Substance Use and Public Health Practicum

Catalog description

100 Practicum Hours Prerequisites: CRE-103, ENG-090 Description This practicum offers students 100 hours of supervised field experience in substance use-related settings, including community agencies, treatment centers and recovery-focused organizations. Grounded in social work values and public health principles, students engage with individuals and families affected by substance use, with particular attention to opioid addiction, co-occurring disorders and systemic barriers to care. Through this immersive experience, students explore harm reduction theories, apply ethical decision-making and develop practical skills in engagement, documentation and culturally responsive service delivery. The course fosters critical reflection on addiction as both a personal and societal issue. CSWE Required Competencies This course is designed in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). As a specialized field course in the social work curriculum, SOW 118 addresses competencies required for accredited social work programs. The following competencies align with the course learning outcomes and prepare students for continued study and future licensure pathways: Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior Competency 2: Engage Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) in Practice Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism in Practice Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities