MSW Advanced Practice -Student Learning Agreement

Walden University — 

 

Used with SOCW 6520 and SOCW 6530

 

Agency Name: [Type here]

Agency Address: «AddressBlock»

Student Information Instructor/Supervisor Information Faculty Liaison

Information

 

Agency Info

 

Name: [Type here]

Walden Email: [Type here]

Phone: [Type here]

 

Name: [Type here]

Email: [Type here]

Phone: [Type here]

 

Name: [Type here]

Email: [Type here]

Phone: [Type here]

 

Description:

 

Academic Term

Example: Winter 2016

Error! AutoText entry not

defined.

 

Course Number

Example: SOCW 6520-10

[Type here]

 

Population Served:

 

Proposed Schedule:

 

Describe what your regular tasks will be at the agency:

 

Importance of the Learning Agreement

 

Purpose of the Learning Agreement: The learning agreement is designed to ensure students are mindful about the learning expectations in their

field placement. It was developed to help students and supervisors/instructors plan a well-rounded experience that will help students meet the

learning objectives.

Learning Objectives: The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires students gain competency in nine areas of social work practice. These

areas of practice are defined as core competencies of the profession. Each core competency requires specific behaviors students should be able to

engage and gain competency in. Students should provide examples of activities in the agency they can participate in to help them meet the

learning objectives. Some examples of activities are provided. This is not an exhaustive list, so others can be added. Students must have an

opportunity to complete tasks in all nine areas of competency.

Connection to the Student Evaluation: Not only is the learning agreement a helpful tool to plan the learning goals for the term, but it connects

directly to the evaluation points in the student evaluation. Field Instructors/supervisors will be asked to complete student evaluations. Each

student is evaluated on the nine core competencies of social work. Having a solid learning agreement aligns the learning goals with the student’s

evaluation, so no areas are missed.

 

Instructions

 

Negotiating the Agreement: The learning agreement should be completed by week 4 at the agency. This is a collaborative process, where the field

instructor/supervisor and student meet to establish goals for the term. The student will then submit the agreement to the faculty liaison for

feedback and comments. Once everyone is happy with the agreement, all parties sign the agreement. During the evaluation session, toward the

end of the quarter, the student and instructor/supervisor should meet to discuss progress and challenges with the plan and develop ways to adjust

the learning for the remainder of the placement and the next quarter.

Form Layout:

Each page/grid is devoted to one of the nine Social Work Core Competencies. Students must have experience in all nine competencies.

Section Descriptions:

Expected Behaviors – the expected behaviors are those that are identified based on the concentration area. These behaviors should be

demonstrated by students during the term of the field placement/internship.

 

Agency Activities-These are examples of specific activities that students can do at the agency to demonstrate the expected behaviors. Most

of these are general to all settings. However, if they don’t quite match, feel free to add/change these to fit with the context of your

agency. Check all activities that apply.

Field Course Assignments-These are a few examples of field course assignments that help reinforce the Social Work Core Competencies.

Students will be required to complete all field course assignments.

How to Complete the Form:

a- By week 2, students should complete all student designated sections on the learning agreement and discuss it with their supervisor/instructor.

b- By week 4, students should upload the learning agreement to Blackboard for the faculty liaison to review. (Only upload agreements that have been

approved by your supervisor/instructor).

c- After the faculty liaison reviews and signs the agreement, the student and instructor should sign it.

d- After the agreement has been signed, the student will upload it to Meditrek.

 

Learning Agreement

Social Work Core Competency 1 – Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

a- Refers and adheres to the NASW Code of

Ethics, and other local, state, and federal legal

statutes and regulations to inform professional

practice.

b- Identifies and manages personal values to

ensure ethical social work practice.

c. Uses effective professional written and oral

communication skills in all interactions.

d. Practices the ethical and appropriate use of

technology.

e. Integrates supervision and consultation to

guide professional judgement and behavior.

 

Adhere to ethical standards outlined by the

NASW and other social work organizations

Discuss personal values in supervision when

they conflict with the values of the profession and

adjust practice as needed.

Recognize personal triggers that could impede

effectiveness with clients. Discuss those triggers

with your supervisor.

Discuss case scenarios with my supervisor and

faculty liaison that require ethical reasoning.

Seek guidance when you experience and ethical

dilemma.

 

SOCW 6520 (Field III) Assignments:

Self-Assessment Assignment (Week1)

Blog post on confidentiality (Week 2)

Blog Post safety in field (Week 3)

Blog Post on Supervision (Week 4)

Blog on Ethics (Week 5)

Use of Self Blog (Week 8)

 

f-Demonstrates professional development by

identifying the specialized skills and knowledge

needed to competent advanced social work

practice.

 

Maintain professional boundaries with clients

and others and discuss and potential boundary

challenges in supervision.

Use professional communication and

interaction with clients, colleagues, and others.

Recognize your professional responsibility to

the client, the profession, and the agency.

Adhere to agency polices about technology

and record keeping. Discuss with your supervisor

any potential ethical challenges that may arise

because of the use of technology.

Add other activities here:

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these expectations and

activities will help you increase competence in ethical and professional behavior. For example, how will you use your

strengths, improve knowledge, develop skills, and address any areas you need to improve as a professional (be specific)?

 

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you develop as a professional social worker (these goals should

address areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

 

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation).

 

Social Work Core Competency 2 – Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

a-Demonstrates cultural awareness by recognizing

and integrating diverse populations’ varying

values, culture, norms, and beliefs throughout the

therapeutic process.

b-Demonstrates cultural humility by managing

personal biases when partnering with clients.

c- Communicates in a culturally responsive way

recognizing various community structures, norms,

and values.

 

Practice with those who are different from you

based on age, SES, color, culture, disability,

ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

Discuss in supervision and in class the

strengths of engaging diversity and the challenges

you have when engaging difference.

Engage in self-refection about personal biases

related to client population and discuss with

supervisor and be able to demonstrate that you

can have a personal view and a professional view

in practice.

Develop a diversity/cultural competency plan

that allows you to learn about the cultural needs

of client groups and be culturally responsive when

communicating with clients.

 

Add other activities here:

 

SOCW 6520 (Field III) Assignments:

Agency Assignment – describe the population

(Week 4)

Diversity Blog (Week 7)

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you engage

diversity and difference in practice. For example, how will you use your strengths, improve knowledge, develop skills, and

address any areas you need to improve as a professional (be specific)?

 

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to engage diversity and difference in practice (these goals should

address areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

 

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during the evaluation).

 

Social Work Core Competency 3- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

a-Considers the effects of oppression,

discrimination, structural social inequality, and

historical trauma on clients/constituents and their

systems to guide intervention planning.

b- Chooses practices that promote human rights

and social, economic, and environmental justice.

c- Advocates for underserved populations and

 

communities and works to help them build self-

capacity.

 

Identify barriers clients face when accessing

services at my agency or at other agencies and

discuss during supervision.

Develop a plan to learn about the effects of

oppression, discrimination, inequality, and trauma

on clients.

Use evidence-based practices that consider the

unique challenges clients have when faced with

oppression, discrimination, social inequality, and

historical trauma.

Discuss with supervisor about how social,

economic, and environmental factors affect client

outcomes.

Work with instructor/supervisor to engage

advocacy for needs and services for clients.

Collaborate with a local or national

organization that advocates for your population.

Add other activities here:

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you advance

human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. For example, how will you use your strengths, improve

knowledge, develop skills, and address any areas you need to improve as a professional (be specific)?

 

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you advance human rights and justice (these goals should

address areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during the evaluation)

 

Social Work Core Competency 4 – Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

a-. Critically evaluates evidence based and “best

practice” tools and interventions

b- Develops intervention plans based on the best

available research and “best practices”.

c- Identifies the strengths and challenges of

current evidence-based practices when applied

across systems and populations.

 

Research the evidence-based treatment

interventions associated with the context of your

agency.

Use critical thinking to evaluate the benefits

and challenges of the evidence-based

interventions used with clients. Discuss your

ideas with your supervisor.

Develop treatment plans for clients that are

evidence-based.

Add other activities here:

 

SOCW 6520 (Field III) Assignment:

Intervention Treatment Plan Assignment

SOCW6530 (Field IV) Assignment:

Intervention Treatment Plan Assignment part II

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you engage in

practice-informed research and research-informed practice. For example, how will you use your strengths, improve knowledge,

develop skills, and address any areas you need to improve as a professional (be specific)?

 

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you improve use research in your practice justice (these goals

should address areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

 

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation).

 

Social Work Core Competency- 5- Engage in Policy Practice

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

a- Critically evaluates and creates awareness

about agency and/or government policies and

regulations that impact the well-being of clients

and communities.

b- Applies critical thinking to analyze, formulate,

and advocate for policies that support the needs

of clients and communities.

 

Consider policies that affect the lives of your

clients and discuss those challenges with your

supervisor.

Use critical thinking to examine the negative

impact of policies on clients and advocate when

needed.

Explore how social problems are connected to

social policy.

Explore how agency funding is connected to

policy.

Add other activities here:

 

SOCW 6520 (Field III) Assignment:

Week 10 focuses on Organizational Policy

Social Problem/Policy Assignment

SOCW6530 (Field IV) Assignment:

Agency Funding and Policy Implication

Assignment

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how these will help you engage in

policy practice. For example, how will you use your strengths, improve knowledge, develop skills, and address any areas you

need to improve as a professional (be specific)?

 

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to engage in policy practice (these goals should address areas of growth

and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

 

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation)

 

Social Work Core Competency 6- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors – Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

Individuals

a. Applies knowledge of advanced theory and

skills when choosing engagement strategies

b. Uses empathy, reflection, and interpersonal

skills to engage diverse clients.

Families

 

Show care, empathy, and genuineness with

clients to initiate therapeutic relationships.

Use a strengths-based approach when

engaging with individuals, groups, and families.

 

SOCW 6520 (Field III) –First 11 weeks

Process Recording (Week 5)

Process Recording (Week 7)

 

c. Uses empathy, reflection, interpersonal skills,

and knowledge of advanced family theories

to engage with families.

Groups

d. Uses empathy, reflection, interpersonal skills,

and knowledge of group dynamics to engage

group members in the group process.

e. Engages with inter-professional teams and

stakeholders associated with clients’ needs.

Organizations

f. Engages with organizations that provide

services, support, advocacy, and resources to

support client needs.

g. Engages with advocacy initiatives that impact

client care.

Communities

h. Identifies and actively participates in

opportunities to communicate with

community groups about social work

practice, client needs, and agency services.

 

Use active listening and other engagement

skills.

Consult with organizations to assist with client

needs.

☐Engage in professional communication in

interprofessional team meetings from the social

work perspective.

Connect and work with community

organizations that provide services related to the

clients you serve.

Add other engagement activities:

 

Week 9 focuses on Individual, Family, and Group

contexts

SOCW6530 (Field IV)- Second 11 weeks

Week 1 & Week 2 Focus on Engagement

Blog on Engagement (Week 2)

Process Recording (Week 3)

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how you will engage with the

following target systems in the context of your agency:

Individuals:

Families:

Groups:

Communities:

Organizations:

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you develop your engagement skills (these goals should address

areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

 

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during the evaluation)

 

Social Work Core Competency 7-Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

Individuals

a. Conducts assessments that provide

 

information about the biopsychosocial-

spiritual needs of clients.

 

b. Uses critical thinking to apply the strengths

perspective and theories of human behavior

and the social environment when analyzing

and interpreting assessment information.

c. Uses critical thinking to apply knowledge of

advanced theoretical perspectives when

gathering, analyzing, and interpreting

assessment information.

 

d. Develops mutually agreed-upon evidence-

based interventions that consider culture,

 

values, and safety.

Families

e. Conducts family assessments to understand

family roles, functioning, relationships,

resources, and support needs.

f. Uses critical thinking to apply theories of

family systems when analyzing and

interpreting family functioning, support, and

dynamics.

Groups

g. Identifies the professional social work role in

inter-professional and supervision group

meetings and assesses how that role

contributes to the group’s purpose.

h. Assesses the functioning and needs of

professional and/or patient focused groups,

and considers the best intervention

strategies, based on an understanding

 

Utilize agency appropriate forms, tools, and

processes to complete biopsychosocial – spiritual

assessments.

Utilize developmentally, and strengths-based

approaches to assessment.

Assist clients in developing mutually agreed

 

upon goals and interventions to enhance well-

being.

 

Assess family functioning, relationships and

support needs in the context of the agency’s

practice.

Work with groups to assess needs and to

inform group intervention goals and treatment

strategies.

 

Assess ways you can participate in inter-

professional and supervision meetings from the

 

social work perspective.

Assess how other organizations assist with

client needs and where there may be gaps in

services.

Assess the role the community plays in

providing services for your clients (financial,

legislative, representative, etc.) Discuss your

findings with your supervisor.

Add other assessment activities:

 

SOCW6520 (Field III) – First 11 weeks

Process Recording (Week 5)

Week 9 Focus on Individuals, Families, and Groups

SOCW 6510 (Field II)- Second 11 weeks

 

SOCW 6530 (Field IV)- Second 11 weeks

Week 3 and 4 devoted to the assessment process,

with assignments of blogs and process recordings.

 

advanced theory and evidence-based

practice.

Organizations

i. Assesses how the agency’s mission,

structure, vision, connect to client outcomes.

j. Uses critical thinking to consider the

strengths and limitations services provided to

clients.

Communities

k. Develops knowledge about community

resources, governance, political climate, and

initiatives to support community members.

l. Uses critical thinking to consider the

strengths and limitations of the community

and how those impact the functioning of

clients.

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how you will assess the following

target systems in the context of your agency:

Individuals:

Families:

Groups:

Organizations:

Communities:

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you develop your assessment skills (these goals should address

areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

 

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during supervision)

 

Social Work Core Competency 8-Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Communities, and Organizations

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

Individuals

a. Implements interventions based on the

strengths’ perspective, biopsychosocial

needs, and current evidence-based practices

appropriate for the setting and client needs.

b. Utilizes appropriate resources and services

for clients.

c. Promotes effective transitions and endings

that incorporate mutually agreed-upon goals.

