Field Practice Criteria: A Valuable Teaching/Learning Tool in Undergraduate Social Work Education

This paper emphasizes the importance of clearly stated criteria that identify and describe the expected performance levels of undergraduate social work students at the termination of their practicum course. These criteria should be an integral part of the fieldwork program and reflect the social work program goals and objectives, the needs of the community social service delivery systems, and the Council on Social Work Education standards on accreditation. They should be a helpful tool to both students and field instructors in assuming mutual responsibilities for learning/teaching and in reaching their respective goals.