A Map for Structuring and Supporting International Social Work Practicum Placements
Literature Review
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) recognizes field education as the signature pedagogy of the social work profession (CSWE, 2008, 2015, 2022). Signature pedagogy is a term used to describe the most influential educational strategies within an area of study (Shulman, 2005). In their Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), the CSWE (2022) defines signature pedagogy as “elements of instruction and socialization that teach future practitioners the fundamental dimensions of professional work in their discipline: to think, to perform, and to act intentionally, ethically, and with integrity” (p. 20). Field education, also known as practicum, refers to courses where students demonstrate mastery of the social work competencies in a professional setting (CSWE, 2008, 2015, 2022). Practicum experiences prepare students for practice and provide context for classroom learning (Brzykcy et al., 2016; Lee et al., 2019; Rai, 2004).
Read more »