Welcome to the University of

Connecticut School of Social Work

Advanced Standing Orientation April 22, 2017

Purpose of Orientation

• To familiarize students with

• MSW Curriculum & Requirements

• Expectations of the School

• Available resources

Expectations of a Graduate Student

• Engagement – The School provides many amazing opportunities to enhance your educational experience. Take advantage and engage with faculty, staff and your fellow students. Lead, join, experience …

• Communication – Check your UConn email account frequently and respond as needed. Return phone calls in a timely manner and allow for messages to be left on your phone.

• Academics - You must maintain a B or better in every course and maintain an overall cum GPA of 3.0 in every semester otherwise it will jeopardize your academic status and conferral of your degree.

• Advocacy – Be proactive and seek out the necessary information and resources to help you succeed in the program, i.e. advisor, staff, website.

MSW Program Curriculum

Do You Plan to Work?

Advanced Standing Credit

CSWK & GRWK Summary

Summer Session Requirements

Advanced Concentration Course 3 crs.

Skills Laboratory 1 cr.

Special Populations Course 1 cr

5 crs.

Fall and Spring Semester Requirements

(3) Advanced Concentration Courses 9 crs.

Additional Research Course 2 crs.

Advanced Field Education 8 crs.

Advanced Field Advising Seminar 1 cr.

(3) Electives 9 crs.

29 crs.

Total Credits 34

Advanced Standing Credit

CORG & POPR Summary

Summer Session Requirements

Advanced Concentration Course 3 crs.

Skills Laboratory 1 cr.

Special Populations Course 1 cr

5 crs.

Fall and Spring Semester Requirements

(4) Advanced Concentration Courses 12 crs.

Additional Research Course 2 crs.

Advanced Field Education 8 crs.

Advanced Field Advising Seminar 1 cr.

(3) Electives 6 crs.

29 crs.

Total Credits 34

Summer Session for

Advanced Standing

Concentration Course 5301 3 CreditsCSWK, GRWK (CORG & POPR)

Skills Lab 5340 1 CreditCSWK, GRWK (CORG & POPR)

BASC 5301 1 CreditSpecial Populations

Total 5 Credits

If you decide to withdraw from the program after registering, considerdoing so before July 14th. Otherwise you will be responsible for apaying a portion of the tuition and fees if you withdraw after July 14th

Electives

• To enroll in an elective of interest when it is offered, some

electives are offered once a year and some every other year.*

• Organize your electives around a Focused Areas of Study. A

Focused Area of Study is optional and not required.

• Elective requirements

• IGF - Nine credits are required

• CORG and POPR - Six credits are required

*Some courses may be canceled two weeks before the beginning of classes if there is not

sufficient enrollment. Please have alternative classes in mind.

Focused Areas of Study

Students have the option to organize two electives in one of

the following areas:

• Violence Prevention in Families & Communities

• Diverse Populations

• Urban Issues

• Integrated Behavioral Health/Mental Health and Wellness

• Global Issues

These focused areas will be finalized soon as they were part of

the revision of the curriculum.

Focused Areas of Study

Requirements

Consists of:

• A year-long field placement in a field of practice relevant to

the Focused Area of Study, and

• 6 elective credits

• The requirements of each area will be specified soon

Students will be notified when the Focused Areas of Study are ready

for review.

Non-Degree Program

• Consider enrolling in summer course/courses such as BASC 5362 to lighten your course load before starting in the fall

• Summer session is from June 12, 2017 – July 14, 2017 and registration is now open

• A maximum of 6 credits may be taken for the summer

• All grades earned of B (not B-) or higher will be transferred to the student’s record

• A maximum of 15 credits can be transferred to a student’s graduate record

• For detailed information go to http://ssw.uconn.edu/our-programs/non-degree-program/

Field Education Overview

Field Education as the

Signature Pedagogy

• Largest curriculum unit; 18 credits

• MSW’s serve as field instructors and

role models.

