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Social Work, MSW Program Practicum Handbook

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Introduction 

Welcome to Stockton University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Education Program. As part of the social work curriculum, practicum education provides important learning experiences for students to integrate classroom learning with applied experiences within human service agencies.

Practicum placements are therefore necessary to achieve MSW program curriculum learning outcomes. Through partnerships with students, human service agencies, and the Social Work Program, practicum placements are developed to enhance professional growth and competencies that better serve an increasingly diverse community of service providers and consumers.

This Practicum Education Manual has been developed to help students and practicum instructors understand practicum education policies and procedures. It should be read for a thorough understanding of the practicum education component and used as a reference throughout the student’s experience. Forms used by those involved with practicum education are also included. These forms are resident in the new Exxat content management system which will be utilized by the MSW Practicum Program beginning with the Fall 2025 semester.

This manual includes information regarding expectations involved in acquiring practice competencies and completing practicum placement experiences. It includes updated practicum education information and links to other pertinent sites such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (click to access the Code of Ethics). All partners in the MSW Program work together to offer students a challenging and rewarding practicum experience that enhances professional development. 

Nomenclature

MSW Practicum Education Program: The overall program that oversees practicum education for the MSW Program.

Coordinator of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Education: The full-time staff person responsible for developing and coordinating practicum placements, making practicum site visits, and managing issues that emerge among partners in the practicum education experience.

Assistant Coordinator of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Education: The staff person responsible for making practicum site visits and for assisting the Practicum Education Coordinator with placements and issues or concerns with the practicum education experience.

Practicum Instructor/Supervisor: The practicum agency-based instructor for the student on site; this person develops the learning contract with students, supervises, and evaluates student performance. MSW Practicum Instructors must possess an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program and have completed at least 2 years of relevant professional practice experience post-MSW degree.

Task Supervisor: A practicum agency-based instructor for the student on site who does not possess the required MSW degree and/or years of practice experience to assume the role of Practicum Instructor but is otherwise qualified to oversee a student’s practicum tasks and assignments. Task supervisors may oversee the day-to-day work of the student at the practicum site/agency, while a separate, qualified professional assumes the role of Practicum Instructor to provide the required minimum 1-hour of weekly MSW practicum supervision.

Practicum Agency/Site: The human service agency or other appropriate site that has entered into a partnership with the MSW Program and has agreed to provide a learning experience and practicum site instruction services to the student on site that meet program standards.

Practicum Placement: The learning opportunity or internship that exists within a practicum agency environment. 

Stockton University

Stockton University is a coeducational, undergraduate and graduate university of arts, sciences, and professional studies. Stockton is the southernmost and the youngest member in New Jersey's state-wide, state-supported system of higher education. Administratively, there are seven major academic units (Schools): Arts and Humanities (ARHU), Business (BUSN), Education (EDUC), Health Sciences (HLTH), Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NAMS), Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBL), and General Studies (GENS).

Accreditation

Stockton University's Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Program was initially accredited in 2012, retroactive to 2009. Its accreditation was reaffirmed in 2024 through October 2032.

Faculty

  • Robert J. Barney, Associate Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D. (University of Louisville), MSW (University of Kentucky), B.A. (Asbury University). International social work, family and community development, cultural competence, HIV/AIDS, research practice, human rights, disasters.

  • Guia Calicdan-Apostle, Associate Professor of Social Work

    DSW (University of Pennsylvania), MSW (Asian Social Institute, Philippines), BSW (Philippine Women's University). Clinical social work practice, cultural competence, spirituality in mental health, public health intervention and advocacy (tobacco control), race, ethnicity, and diversity issues.

  • Zan Haggerty, Assistant Professor of Social Work

    DSW (Rutgers University), LCSW. Anti-oppressive clinical practice, identity affirming mental and medical health, group-based program development, emerging adult mental health, and chronic suicidality. 

  • Robin Hernandez-Mekonnen, MSW Program Chair, Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D., MSW (University of Pennsylvania), B.A. (University of Wisconsin-Madison). Social work with children and families, impacting social and child welfare system reform via research and policy, immigration, trauma, abolition, childhood adversity, child well-being, and mixed-methods research.

  • Loretta Mooney, Associate Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D. (Widener University), MSW (University of Maryland at Baltimore), BSW (LaSalle University). Suicidology, mental health management and recovery, civil commitment and coercive practices, support for psychological pain. 

  • Simone Snyder, Teaching Specialist

    DSW, MSW (Rutgers University), BA, (New York University). Power-Based Violence, Birth and Reproductive Justice, Obstetric Violence, Maternal Health Disparities, Radical Social Work, Diversity, Oppression and Anti-Racism, Social Justice and Human Rights, Interpersonal Violence and Social Change, Birth and Reproductive Justice, Community Organizing.

     

  • Ian Zapcic, Assistant Professor of Social Work

    Ph.D. (The Ohio State University), MSW (Rutgers University), BA (Ramapo College). Internet technologies and social work, macro-level social work and policy practice, relationship and dating violence, online identity development.

Professor Emeritus

  • Diane S. Falk, Professor Emeritus of Social Work

    Ph.D. (Rutgers University), MSW (University of Pennsylvania), M.A., (University of Chicago), LCSW Social work practice, program development and administration, child welfare, mental health practice and policy, human rights, international social work. 

Professional Staff

  • Jeffrey A. Feldman, Coordinator of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Education

    MSW (Rutgers University), B.S., (University of New Hampshire), LSW. Diverse populations, methods of practicum education, policy and legislation, advocacy, social work ethics.

  • Dawn M. Konrady-Fanslau Director, Child Welfare Education Institute

    EdD (Drexel University), MSW (Stockton University), MBA (Stockton University), MA (La Salle University), BS (Susquehanna University) Social work with children and families, impacting social and child welfare system reform via training, continuing education, professional development.

  • Lori Tomaro, Assistant Coordinator of Social Work (MSW) Practicum Education

    MSW(Monmouth University),BSW(Stockton University),LCSW. Child abuse and neglect; impact of infant/childhood relationship traumas and their influence on parenting behaviors; diverse populations; therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families.