Senior Practicum Eligibility and Protocol

The following eligibility protocol and standards must be met for the senior practicum:

1. Senior status.
2. A minimum grade of 2.5 and completion of all social work courses.
3. Acceptance into the social work program.
4. Completion of an application for the senior practicum.
5. Attendance at the practicum information session. This meeting will orient the students to the expectations of the practicum, provide an overview of the range of opportunities, discuss guidelines for placement, and discuss pre-placement interviews.
6. Completion of an interview with the faculty coordinator/liaison reviewing the practicum application and student resume.
7. With field coordinator's clearance, the student schedules up to two placement job interviews with organizations chosen by the student and approved by the faculty liaison.

Interviews are a mutual assessment process addressing some or all of the following:

1. Student's professional and personal career goals for the placement and professionally.
2. Expected experiences the agency anticipates being available for a generalist social work BSW practicum student.
3. Discussion of strengths and weaknesses of background and fit for organization.
4. Organization's expectations of the student, and expected frequency and format for supervision and regular work schedule.
5. Any organizational training required of interns by the practicum organization.

Following the interview(s), the student will contact the faculty coordinator regarding the placement process and decision. The student is then responsible to contact the agency(s) regarding his/her decision

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.
Field 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 field 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.