MSW Student Learning Agreement

MSW Student 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.

Check tips on how to do your Social Work Assignment.

Learning Objectives: The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires students gain competency in nine (9) areas of social work practice.  These areas of practice are defined as core competencies of the profession.  Each core competency requires particular 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.  Students provide specific examples of how the practice behaviors are to be demonstrated throughout the internship.  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.

Check tips on how to do your Social Work Assignment.

MSW Student Learning Agreement

Instructions

Negotiating the Agreement: The learning agreement is one of the first tasks completed at the internship. A draft of 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.  This is a fluid document and should be reviewed and updated throughout the internship.  At the end of the internship, the learning agreement can serve as a comprehensive summary of what the student has learned and demonstrated.

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

MSW Student Learning Agreement

Section Descriptions:

Expected Behaviors – the expected behaviors are those that are identified by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).  These behaviors should be demonstrated by students during the term of the field placement/internship.  Students will be evaluated using these expected behaviors.  Do not modify/change this column.

Agency Activities-These are examples of particular activities that students can do at the agency to demonstrate the expected behaviors.  Most of these are general to all settings. However, agencies vary in services, engagement, assessment, planning intervention, and  evaluation methods.  Your agency has been vetted and approved for all nine (9) competency opportunities. Examples can be found on the resource guide as well as in job descriptions, and field instructor resumes.  You will list “how you will demonstrate you are competent in the expected behaviors in the first column?”

MSW Student Learning Agreement

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. Do not modify/change this column

How to Complete the Form:

• By week 4, students should complete all student designated sections on the learning agreement and discuss it with their supervisor/instructor.

Note: This is a comprehensive contract between you and your field instructor.  It will take considerable time and intentional effort to complete. Do not wait until the last minute to begin this process.

• 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)
• After the faculty liaison reviews and signs the agreement, the student and instructor should sign it.
• After the agreement has been signed, the student will upload it to Meditrek.