DEVELOPING A LEARNING CONTRACT IN PRACTICUM

Why is the Learning Contract important? What are the Benefits of the Learning Contract?

  • It is your Educational Contract
  • It is your “Road Map” in Practicum stating what you will learn
  • It informs the Practicum Office what you intend to accomplish at the agency
  • It minimizes the possibility of misunderstandings and provides accountability
  • It helps the student keep in mind their commitment
  • It helps the student focus and plan time at the agency
  • It maintains a safeguard to ensure the integrity of the practicum as an educational experience and to discourage the use of students a substitute employees

Steps in Developing the Learning Contract:

  • Familiarize yourself with the agency
  • Talk with your Practicum Instructor(s) about what you would like to accomplish in Practicum and what the Instructor’s expectations are of you while in Practicum
  • Review Practicum Syllabi and the Practicum Manual to better understand the School’s expectations of you while in Practicum
  • Create a draft of your Learning Contract that includes Assignments & Experiences/Projects Specific to the Agency in each Task area, as well as the Target Date to complete the assignment.*(some assignments may fit in more than one Task area).
  • Review your draft with your Practicum Instructor(s) and revise if necessary
  • After finalizing your Learning Contract, both you and your Practicum Instructor will need to sign and date the Contract
  • Make a copy of the Learning Contract and send the copy to the Practicum Office, keep the original for your use at Practicum

NOTE:Your Learning Contract is due within the first 2 weeks of starting Practicum.

BSSW & MSW FOUNDATION STUDENTS:

There are 7 Goal areas for BSSW and MSW Foundation level students. BSSW and MSW Foundation level students are encouraged to list at least one assignment in each of the five Task areas under each of the 7 Goals.

ADVANCED MSW STUDENTS:

There are 9 Goal areas for Advanced MSW students. Students are encouraged to list at least one assignment in each of the five Task areas under each of the first 7 Goals. In Addition:

  • Advanced MSW students with a Clinical Concentration are required to complete assignments in each Task area of the Clinical Practice section, and must complete a minimum of one assignment from the Administration/Policy/Advocacy Goal.
  • Advanced MSW students with an Advance GeneralistConcentrationare required to complete assignments in a minimum of 3 Task areas for the Clinical Practice Goal, and a minimum of 3 Task areas for the Administration/Policy/Advocacy Goal.

DUAL DEGREE STUDENTS:

Advanced MSW students in the Dual Degree Program (MSW/MPA, MSW/MPH or MSW/MCJ) are required to complete 2 Learning Contracts, one which addresses Social Work assignments, and one that addresses Public Administration, Public Health or Criminal Justiceassignments. Students are encouraged to list assignments in each of the five Task areas under each of the first 7 Goals then list assignments in the Clinical Practice Goal for the MSW Learning Contract. Students will follow this same process for the MPA, MPH or MCJ Learning Contract, listing assignments in the Administration/Policy/Advocacy Goal instead of the Clinical Practice Goal. If the student is completing their Dual Degree Practicum at one agency, then only one Learning Contract will need to be completed.

  • Please Note: Some assignments may fit more than one Task area.

Having more than one “IE” (Insufficient Evidence) in each Goal area could affect the student’s final grade.

10/16/13 KK