Explanation of the Student Learning Plan
The student learning plan provides a broad framework for developing an individualized learning plan which
is responsive to the needs of the student and the resources of the field agency. It is designed to give direction
and learning structure to the field experience and is developed around the core practice competencies that
are designated in the 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) by the Council on
Social Work Education (CSWE).
CSWE has operationalized these competencies by identifying 31 practice behaviors defined as “a set of
measurable practice behaviors that are comprised of knowledge, value and skills.” The internship plays a
key role in teaching practice behaviors to students while measuring and reflecting the student’s ability to
demonstrate capacity in the ten core competency areas identified by CSWE.
List of Nine Core Competencies Identified by CSWE
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Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
Engage in Policy Practice
Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
It is the joint responsibility of the student and field instructor to negotiate the learning plan content within the
first weeks of the field placement. The student is responsible for submitting providing a copy of the Learning
Plan to the Field Office via Blackboard by the assigned due date stated in the Field Calendar. We ask that
during the next three weeks Field Instructors and students begin to select tasks/activities that will be completed
during the student’s 510 hour fieldwork. The field instructor and student can add and delete tasks/activities that
will or will not be completed and that are specific to this particular internship. Consider this a living kind of
document, which is open to revision, if needed. This agreement will be utilized by the Field Liaison when
conducting the site visit.
Directions to complete the Student Learning Plan: For each Competency and Practice Behavior, in the space
provided, state the agency learning task or activity which will give the student experience to learn a practice
behavior. State how you will see the evidence that the learning has been accomplished. Using the accompanying
document “Example of Student Tasks and Activities in the Student Learning Plan” you can select from the
examples and/or provide your own but include at least 2 tasks or activities per competency that students will be
engaged in over the course of their 510 hours of fieldwork.
A sample learning plan as well as a list of sample tasks/activities is included to assist students and field
instructors in developing appropriate tasks. Please refer to the Field Education Website or contact your field
liaison if you have additional questions.