Social studies: Field placement for foreign students (USVP75)

The Department of Social Studies at the University of Stavanger (UiS) offers two bachelor's programmes in the area of social work: child welfare officer and social worker education. The department accepts trainee students from other countries that offer a similar education to those provided in these two areas. Work experience in the relevant area is an important part of social worker education. Gaining experience and reflecting on practical professional work should be included in initiatives in which thinking and work methods in social studies are central.


Course description for study year 2023-2024. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

USVP75

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

30

Semester tution start

Spring, Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring, Autumn

Language of instruction

English, Norwegian

Offered by

Content

There will be a total of 600 hours of professional practice over a minimum of 18 weeks. Professional practice should ideally be completed in Rogaland. In special cases, professional practice placements in neighboring counties may be considered. Incoming students apply via standard international admission procedures after the department has received a request to take trainee students.
  1. Spring semester: Participation in group guidance with the university’s own students. Individual guidance, tasks, and literature adapted for the individual area of practice.
  2. Autumn semester: Participation at the orientation week for international students. Individual guidance, tasks, and literature adapted for the individual area of practice.

Learning outcome

During and after completion of the practical semester, the student shall, with regard to

Knowledge

  • Be able to document basic knowledge and have an understanding of the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical social work/ socio-pedagogical work.
  • Be able to demonstrate knowledge of current social and welfare policies and legal provisions relating to organizations in the practical setting
  • Be able to give an account of knowledge and professional insight gained through co-operation with experienced practitioners
  • Be able to document knowledge about professional judgment on decisions concerning interventions
  • Be able to demonstrate knowledge on supervision theory

Skills

  • Be able to apply professional knowledge and relevant experience from the practical setting as the basis for making deliberate and informed decisions concerning professional practice
  • Be able to analyze the service user's situation
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate own and others' professional practice
  • Be able to incorporate feedback from supervision and adjust one`s conduct and professional practice accordingly
  • Demonstrate good communication and relational skills when interacting with service users and with other professionals
  • Be able to work independently and in groups on challenging complex and extensive problems

General competencies

  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of professional ethics that underpin social work practice
  • Demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to utilize the expertise of other professional groups
  • Demonstrate an analytical, critical and reflective approach to own and others' professional practice

Required prerequisite knowledge

Applicants must be approved by their own educational institution, and students who have completed three semesters at their home institution will be prioritized.

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Practical placement 1/1 Passed / Not Passed All

The fieldwork supervisor (on-site) will do a continuous evaluation of the students’ efforts and will write up the final evaluation by the end of the placement, marked as pass/fail.

Coursework requirements

Learning plan, Placement report 1, Placement report 2

All coursework requirements (3) must be approved before the final evaluation of the field placement

Learning plan: Write up a learning plan detailing the students` learning goals during the practice placement.

Placement report 1: Word count: 2,000 words (+/- 10 %).

Placement report 2: Word count: 3,000 words (+/- 10 %).

More detailed information on the text requirements will be sent to the students at the beginning of their placement.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Heidi Lie Eriksen

Placement coordinator:

Ingunn Øyre

Method of work

There will be 600 hours of professional practice over a minimum of 18 weeks. All students will receive up to two hours of supervision every week from their on-site supervisor at their placement organization.

Open for

Exchange students who speak a scandinavian language

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course coordinator, the student representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto