If the faculty coordinator/liaison receives a report from an agency instructor that a student has exhibited behaviors not consistent with the required NASW Code of Ethics and standards of professional practice, the student's practicum may be in jeopardy . A meeting will be arranged at which time the student will be given the opportunity to discuss the situation and explain his/her actions. It will be determined what corrective action is necessary, which may include a referral for professional counseling. A determination of how to proceed will then be decided by the field instructor, faculty coordinator/liaison and the student (student handbook, pp. 23-24).
The student will be formally notified of the decision. Should the student wish to appeal the student is encouraged to take his/her concerns to the department chair or the undergraduate academic dean for further attempts at resolution through the university's grievance procedures. A complete copy of these procedures is available upon request from the President's Office or the Student Life Office. All termination decisions and actions must be documented and copies maintained in the student's file.
Disability Statement
If you have received services in the past related to a physical disability, learning disability or attention deficit disorder and feel you may have such challenges in the seminar course or practicum setting, please make an appointment to speak with the faculty liaison and coordinator of student disability support services in the EMU Academic Support Center.
Importance of Teamwork
The senior social work practicum student in their field education agency and in the practicum seminar classroom becomes an active participant on a team in their learning process. The EMU faculty coordinator/liaison, the agency instructor, agency colleagues, student peers and the student make up an integral team enhancing the personal and professional learning and growth process. Teamwork and collaboration are seen as key components of "best practice" and the student is expected to participate fully with the agency team in a professional manner.
Agency instructors and colleagues are role models demonstrating the use of team work and collaboration in an agency setting. Teamwork, for the purpose of the practicum experience, is defined as the use of resources to enhance and improve the quality of care provided to client systems. Resources include agency instructor and colleagues providing guidance and answering questions to assist the student in acquiring knowledge and understanding available resources. Resources also include the array of complimentary services utilized by the agency through referrals that meet the client systems needs and challenges.
Teamwork is also a component of self-care as challenges can be shared with colleagues thus gaining needed support for persons on the agency team.