide opportunities for students to apply and gain a greater understanding of the
relationship between theory and practice. Field experience should enhance a students ability to complete
related course assignments. Site specific opportunities /activities will vary for each student.

Course Overview:
The field practicum is provided in collaboration with human/social service agencies forming an integral part of
the preparation of students for professional practice in social work. The baccalaureate field experience
emphasizes generalist social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. The learning experiences
should be as broad as possible.

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The student and field instructor will cooperatively develop a professional development plan (PDP) using a
provided instrument. The PDP details the opportunities/activities that will permit the student to demonstrate the
knowledge, values and skills that supports the attainment of the program competencies.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

A student who successfully completes this course will demonstrate the following competencies:

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, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Required Readings:
BSSW Field Manual. (2015-16). School of Social Work: Syracuse University.
NASW Code of Ethics
Professional Development Plan Resource Guide
Other readings as assigned, available on Blackboard

Course Requirements:
The field internship is a critical component for the BSSW program and the preparation of practicing social
workers. Course requirements include:

All students are required to complete 500 hours for the academic year. Most students will complete a
minimum of 16 hours per week, totaling 250 hours per fall and spring semester. The exception to this
are part-time students who have made prior arrangements with the field office and the agency.
Completion and submission of the Professional Development Plan (PDP) to their field liaison and
agency-based field instructor. Refer to the PDP resource guide for detailed information.
The completed PDP is e-mailed to the field liaison and agency-based field instructor at designated due
dates throughout the semester.
Student is expected to submit bi-weekly time logs to their field liaison Students are expected to maintain
documentation of their supervisory sessions.

Internship Attendance and Participation Policy

Attendance and participation in field is monitored by the agency-based field instructor. There is no partial credit
given for failure to complete required hours. A student who does not meet this requirement has the option of
requesting a grade of Incomplete for this course and develop a subsequent plan for completion. You may
reference this process as described in the BSSW Student Handbook.

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Course Schedule
Internships follow the academic calendar, starting the first week of classes. Students are not allowed to
end their internship earlier than the last week of classes and have until the grade submission due date to
complete the required field hours.
Internship schedules are determined by the student and the agency-based field instructor and documented
in the Professional Development Plan.
Any changes in internship schedule must be approved by the agency-based field instructor
Students placed in public school settings must comply with the school districts academic schedule and
should be prepared for the likelihood of snow days.
Students must make a plan with their agency-based field instructor in advance for adequate coverage of
client responsibilities during breaks in the academic year. This may require that a student continue to
attend their internship when SU classes are not in session.
Students are expected to demonstrate professional responsibility with regard to their internship
commitment and plan accordingly for time off, as well as having a process for calling in for sick days or
other circumstances that prohibit the student from attend their internship.

Professional Comportment includes but is not limited to the following:

Prompt arrival and consistent attendance for the internship and seminar components.
Receptivity to new information and differing perspectives.
Active participation in group discussions and activities.
Quality of written work should reflect appropriate graduate scholarship.
Timely completion of internship tasks and assignments outlined in the syllabus.
Ability to accept and integrate feedback and attempt change.
Provide respectful, supportive and constructive peer feedback.
Cell phones should be turned off during seminar class. Cell use and texting is disrespectful to all
members of the class and will not be tolerated. This includes leaving the class to make phone calls. If a
student is experiencing life circumstances that warrant an exception to this expectation, the course
instructor should be notified.
Students are expected to maintain the confidentiality of their fellow classmates, clients and agencies with
regard to what is shared in the classroom.
See social media below (University Policies).

Course Evaluation Procedures

SWK 435- SWK 445: Field Practicum I and II is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
Verbal feedback is provided to the student from the agency-based field instructor and from the field
liaison throughout the semester.
The agency-based field instructor and the field liaison will be in communication regarding progress and
struggles within the internship and in regards to professional development.
Ongoing evaluation should take place during regularly scheduled supervisory sessions with the student
and the agency-based field instructor.
A minimum of one field visit per semester is held at the agency with the student, agency-based field
instructor and field liaison.
A formal comprehensive field evaluation is completed and reviewed with the student by the agency-based
field instructor at the end of the semester.
Seminar attendance and participation, the professional development plan, site visit meeting notes, the
formal field evaluation and any other relevant information (ex: deficiency reports or performance
improvement plans) are taken into consideration for determining the grade earned.
The seminar instructor, will consult with the assigned field liaison instructor in determining the grade.
The final grade will be submitted by the seminar instructor.

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 UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Social Media and Other Internet Networks:

Providing information on internet social networking systems about internship agencies, personnel or clients is a
serious breach of confidentiality. Students must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and all agency specific
policies regarding the use of technology. If a student is found sharing information about agencies on an internet
social networking site, or violating field agency policies, action may be taken by the agency or field office to
dismiss the student from the agency, from field or both. Refer to MSW Field Manual for more detailed
information regarding social media policy.

FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student
records. FERPA governs both the access to and release of those records, known as education records, and the
information they contain. Under FERPA, faculty have a legal responsibility to protect the confidentiality of student
records. For additional information about FERPA and SUs FERPA policy, see
http://www.syr.edu/registrar/staff/ferpa or contact the Office of the Registrar (315-443-3535).

Email Policy
An official email address is established and assigned by Information Technology and Services (ITS) for each
registered student, and active faculty and staff members. All University communications sent via email will be
sent to this address. Faculty members will use the official University email address to communicate with students
registered in their classes and administrative units will correspond with students via this address.
http://supolicies.syr.edu/it/email.htm (for the full text of the policy)

Disability-Related Accommodations
If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services
(ODS), http://disabilityservices.syr.edu located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue, or call (315) 443-4498,
TDD: (315) 443-1371 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations.
ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented
Disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters, as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early
planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible. You are also
welcome to contact me privately to discuss your academic needs although I cannot arrange for disability-related
accommodations.

Faith Tradition Observances

Syracuse University does not have non-instructional days for any religious holiday and students must notify
instructors by the end of the second week of classes when they will be observing their religious holiday(s). SUs
religious observances policy recognizes the diversity of faiths represented among the campus community and
protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holy days according to their tradition. Under
the policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that
may be missed due to a religious observance provided they notify their instructors no later than the end of the
second week of classes. Student deadlines for notifications are posted in My Slice under Student
Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances/Add a Notification.
http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm (for the full text of the policy)

Registration Policy
In light of the University's financial policies and out of fairness to those who are properly enrolled, I remind you of
the Universitys registration policy that prohibits students from attending, being evaluated, auditing, or otherwise
participating in courses without being officially enrolled. Instructors may not allow students to attend classes
and/or submit work unless they appear on the official class list or are attending with the instructor's approval for
the purpose of making up an Incomplete (I) grade. http://coursecatalog.syr.edu/2014/rules/4312_registration (for
the full text of the policy)

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