Ashley Sears '10, Sisters of the Holy Cross
I did not choose social work, instead social work chose me. Knowing my desires, wants and needs for my future and for the future of others, the only profession could be social work. I have a great aspiration to work with older adults and with my dedication and desire to be able to provide services, advocacy, lend a helping hand, to be a listener and more therefore will help fulfill the contribution of services to individuals in need. It was by chance that social work crossed my path and became nothing less than a perfect fit. Social work can give me the best opportunity to serve the largest growing population by helping enrich adults lives and my own through my work.
Field Education is the integrative component of the Saint Mary's Social Work Program curriculum. This baccalaureate Social Work Program mentors women into career trajectories for leadership in a variety of fields. Many of our students pursue graduate degrees. Careers in social work provide opportunities to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and society. Saint Mary's graduates are pursuing careers in many areas:
Field education involves a supervised internship in the student's senior year. This experience offers a way for students to learn more about their professional interests as they plan their careers. Both regional and national field placements are available.
Regional field placements are done over the course of two semesters in the senior year. In these placements, students are in the field two days per week (usually Tuesday and Thursday). Students earn 6 credit hours each semester. A two credit hour Practicum Seminar is taken concurrently with these placements.
LaQuay Boone | Patricia Luna Individuals and Families in Transition Carrie Zickefoose, BSW |
Natalie Bui | Jennifer McCauslin YWCA Laura Kobek and Ivy Petra, MSW |
Katherine Check | Alysia Porter Hope Ministries Beth Morlock, Abbey Carr, BSW |
Kathryn Doornbos | Mallory Price REAL Services Guardianship Program Leah Schrock and Pam Huffer |
Anna Fodenauer | Mia Ravasio The Salvation Army Thomas Hoff, MSW |
Amy Kendziorski | Sara Ridley Oaklawn Hospital Carrie Miller, MSW |
Lauren Kominkiewicz | Mary Ryan REAL Services - Case Management Leah Schrock and Kim Charles, MSW |
Audrey Leonard | Ashley Sears Sisters of the Holy Cross Kathy Decker-Burrous, MSW |
Katherine Lewis | Autumn Whipple Family Justice Center Katie Jones, MSW |
National field placements require a 3.2 grade point average. They are taken in the senior year using a modified block placement format. During the Fall Semester, students are involved in the field for two clock hours per week. In the Spring Semester, students are in the field 4-5 days per week. Students earn 2 credit hours for the Fall Semester and 10 credit hours for the Spring Semester. A two credit hour Practicum Seminar is taken concurrently with these placements.
A gerontology curriculum module has been integrated into the Practicum Seminar during the Fall Semester. Learning objectives include familiarizing students with the continuum of health and social services for elders. Students visit the area agency on aging to learn about health and social services provided by public funding, a wellness center for elders operated by a health system, and a long-term care facility. In addition, a practitioner from the Alzheimer's Association provides a lecture on working with persons with memory and cognitive impairments, and a social worker who is employed by a women's religious community provides a lecture on medical and social models of elder care.
Field Education Gerontology Consortium | Participating Organizations
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Practitioners from the participating organizations are invited to Saint Mary's College for distance learning programs provided through the American Society on Aging and other professional organizations. These programs are offered in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students are encouraged to attend these programs.
