Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Beginning Field Practicum (Face-to-Face)

SW 4891-01

Course: SW 4891-01
Credits: 6
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Family Life & Human Develop
CRN: 30825

Course Description

This course provides social work students with practical experience within a social services agency. The focus of beginning practicum is for students to apply content, theory, and skills in professional practice under direct supervision of a field instructor. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Pass/Fail)] Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission Registration Restriction(s): Senior standing required and Social work majors only

Required Texts

Optional text:
  • A Writer’s Reference (6th Edition) by Diana Hacker. ISBN: 978-0-312-45025-0

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
  2. Engage diversity and difference in practice
  3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
  4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
  5. Engage in policy practice
  6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Course Requirements

Practicum Seminar Attendance (200 Points Total)
A critical component of the field education/practicum experience is attending and participating in the scheduled practicum seminar which is intended to support students in the integration of classroom theory, experience and other knowledge into their field education while supporting development of the CSWE Core Competencies and will be held 10 times throughout the semester (see schedule below). Students will earn 20 points each time they attend and engage in practicum seminar. Missing one or two practicum seminar sessions will not negatively impact your practicum grade; consistently missing and/or lack of engagement during practicum seminar sessions will negatively impact your practicum grade and possibly credit earned. You will be asked to read sections of the assigned text weekly which will guide our discussions about secondary trauma and self-care. Students will be assigned one week to lead the group discussion on the assigned reading. Active participation is expected.

Practicum Learning Plan (200 points)
You will complete the Learning Plan with your Field Instructor during supervision meetings that can be found on IPT or in the Practicum Manual Appendices. This assignment is designed to help you connect the CSWE Core Competencies and your BSW coursework to social work practice at your site. You are expected to be specific about the tasks/activities, methods of evaluation, and links to BSW coursework that you identify. The Learning Plan needs to be completed and signed by yourself and your Field Instructor to receive credit. You are welcome to consult your task manager on this assignment as well, if appropriate.

Practicum Site Inventory (50 Points Total)
I will create a spreadsheet that will be viewable by all of you with your name and field site with information to be completed. Please fill out your line in its entirety to contribute to a growing field manual that will provide comprehensive information on all sites. I am looking for information on your typical tasks, what hours/days you are expected, what population of clients you serve, if you are paid for your hours, etc.

Process Recordings (150 Points Total)
You will complete 3 process recordings throughout the semester, each worth 50 points. A process recording is a written recollection of an interaction with a client. It is a very useful tool for improving interactive skills with clients because of the opportunity it provides for self-reflection. To complete a process recording, after (for potential legal reasons do not take notes for this purpose during the interaction) a face-to-face (preferable) or video interaction with a client, document what took place including:
  • Everything you said to them
  • Everything they said to you
  • Your thoughts throughout your interaction
  • Client responses to you
  • Any other observations you find relevant

After completing the process recording, discuss it with your field instructor/task manager. In your write-up, protect the identity of your clients by using initials or pseudonyms. After you have written your process recording which can be formatted in any way that makes sense to you, please include a 1 - 2 page summary about your insights and observations with your process recording experience to include your discussion with your field instructor. What did you notice? How will you implement your observations going forward? For the second and third process recording, please reflect on how you have integrated observations from earlier process recordings into your practice/interactions with clients.

Mid-Term Site Visit (200 Points Total)
Please schedule an appointment for your assigned field education faculty to visit with you and your field instructor/task manager at your field education placement site. Please plan on between 30 minutes to an hour for this visit. For full credit, this interview needs to be scheduled (not completed) at least 2 weeks before the due date. After the site visit, please submit a 1 - 2 page summary about feedback received and how you will apply it.

Ethical Dilemma Case Presentation (100 Points Total)
Each student will choose 1 ethical dilemma encountered at their practicum and present about it during practicum seminar in the final weeks of the semester. While protecting the identities of all individuals involved by using initials or pseudonyms for individuals involved, please include the following information in your presentations:
  • Relevant information about the case
  • What creates the ethical dilemma?
  • What, if any, personal values for anyone involved are complicating this dilemma?
  • What specific aspects of the NASW Code of Ethics are relevant?
  • What kind of supervision and/or consultation took place?
  • What was the resolution?
  • Did/do you agree with the resolution based on your interpretation of the NASW Code of Ethics?
Why or why not?
If there wasn’t or hasn’t been a resolution, what would you recommend based on the NASW Code of Ethics?

Field Instructor Evaluation (150 points)
Please print/download the Field instructor Evaluation form found in the Canvas assignment shell as well as in Appendix D of the Practicum manual and provide it to your field instructor no later than week 12 in the semester. Your field instructor will return the form directly to your assigned field education faculty during the last week of the semester by email, fax, or postal mail. Breakdown of grading is as follows:


  • A score of 3 or higher for 8-9 competencies: 150 points
  • A score of 3 or higher for 7 competencies: 125 points
  • A score of 3 or higher for 6 competencies: 100 points
  • A score of 3 or higher for 5 competencies: 75 points
  • A score of 3 or higher for 4 competencies: 50 points
  • A score of 3 or higher for 3 competencies: 25 points
  • A score of 3 or higher for 1-2 competencies: 0 points

Practicum Hours and Supervision Log (200 points)
Please submit the Practicum Hours and Supervision Log Form that can be found in the Canvas assignment shell and Appendix E of the Practicum Manual no later than the last day of the semester. In order to receive credit for this assignment:

·    The form must be completed in its entirety.
·    1 Hour minimum of Supervision weekly must be documented

Spring Practicum Fair
Your attendance is expected at the Spring Practicum Fair to assist in informing next year’s students about your site experience and expectations. This has yet to be scheduled but should be expected to take place in late February. I will inform you of the date as early as possible, please coordinate with your task managers and site coordinators to prepare.