• Transferable Skills

Purpose of Field Education

Field Education gives students the opportunity

to:

• Apply theory to practice

• Observe professional social workers in action

• Learn and practice transferrable skills

• Be a learner and reflect on use of self

Field Placement Process

• Field Placement Staff

• will identify appropriate

placements and

• will contact you with Field

Instructor name and phone

number

Field Education

DepartmentStudent

• Complete and submit your Field Education Information Form along with current resume

• Student will call Field Instructor immediately to schedule an interview

• Student will call Field Office within a week of the interview

If we do not hear from you, but the field instructor agrees to

the placement, the field placement will be confirmed.

Field Education Structures

• Field Education Forms are due TODAY.

• Concurrent placement

• 20 hours per week (3 full days) from Sept. to April or

• 15 hours per week (2 full days) from Sept. to June

School placements prefer 15 hours per week

• At least 8 hours must be during normal business hours i.e 8am-5pm.

17

How will I fit 15 to 20 hours per

week into my busy schedule?

• You must have a plan in place to accommodate the

15 to 20 hours per week of field education

• Flex time?

• Educational Leave?

• Vacation time?

Micro Method Requirement

for Macro Students

• If your field placement cannot offer you the

opportunity for direct service (Casework or

Group Work), you will attend a Skills Lab

offered at the School.

• Skills Lab is currently offered on Saturdays only.

Process Recordings

• Purpose and value: Educational tool

• CSWK/GRWK students submit one process recording weekly

• Macro students as assigned

• If process recordings or Monthly Activity Reports are not handed in; students will receive a grade of “I” (incomplete)

• Students cannot move forward in their program with an “I” grade

Professional Expectations

• You are expected to act professionally in field, classroom and all school interactions

• Wear “business casual” attire(no logos, leggings, sneakers)

• Call in if you are going to be late or if you cannot attend-give proper notice

• Regularly check your UConn emails from field instructor, faculty advisor and School

• Recognize the implications of your behavior; your absence or tardiness affects others including clients and colleagues.

Competency 1: Intern identifies as a

professional social worker & conducts

him/herself accordingly

• MSW students are evaluated on Comp. #1 in the

field, classroom, during seminar and any School

contact.

• Comp. #1 includes dress, demeanor, language and

accountability

• Comp. #1 includes self reflection and self

corrections

Preparing for the Interview

• Visit agency website

• Dress appropriately (business attire)

• Bring your current resume

• Have prepared questions pertaining to:

• Orientation provided to interns

• Possible assignments

• Supervision

• Available trainings

• Agency Requirements4/23/2017

23

Agency Requirements

• Agencies may require students to attend on certain days:

• Clinical Rounds/presentations

• Multi-disciplinary meetings

• Staff meetings

• Board Meetings

• Field hours should coincide with field instructor’s schedule and client needs

• You may work with populations you are not comfortable serving.

Agency Requirements

• Some agencies will take only second year students

• Agencies like Hospitals, Child Guidance Clinics, DCF, Correctional Facilities, may

require:

• Background checks including finger printing

• Medical documentation & physicals

• Resumes and references

• Writing samples

• DMV checks

• Scheduled orientations

• Attend trainings prior to start date

• Intern in attendance with field instructor is in the agency

• If you have any issues with these, please discuss with us in advance

4/23/201725

Background Checks

• If you have something in your background, please have a conversation with the placement person working with you prior to Field contacting agencies.

• Even if you have been vetted previously by someone else, ie. Previous employment, schools, etc.

• If you have something in a background check it may preclude you from getting licensed in the future.

• Background checks are not covered by the agency; it is the student’s responsibility.

American Data Bank (ADB)

• University Contracted vendor for clinical placements

• Completes the Background checks

• Monitors Health documentation

• Contract between ADB and student

• Confidential Record keeping

• Only certain personnel can see if student is

compliant

ADB continued

• If field placement requires a background check:

• The agency may take care of the process or

• You may be required to complete the background

check on your own (Police Department) or

• You can use American Data Bank

Field Advising Seminar

• 2 hour group meeting with faculty advisor & peers

• Focused on field learning

• Meets 4 times per academic year – refer to academic/field calendar

• September, November, January and March

• Receive 1 credit per academic year, earned during spring semester

• Faculty advisors will be assigned in August and will be posted

• Seminar attendance is mandatory

Faculty Advisors

• Purpose of faculty advising is to:

• Help students make maximum use of their educational experience

• Provide academic guidance

• Act as Liaison between the School and the agency

• Accessible to students throughout the year by email or telephone

Faculty Advisors

• The current advisor of record Dr. Ann Marie Garran will remain until your new advisor is assigned in August.

