A Model for Integrating Research, Practice, and Field Instruction in the Undergraduate Curriculum

In an effort to provide senior undergraduates with a means of integrating their learning across content areas, BSW program faculty have devised a two-semester research assignment for the practice class and co-requisite field placement. This project, done independently, consists of the students' identification of a field agency problem issue, the preparation of a research proposal for studying the problem, the implementation of the project, and a written report of outcomes. Through this process, learning from the research, practice, and field instruction courses is integrated. This paper is a description of the development and implementation of that project, which is also adaptable to MSW programs. Specific benefits to students and field agencies are discussed.