Course Outline

Practicum Seminar Schedule

Week 1: Welcome Back — January 10
Topics and activities:

  •  Student reflections about practicum 
  •  Create the reading discussion leader schedule 
Nothing due.

Week 2: CSWE Core Competency 1 — January 17
Study: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Read: Part One, Chapters 1 and 2
Discussion leaders: Alexa and Daicee

Nothing due.

Week 3: CSWE Core Competency 2 — January 24
Study: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Read: Part Two, Chapters 3 and 4
Discussion leaders: Dani and Savannah
Due January 24:

  •  Learning Plan on IPT 
  •  Process Recording 1 

Week 4: CSWE Core Competency 3 — January 31
Study: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Read: Part Three, Chapters 5 and 6
Discussion leaders: Nichole and Erena
Due February 7:

  •  Site Inventory 

Week 5: CSWE Core Competency 4 — February 7
Study: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
Read: Chapters 7 and 8
Discussion leaders: Madi and Sequoia

Nothing due.

Week 6: Midterm Site Visits — February 14

  •  No seminar 
  •  All midterm visits must be scheduled by 5:00 p.m. on February 14 

Week 7: Midterm Site Visits — February 21

  •  No seminar 
Due February 21:

  •  Process Recording 2 

Week 8: Midterm Site Visits — February 28

  •  No seminar 
February 24:

  •  Spring Practicum Fair from 3:00–4:00 p.m. in BH 121 
  •  The room will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. 

Week 9: CSWE Core Competency 5 — March 7
Study: Engage in Policy Practice
Read: Chapters 9 and 10
Discussion leaders: Karlee and Lexy
Due March 7:

  •  Midterm Site Visit Reflection 
Spring Break: March 10–14

  •  No seminar 

Week 10: CSWE Core Competency 6 — March 21
Study: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Read:

  •  Chapters 11 and 12 
  •  Conclusion chapter 
Discussion leaders: Jolie, Kiley, and Trinadee

Nothing due.

Week 11: CSWE Core Competency 7 — March 28
Study: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Activity:

  •  Ethical Dilemma Case Study Presentations 
  •  Presenters: Alexa and Jolie 
Due March 28:

  •  Process Recording 3 

Week 12: CSWE Core Competency 8 — April 4
Study: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Activity:

  •  Ethical Dilemma Case Study Presentations 
  •  Presenters: Madi, Sequoia, Daicee, and Nichole 
Nothing due.

Week 13: CSWE Core Competency 9 — April 11
Study: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Activity:

  •  Ethical Dilemma Case Study Presentations 
  •  Presenters: Dani, Karlee, Trinadee, and Savannah 
Nothing due.

Week 14: Ethical Dilemma Case Study Presentations — April 18
Presenters: Kylee, Erena, and Lexy
Due April 18:

  •  Ethical Dilemma Case Study slides and materials 
  •  BSW Program Surveys 

Finals Week: April 21–24
Due April 23:

  •  Field Instructor Evaluation on IPT 
  •  Task Manager Evaluation by email, if applicable 
  •  Supervision and On-Site Time Logs on IPT 
  •  Evaluation of Practicum Setting on IPT

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  1. Late assignments (reading quizzes, discussions) will be accepted at a 10% penalty per day after the due date, including weekends (the late policy does not apply to the midterm or final.)  You do not need to ask permission to turn in something late, just turn it in and anticipate the late policy to apply.  
  2. Late midterms, finals and presentations will not be accepted without DRC Accommodations.
  3. All late work is due on the last day of instruction as indicated by the University Academic Calendar.  
  4. If you’re experiencing a physical and/or emotional health challenge and feel an exception not covered above should be provided to you, please follow these steps: a) Reach out to the DRC
    Links to an external site. first and ask for accommodations as this is the best way to ensure an equitable treatment for all, b) please then contact me via email so I can best support you c) If you are not in crisis, but want to discuss late work or any other issues, please contact our TA.
  5. All assignments are due by 11:59 pm on the due date unless otherwise noted in Canvas. Please check the time that assignment is due.  In some cases, there will be an assignment due at 5pm for a specific reason.  I will not accept "I thought it was due at midnight" as an excuse. 
  6. I welcome any meetings to discuss your progress and late work.  I will be asking you to complete this form before our meeting so that we can make the best use of our time.  

Attendance Policy

As this is a face-to-face class and we meet only ten times during the term, attendance is essential. If you are ill or instructed to isolate, you may request that I record or stream the class and share it with you, but evidence of your illness or other status may be required.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.