A Virtual Field Practicum: Building Core Competencies Prior to Agency Placement

ABSTRACT

Providing effective services to clients with increasingly severe challenges in an era of fiscal constraints calls for schools of social work to assume greater responsibility for preparing interns for clinical practice. This article describes a virtual field practicum (VFP), an online skill-building experience designed to meet this need and reports preliminary findings. The VFP employs client simulation and other experiential activities; its intent is to foster student acquisition of core competencies prior to agency placement. Longitudinal data were collected on VFP students and their traditional counterparts across 4 semesters. Results show that VFP students performed as well, if not slightly better, on competency measures than traditional students, suggesting that this model is a viable option for educators to consider.

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Notes on contributors

Elizabeth S. Phillips

Elizabeth S. Phillips, PhD, LCSW, is Assistant Dean of Faculty Development, Clinical Associate Professor, Field Education, at Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California. Gary J. Wood, PhD, LCSW, is an Independent Consultant. Jane Yoo, PhD, MSW, is Partner, and Kristin J. Ward, PhD, is Founding Partner at Clarus Research. Suh Chen Hsiao, DPPD, MSW, MA, ACSW, PPSC, LCSW, is Clinical Associate Professor, Assistant Dean, Field Education,

Melissa I. Singh

Melissa I. Singh, EdD, LCSW, MS-HSA, is Clinical Associate Professor, and

Brittani Morris

Brittani Morris, LCSW, is Clinical Assistant Professor, at Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California.