Field Manual for 2013-2014 - University of Maryland School of ...

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
ADVANCED Field Education- CLINICAL
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SWCL 794 and SWCL 795
INTRODUCTION
Advanced Field Education-Clinical, taken after successful completion of the Foundation curriculum, may
be completed selecting one of two models: 1) three days (twenty-four hours) a week in the field, generally
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, for two semesters, from the beginning of the academic year through the
beginning of May or 2) two days (sixteen hours) a week in the field from the beginning of the academic year
through July. The course objectives and academic credit of 6 credits a semester are the same for both models.
However, the calendars which reflect when material is to be turned in to the School are different. Calendars
are available in the Field Education Manual.
In addition to having selected the clinical concentration, students in Advanced Field Education have also
chosen one of the following four specializations: aging, families and children, health or mental health.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The following set of learning objectives provides the framework for students’ field experience and constitutes
the Advanced Practice Field Education Curriculum for Clinical students. It is intended to serve as a guide in
identifying students’ learning needs and in evaluating their performance during both semesters in the field.
It is expected that the field experience will provide opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery of each
of the objectives. There may be differences in emphasis related to the agency’s program and the student’s
learning needs. However, this curriculum statement is to be used as the primary working document between
the school for the teaching and learning which should take place in a given semester.
Since this is Advanced fieldwork, students are expected to use and develop their knowledge to clarify and
sharpen their assessment skills and to sort out complex situations. Their knowledge should be evident in
their well-informed decisions. They are expected to move toward mastery of the knowledge objectives with
demonstrated integration of their knowledge and experience. In their clinical work, students are expected to
demonstrate self-direction and control. They should be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses in their
performance.
At the completion of the field experience, students are expected to have mastered the identified skills of
clinical social work. They should be able to explain their use of specific modalities in relation to client need
and to use their skills differentially to facilitate the helping process. Their work should be characterized by
conscious, disciplined use of self, initiative, risk-taking when appropriate and self-evaluation. Their decisions
and actions are expected to reflect a commitment to social work values and ethics.
Requirements
1. Each student will develop a written learning contract with the Field Instructor.
2. Students and Field Instructors will participate in scheduled weekly Field Education conferences. The
conferences should take the form of individual tutorial sessions for a minimum of one hour per week and
should include a discussion of process recordings.
3. Students will submit monthly reports and a written schedule to make up any missed time.
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