Families

d. Implements family interventions based on

the strengths perspective, family culture,

family systems theory, and evidence-based

practice.

e. Utilizes appropriate resources, services, and

interventions for families.

Groups

f. Uses professional ethics, knowledge, and

evidence-based interventions with groups.

Organizations

g. Participates in opportunities to improve

agency/organization service delivery that will

support the needs of clients.

Communities

h. Explores and actively participates in

opportunities to advocate for community

services, healthy environments, and equity.

 

Use agency-appropriate and developmentally-

appropriate intervention strategies and

 

techniques.

Use relevant prevention strategies with

individuals, families, and groups.

Explore various evidence-based interventions

and discuss those with your supervisor.

Intervene with families using appropriate

family theories.

Explore and utilizes resources to provide

holistic care.

Talk with supervisor about planning for

termination or transitions with clients.

Consults with supervisor about ways to be

involved in service delivery improvement at

the agency.

☐Consults with supervisor about opportunities to

be involved in advocacy.

Add other activities here:

 

SOCW 6520 (Field III) First 11 weeks

 

Week 9 focuses on Individuals, Families, and

Groups

 

Discuss with supervisor evidence-based practices

used in agency setting

SOCW 6530 (Field IV) Second 11 weeks

Weeks 5 and 6 focus on intervention with

assignments of blogs and process recordings.

Week 9 focuses on Termination with clients

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how you will intervene with all of the

following target systems in the context of your agency:

 

Individuals:

Families:

Groups:

Organizations:

Communities:

For Student: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you apply appropriate intervention strategies (these goals should

address areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Student: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation)

 

Social Work Core Competency 9- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Expected Behaviors – You will be

evaluated on these at the end of the

quarter

 

Agency Activities to help you achieve the

expected behaviors- Check ALL that

apply AND add other activities specific to

your agency.

 

Field Course Assignments – Complete

these in the course when assigned.

 

Individuals

a. evaluates the effectiveness of intervention

strategies for with individuals

b. utilizes evaluation data to inform new

intervention strategies.

Families

c. evaluates the effectiveness of intervention

strategies used to improve family functioning

and support.

 

Considers the effectiveness of therapeutic

interventions and makes changes to

treatment plans as needed.

Consults with supervisor about treatment

plan outcomes to consider potential

alternatives.

 

SOCW 6520 (Field III) First 11 weeks

Week 9 focuses on Individuals, Families, and

Groups

 

SOCW 6530 (Field IV) Second 11 weeks

 

d. utilizes evaluation data to inform new

intervention strategies and resources.

Groups

e. evaluates the effectiveness of group related

processes and interventions.

f. Utilizes evaluation data to inform future

group processes.

Organizations

g. evaluates the effectiveness of intervention

strategies provided by agencies to support

clients.

h. utilizes evaluation data to inform advocacy

initiatives to improve services.

Communities

i. evaluates the effectiveness of community

services and resources for clients and

agencies.

j. utilizes evaluation data to inform advocacy

initiatives

 

Evaluate the effectiveness of social

services provided organizations and

communities and advocate where needed.

Meet with clients to assess the progress of

their goals and make changes in treatment

plans as necessary.

Participate in data collection, needs

assessments, and other research efforts to

inform advocacy or awareness initiatives.

Add other activities here:

 

Weeks 7 and 8 focus on evaluation of client

success with assignments of blog posts and

process recordings.

 

For Student: After reviewing the Agency Activities and Field Course Assignments, describe how you will evaluate with all of the

following target systems in the context of your agency:

Individuals:

Families:

Groups:

Organizations:

Communities:

For Students: Write two goals that you want to achieve to help you understand how to evaluate clients and other systems

(these goals should address areas of growth and professional development).

 

For Students: Write down any questions you have for your instructor/supervisor or faculty liaison:

 

Instructor/Supervisor’s Feedback for Evaluation: (To be completed during evaluation)

 

WORKSITE INTERNSHIPS ONLY

For this section, please complete the following table

List specific tasks/activities that meet SW competencies.

 

SPECIFIC WORKSITE TASK/ACTIVITY Is this part of your

job description?

 

IDENTIFY WHICH

COMPETENCY 1-9

TASK IS

ADDRESSING

 

Example: Admission intake process Yes No

 

Internship Accountability Schedule

 

Placement Allocation List specific days of the

week you will be

in working for each

role.

 

List specific hours you will

be engaged in this role

during the week.

 

Employment Supervisor Name Field Instructor Name

 

Employment hours

Internship hours

Comments:

 

Signature Page

 

X

Student’s Signature

 

X

Printed Name

 

X

Date

 

The Field Office accepts e-signatures, so feel free to type in your full name and email as your official signature.