Social work students gain practical experience in the community

During the Spring 2016 semester, Liberty University students enrolled in the new Bachelor of Science in Social Work had the opportunity to complete their junior field experience at a variety of area locations.

Housed under the School of Behavioral Sciences, the degree launched residentially during the Fall 2015 semester and became available online at the beginning of the Spring 2016 semester. The program trains students for careers with immigration and refugee resettlement agencies, human trafficking organizations, adult protective services, adoption agencies, hospices, hospitals, nursing homes, mental health clinics, schools, and child and family services.

Students worked at local agencies, including Horizon Behavioral Health, LynCAG Head Start program, Bedford Victim Witness Assistance Program, Bedford Department of Social Services Family Services Unit, Lynchburg Department of Human Services Adult Services Unit, and Miriam’s House, a shelter for homeless women.

The program requires students to complete two field experiences: a 100-hour junior field experience and a 400-hour senior field experience. Students also concurrently participate in a weekly field seminar course, which offers the opportunity for them to process their field experiences and engage in further learning. Students have the opportunity to participate in field experiences domestically and abroad in countries such as Uganda and Australia.

“The placements give students more experience to apply the concepts they learn in the classroom in a social work field setting,” said Dr. Raquel Ellis, director of social work field education.

From the beginning of the program, students gain practical experience. Introductory courses include visits to various community settings as well as presentations from local social workers. Students also spend a full work week observing a professional social worker at their place of work.

“These courses help students to recognize the diversity of practice settings in the social work field and help them to better assess whether this field is where God is leading them,” Ellis said.

Rising senior Dominique Rawlins completed her junior field placement at LynCAG Head Start program.

“I wanted to work with preschool-aged children, because I wanted to see where behavioral issues start,” said Rawlins, who has a passion to work with at-risk youth when she graduates. “I wanted to learn more ways to intervene before some of them become at-risk teenagers. It has been a really great experience as far as diving in and providing me hands-on learning.”

Ellis said the field placements allow Liberty students to support the important work of social workers in the community.

“Our students are able to not only observe experienced social workers in action but engage clients while assessing their needs, support the development of intervention plans, provide supportive counseling, and co-facilitate groups,” she said. “Given the glowing student evaluations that we received from our field instructors, I would say that our students not only made a positive impact on clients but also left a positive impression on the agency staff about our new social work program.”

• Over one-third of Liberty students are pursuing health-related degrees. Read more in the Liberty Journal.