Wheelock College – Field Practicum
Learning contract & evaluation: MSW Concentration Year
The purpose of this document is to: 1) establish activities that will help students develop and apply the MSW program’s advanced practice
behaviors; and 2) evaluate the student’s advanced social work practice. It is designed to serve as both the Learning Contract and Semester End
Evaluation.
 The Learning Contract (Activities and Measurement/Methods) is to be completed by the Student and Field Instructor during the first
weeks of placement and submitted to the Faculty Field Liaison.

The Semester I Evaluation portion is to be completed by the Student and Field Instructor at the end of the 1st semester and submitted to
the Faculty Field Liaison.

The Semester II Evaluation portion is to be completed by the Faculty Field Liaison in a collaborative manner with the Student and Field
Instructor.
□ Semester I
□ Semester II
Print Student Name
Placement Site
Print MSW Field Instructor Name
Placement Address
Phone
Field Placement Days & Hours
Email
Print Agency Supervisor Name
Print Faculty Field Liaison Name
Phone
Email
Day and time of weekly supervision and other learning opportunities:
Describe agency safety plan as discussed with student:
□ Check if internship follows a school year calendar or alternate start or end dates.
Start and end dates are:______________________
Learning Contract REFERENCE KEY
Advanced Practice
Behavior
Learning Activities &
Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods
for Learning
How core competency is
behaviorally
operationalized. Behavior
student is expected to learn.
Agency specific opportunities
that will allow student to learn
and refine advanced practice
behaviors:
 student assignments
 tasks
 project plans
 learning experiences
How learning activities will be
monitored, evaluated. Examples:
 process recordings review
 exploration in supervision
 supervisor observation
 participation in meetings
 Field Instructor review of
student documentation
 Role plays during supervision
Evaluation Scale
(not applicable for Learning Contract
development)
EVALUATION Scale REFERENCE KEY
The following categories are based on a multidimensional framework for assessing the student’s competence which takes into account the following
dimensions of performance: consistency; quality; level of independence; time needed to accomplish tasks; steady progress; integration of knowledge,
values and skills; ability to transfer learning from one activity another. Each of the specific practice behaviors should be evaluated using the
competency rating scale. Please provide examples under the “evaluation comments” section. This scale was crafted through NECON (New England
Consortium of Graduate Social Work Field Education Directors).
UP = Unacceptable Progress: Never demonstrates awareness, knowledge and skills as a social work intern
PC = Pre-Competence: Rarely demonstrates and integrates, values, knowledge and skills; needs constant supervision; quality of work is uneven; tasks
are not completed in reasonable time; knowledge/skills not transferred from one assignment to another; progress uncertain
EC = Emerging Competence: Beginning to demonstrate or inconsistently demonstrates values, knowledge and skills; integrates and applies learning
from one activity to another inconsistently or inappropriately some of the time; progressing towards effective use of supervision; learning is becoming
more efficient; progress is evident and moving in a positive direction
C = Competence: Consistently demonstrates and integrates values, knowledge and skills with sufficient mastery and independence; uses supervision
for consultation appropriately, appropriately applies learning form one activity to another; uses time well to accomplish tasks and assignments; ready
to move to advanced placement or beginning practitioner level
AC = Advanced Competence: Always demonstrates, integrates and applies values, knowledge and skills in all activities independently and
exceptionally well. Uses consultation appropriately; performs activities in a timely and efficient manner; able to teach others. (* NOTE: If applicable,
only to be utilized during final semester)
After successfully attaining the Practice Behaviors in the Foundation Year, students should be able to apply Advanced
Practice Behaviors that further actualize the Social Work Core Competencies. The Advanced Practice Behaviors are:
Competency #1. Professional Identity
Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Demonstrates integration of self-reflection
and self-care, applied differential use of
self, and growth through use of supervision
and consultation in service of the
development of a professional social work
identity that is action-oriented, strengths and
justice based, and progressively taking a
leadership stance in all professional settings.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #2. ETHICAL PRACTICE
Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Demonstrate the capacity to analyze
complex individual, family, group,
organizational, and community issues
and solutions that directly apply to
social work ethics, reasoning, and
practice principles that advance human
rights and social and economic justice.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #3. CRITICAL THINKING
Apply CRITICAL THINKING TO INFORM AND COMMUNICATE PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENTS
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Apply principles of logic, scientific
inquiry, and reasoning discernment.
Critical thinking also requires the
synthesis and communication of
relevant information. Utilize critical
thinking augmented by creativity,
curiosity, and continual professional
development.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #4. Diversity in practice
Engage diversity and differences in practice
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Develop an increasingly explicit and
integrated approach to global human
diversity applying an intersectional
analysis to the evaluation and
articulation of the effects of power and
privilege, including one’s own location
in these dynamics.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #5. Human rights & justice
advance human rights and social and economic justice
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Design, analyze, strategize, and
advocate with client systems on behalf
of the human rights of individuals and
groups whose lived experiences and
sociocultural memberships represent
varying degrees of power, privilege,
and oppression.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #6. Research based practice
Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed Research
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Access, assess, apply, & evaluate
research findings to inform justicebased practice with children and
families.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #7. Human behavior
Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Critically evaluate and apply human
behavior and the social environment
theories in justice-based,
multiculturally responsible ways to
promote social change.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #8. Policy practice
ENGAGE IN POLICY PRACTICE TO ADVANCE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING TO DELiVER
EFFECTIVE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Demonstrate the ability to take a
leadership role in effective
collaboration in the design,
implementation, and evaluation of a
policy practice that advances human
rights and social justice.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #9. Practice Contexts
Respond to contexts that shape practice
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Utilize emerging scientific and
technological developments and societal
trends to provide optimal services as
part of an ecosystemic and justice based
approach in all areas of practice and to
support professional development and
life-long learning.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Competency #10. Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate
Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations
and communities
ADVANCED
Practice Behavior
Demonstrate the advanced ability to
synthesize social work knowledge,
skills, and values, and use of self to
plan, implement, and critically evaluate
practice and collaboration with diverse
individuals, families, and larger
systems.
Learning Activities & Responsibilities
Measurements/Methods for
Learning
Evaluation Comments
Examples used to support evaluation scale ratings of advanced practice behaviors:
Evaluation
Semester I
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
Evaluation
Semester II
□ UP
□ PC
□ EC
□ C
□ AC *
Field Instructor’s overall evaluation of the student’s performance:
Professional growth and development goals for next semester:
Student comments on strengths and areas for improvement:
Learning Contract Signatures:
Student Signature:
Date:
Print Field Instructor Name:
Field Instructor Signature:
Date:
Print Faculty Field Liaison Name:
Faculty Field Liaison Signature:
Date:
Print Student Name:
Print Student Name:
Semester I Evaluation Signatures:
Student Signature:
Date:
Print Field Instructor Name:
Field Instructor Signature:
Date:
Print Faculty Field Liaison Name:
Faculty Field Liaison Signature:
Date:
It is the responsibility of each student to keep a copy of their Learning Contract(s) and Evaluation(s) for their records.