Introduction

* Our Mission is “Transformative education for exceptional Social Work practice.”

Welcome to the Mount Royal University Social Work Diploma practicum manual. As an approved program of the Professional Social Work Education Board of the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), upon completion of the diploma program, you can apply for provisional registration with the ACSW. Many of our Social Work students join a professional community that includes provincial, national and international associations. This manual guides your practicum experiences through to completion of the required hours of practicum experience for graduation. The ACSW sets the standards that all social work diploma programs must adhere to and this includes the delivery of practicums.

This program prepares you for entry into the profession of Social Work. Social Work is a rewarding and demanding profession focusing on community. The broad scope of practice requires workers to have a wide knowledge and skill base embedded in values and behaviours that are congruent with the profession. We believe that in all learning experiences offered to you during the Social Work program, you will have the opportunities to learn and be assessed for your knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours.

A key aspect of MRU’s education is based on practicum experience through which theory and skill are incorporated into everyday social work practice in a broad range of environments where social workers are employed.

In addition to specific outcomes related to each of the practica courses, the Social Work program has established five broad learning outcomes related to the Practicum I and II.

1. Practice within the values and ethics of the Social Work profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
2. Ability to advocate effectively and appropriately on behalf of clients/client groups.
3. Engage and assess the strengths and needs of diverse clients and communities and apply interventions to promote change while encouraging, maintaining, and protecting clients’ rights to participation and autonomous decision making
4. Practice collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, supervisors and other professionals and community members.
5. Ability to recognize and apply practice theories/frameworks/perspectives in the context of social work practice.

The practicum is also referred to as your “field work” and your “placement” in this manual. Graduates of our program will have completed two practica over the course of study. Students will be referred to as “you or in limited cases student”. The faculty and those in charge of this manual will be referred to “we, and our”.

The Field Director, Practicum Coordinator and faculty members in Social Work are available to consult and assist you in exploring your options and making the choice that is best for you. You enter a variety of settings, which will provide you with the opportunity to engage in social work practice under the supervision of a qualified individual within the practicum setting (referred to as the agency Field Instructor/supervisor).