The Social Work Field Placement: A Competency-Based Approach

This unique core text helps BSW and MSW students structure their field placement learning around the nine CSWE professional social work competencies. Empowering students to go beyond merely completing tasks, the book facilitates mastery and integration of these competencies by elucidating key concepts and applying them to realistic competency-based case scenarios. Each user-friendly chapter--directly linked to a particular competency--promotes thought-provoking reflection about field work with critical thinking questions, a detailed case example, and an online competency reflection log template. These tools reinforce learning by connecting competencies directly to students' internship experiences.

Cases are structured to serve as models when students prepare their own cases and include a review of the competency; detailed practice settings; socioeconomic and context factors at micro, macro, and mezzo levels; a problem overview; an assessment of client strengths and weaknesses; and a closing summary. Additional learning aids include chapter opening vignettes and objectives, plus chapter summaries. Web and video links offer students a wealth of supplemental resources, and a robust instructors package provides teachers with PowerPoints, written competency assignments with grading rubrics, and discussion exercises. The print version includes free, searchable, digital access to entire contents of the book.

Key Features:

• Integrates field placement experiences with the nine CSWE 2015 competencies
• Promotes thought-provoking reflection about fieldwork with detailed case studies and challenging learning tools
• Includes discussions of ethical dilemmas, technology, and social media to reflect growing use and the challenges associated
• Includes online instructors' resources including, PowerPoints, written competency assignments with grading rubrics, and class discussion field reflection activities
• Print version includes free, searchable, digital access to entire contents of the book

John Poulin, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor at Widener University's Center for Social Work Education currently teaching the foundation field seminar in Widener's online MSW program. In 2016, he retired from Widener University where he had taught generalist practice, research, and policy courses for 32 years. Dr. Poulin received a BA from the University of Southern Maine, an MSW from the University of Michigan, and a PhD from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. The former director of Widener's BSW program, he founded its MSW program and served as the dean and director for 13 years. He also served for 10 years as the executive director of Social Work Consultation Services (SWCS), an innovative community-based field placement agency developed by the school of social work in collaboration with local community human service organizations. SWCS provides a wide range of free social work services to low-income community residents as well as free capacity building services to under-resourced, community-based human service organizations. Dr. Poulin has published numerous journal articles and book chapters and three editions of a generalist social work practice textbook and coauthored a new textbook designed for use in foundation field placement seminars and field placements. He has also delivered many national and international conference presentations.

Selina Matis, Ph.D., LCSW, is a proud social worker and lifelong resident of southwestern Pennsylvania. She earned her MSW from California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U). She received her doctoral degree in social work from Widener University. Additionally, she has a BS in elementary education and an MS in school psychology, both from Cal U. Clinically, she has worked primarily in the mental health arena supporting children and their families in a variety of settings. Her research interests include resilience, mental well-being, trauma, burnout, and self-care. Educationally, Dr. Matis has taught at both the BSW and MSW levels in a variety of subject areas including research, policy, human behavior in the social environment, and program evaluation. She has experience supporting students through the field process in a variety of ways, including as a field coordinator, field faculty liaison, and MSW supervisor. Dr. Matis has published and presented on a variety of topics including resilience, trauma-informed social work, working with families, helping students succeed, and the social work competencies.