Advanced Professional Practice

Subject 196-540 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 37.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus and field practice

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 supervision
Total Time Commitment: Students are expected to devote approximately 28 hours per week to this subject. (500 hours practicum, 500 hours reading and assessment related tasks, total time commitment =1036 hours)
Prerequisites: n/a
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: This subject requires students to actively and safely contribute to field work activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Social Work Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Dr Fiona McDermott
Subject Overview: An individually tailored, advanced professional practicum can be undertaken in a range of selected agencies including the candidate's specialist clinical service or settings in which the social work role involves policy analysis, program development and evaluation. The practicum can be undertaken on a part-time basis concurrent with coursework units or following the completion of the coursework component. Depending on which assessment option was selected, the contents of the portfolio would vary but, in general, would comprise an account of the candidate's practice as a social worker at an advanced level, commensurate with Masters' studies. Candidates must submit a proposal outlining the content of the portfolio and a statement of learning objectives to the subject co-ordinator before commencing work on it. Supervision for the portfolio will be provided by staff in the School with relevant interest and expertise.
Assessment: Either - Practicum of 500 hours in an agency other than the candidate's workplace plus a portfolio of 6000 words or equivalent. The form the 500 hours would take would vary with the setting. (See Departmental Handbook for further details.) Assessment of the practicum would be based on a mark received from the agency supervisor and a school-based supervisor averaged with the mark received for the portfolio OR: Candidates may apply for credit for 500 practicum hours if this is done in their workplace. Assessment would be based on a portfolio of 12,500 words. The portfolio would be assessed in the usual way (see Departmental Handbook for details). Whichever option is chosen, an oral one-hour examination on the portfolio will be conducted before the final result is decided.
Prescribed Texts: n/a
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • demonstrate critical thinking, conceptual and analytical skills;
  • demonstrate sophisticated written communication skills;
  • demonstrate advanced practice reflecting knowledge of the social, ethical and cultural context.
Links to further information: http://www.socialwork.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes:

The disciplines of Nursing and Social Work are now co-managed within the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences. At the time of publication Social Work subjects are under the administrative management of the School of Nursing.

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