• Until your new advisor is assigned; please direct all communications to the Office of Student & Academic Affairs or Field Education depending on your questions.

• Assigned Faculty Advisors may be full time faculty or adjunct faculty.

• You will receive additional information in August with additional steps related to your faculty advisor assignment.

Field Education

• To check the status of your field education placement forms, contact Nancy Urcinas at: nancy.urcinas@uconn.edu

• Link to the Field Education Manual and calendar

http://ssw.uconn.edu/field-education-2/ (Overview of Field pp.5-34; Appendix section 97-113)

• Link to Field Education forms http://ssw.uconn.edu/field-education-2/field-education-forms/

Urban Services Track

• Urban Service Track (UST), is an interprofessionaleducational program to identify, train, and support studentsinterested in healthcare and committed to providing care to theurban underserved patient populations. Urban Service Track is acollaboration between the Connecticut Area Health EducationCenter and the UConn Schools of Dentistry, Medicine,Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work as well as QuinnipiacUniversity’s Physician’s Assistant Program. InterprofessionalEducation (IPE) is an approach to teaching and learning to helpstudents from different professions develop and enhancecapacities for effective collaboration so as to improve healthoutcomes. (WHO 2010).

School Community

Graduate Student Organization

The University of Connecticut School of Social WorkGraduate Student Organization exists to create andstrengthen a beneficial environment for its members,matriculated students. The GSO observes and celebratesdiversity in all forms through educational and socialprograms, community service projects and advocacyopportunities. In accordance with the UConn School ofSocial Work’s mission, our organization’s function is toaugment the students’ academic experience. In pursuit ofthis mission, GSO models its conduct in accordance with theNational Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Student Requirements

Summer Registration

Wednesday, May 3rd at 10 am

• Student self-register through their Student Administration account at http://studentadmin.uconn.edu/

• Before the first day of registration, be sure to review the summer schedule http://ssw.uconn.edu/students/schedules/ to ensure you register for the right courses

• If you decide to withdraw from the program after registering, consider doing so before July 14th. Otherwise you will be responsible for a paying a portion of the charges if you registered for classes.

Fall Registration

Wednesday, June 14th at 10 am

• Student self-register through their Student Administration account at http://studentadmin.uconn.edu/

• Before the first day of registration, review the registration tips handout in your folder

• If you decide to withdraw from the program after registering, consider doing so before August 28th. Otherwise you will be responsible for a paying a portion of the charges if you are registered for classes.

Requirements of Incoming Students

• Advising Session

• Not Anymore Training – Complete by May 31st

• Submit Immunizations/Vaccination Records to Storrs Student Health Services

• Access to computer and programs

• Attend Convocation on Joining our SSW Just Community

• Transcripts

• Send official transcript to Grad School in order to register for Summer and Fall

• Those currently finishing courses - you will also need to send an official transcript after your degree is conferred in order to register for Spring 2018

University Resources

• Bursar

• Financial Aid

• Health Information (Vaccination Record Required)

• GSO Greater Hartford Resources – Includes housing resources

• Parking Services (Student Permit Registration begins July 1st)

Student Supports

• Career Services

• Disability Services

• Graduate Student Organization

• Office of Student & Academic Services

• Hartford Campus Library

• Sexual Violence Awareness

• UConn Bookstore

• Writing Assistance

Technology Supports

• Computer Center

• Microsoft/Windows Software for Students

• New Student Technology Training

Student email – Google Apps@UConn

• Official UConn student email system – all students have an account

• We will communicate to you after orientation by email only using your uconn email address, please be sure to activate it before then

• Vital information is sent regarding financial aid, field education, registration, events, etc.

• Regularly check your account and delete messages as necessary.

• You may forward this account to your personal email account.

Moving to Downtown Hartford

May 2017

• Hartford Campus

• Communication beginning May 9th is by email only.

Please email OSAS for assistance at

sswstudentservices@uconn.edu until the relocation is

complete.

• OSAS will inform students by email once phone

numbers are available.

Q&A