Social Work Internship in Public Housing: An Interdisciplinary Experience

Abstract

A prior experience with a community organization fieldwork unit in public housing ensured the School of Social Work's participation in a federally sponsored demonstration project. A social work internship in public housing provided an opportunity for change in the nature of student tasks and the environment for field experience. Principles shaping the focus and content of the internship included: an interdisciplinary framework providing for faculty and student development from the Schools of Public Health, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, and Social Work; and total responsibility for task assignment, which afforded students an opportunity to organize and develop major programs.