Planning and Orientation
for
Practicum in Gerontology
(Gero 700A/B) Courses
August 2012 Edition
Applicable for:
Gerontology Graduate Students only
Steps in Identifying and Confirming Your
Practicum for Gero 700A or B Course
1. Student Gero Practicum Course Eligibility
2. Practicum Planning Timelines
3. Practicum Planning Selection and Decision4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Making Process for Agency internship
Interview Preparation and Process
Practicum Confirmation
Semester Schedules & Gero 700
Planning/Preparation
Gero 700 Course Requirements & Expectations
Contact information
References
1. Course Eligibility for Gero 700 A/B





Schedule an appointment with your Graduate Advisor, Dr
Lucinda Rasmussen to ensure Gero 700A/B Course
eligibility.
Must have completed first year graduate courses.
Completed and passed the Gerontology courses: Gero
501; 605; 690; 632; 520; 610.
Must have a minimum SDSU campus overall of 3.0 GPA
and be in good academic standing.
Practicum in Gerontology Curriculum (SDSU General
Catalog & School Web site):
◦ Passing Agency Interview & Confirmation (incl. agency
screening processes)
2. Practicum Planning - Timeline Planning
Students: Please plan on identifying , selecting,
interviewing, and obtaining agency confirmation five
–six months before enrolling in the Gero 700
Practicum Course.
 Begin Practicum Process in Jan./Feb. for Gero
700 in Summer Semester
 Begin Practicum Process in Feb./March for Gero
700 in Fall Semester
 Begin Practicum Process in Sept. for Gero 700
in Spring Semester
Practicum Planning Process –
Why Begin Planning Now?
1.
2.
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
3.
4.
Other professional disciplines engaging in same process for
internships at the same time.
Agency Practicum Confirmation will take several months for:
Reviewing Gero Agency Practicum Lists;
Identifying potential agency interests.
Attending the current SDSU School of Social
Work/Gerontology Agency Fair (held January or February
each year)
Selecting an agency
Preparing self for professional interview (resume, references)
Agency interview, confirmation, scheduling and completing
additional Agency Screenings.
Ensure student eligibility for course.
3. Practicum Selection & Decision-Making Process
Steps to Follow:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Attend Gero Orientation & Planning Mtg. (if scheduled)
Review School-approved Gero Agency Practicum Sites List*
(latest edition).
Attend current SDSU SSW Agency Fair – Jan. or Feb. each
year (refer to SSW Field Edu Calendar for dates)
Consult with fellow Gero colleagues regarding their prior
practicum experiences (via email in GSA and Comm. Central)
Consultation with Gero Faculty, Director of Field Education,
Practicum Site supervisors, or Gero 700 A/B Course
instructor.
Schedule and interview(s) with Agency.
Obtain confirmation by Agency Site Supervisor.
Schedule and complete additional Agency Screenings ASAP.
Keep informed and updated regarding GERO Practicum /
Announcements, etc.
*Note:
 Each School-Approved Gerontology
Practicum site is in compliance with the
SDSU University Materials required.
◦ Agency Site Application
◦ Gero Field Instructor/Site Supervisor Profile
◦ University-Organization Service Learning
Agreement (SLA)

Review school web site for further
information@
http://socialwork.sdsu.edu/field/prospective/applicationprocess/
4. Preparing for The Professional Interview
After identifying and selecting an agency for your future
practicum, the following steps are recommended in
preparing for your professional interview:
1. Be informed and in the “Know”- Review the agency’s
website.
2. Prepare your Resume and have a possible List of
Professional References (if requested from the Agency)
3. Contact SDSU Career Services for resume and
interview assistance.
4. Are your voice mail message and email addresses
professional?
5. Demonstrating Professionalism during your interview
1. Professional demeanor, presence, tone.
2. Professional appearance, language, etc.-
The Professional Interview







Prepare for usual Agency FAQs.
Arrive at least15 minutes early!
Consider previous and/or relevant experiences
and skills that may prepare you for the Gero
experience(volunteer, internship, employment).
Review education.
Demonstrate motivation, enthusiasm, interest, etc.
Show your best “professional self”.
Agency may request a resume, references, and a
writing sample at the time of interview?
Prepare in advance your questions for prospective
supervisor.
5. Agency Confirmation





Agency Supervisor will directly contact students to
inform them of acceptance. Student will also inform
Agency of their acceptance.
Students will complete additional Agency Screenings,
immediately e.g. health examinations; TB test;
immunization verification; security clearances;
fingerprinting; random drug screenings, etc.
Student will inform the future Gero 700 course
instructor of the agency confirmation and Gero site
supervisor identified.
Student will contact Supervisor to arrange weekly
practicum schedule before the Semester begins.
Begin preparing for the Gero course in the preceding
semester.
6. Semester Schedules & Gero 700 Planning





Semester Schedules can be discussed during the interview
and immediately upon confirmation.
Students are expected to defer vacations so they do not
have absences in practicum when school is in session
(Summer Semester Gero 700 may have exceptions.)
Students are expected to be in their Gero 700A or B
course for the entire semester; in accordance with SDSU
Calendar, from the first week when classes begin until
classes end in the last week.
Reminder – the student’s practicum schedule is the
responsibility of the Agency and Student (in accordance
with School policies and University semester time
periods).
Begin preparing for the Gero course in the next semester.
GERO Course Preparation
Review the University Calendar Schedule – Gero 700 Field
begins first week of classes
 Plan for 200 hours practicum semester per semester;
approximately 13-14 hours per week
 Priority in scheduling is given, in order, to: 1) classes,
including practicum seminar; 2) practicum experience; 3)
student’s other responsibilities.
 It is recommended that the student prepare for Internship
life and begin making proactive personal arrangements, e.g.
childcare, work schedule, hours, etc.
 Review your weekly schedule with Agency Supervisor
before the semester begins.
 When the Semester begins…ensure contact with Gero
700 instructor for first class meeting schedule.

7. Course Requirements – Gero 700 A/B
Practicum Internship & Mission



Must complete all 200 hours for each Gero 700 Course during the
semester you are enrolled in the class (in accordance with University
semester schedules).
Two practicum agency experiences. (If the student wishes to continue
in same agency for Gero 700 B, prior approval is required by School
field director. Student must demonstrate different experiences,
program, and supervisor for second semester.)
Course Syllabus and Assignments:
◦ Orientation checklists. / Learning plans.
◦ Required Practicum Hrs. by the University-course calendar.
◦ Weekly supervision.
◦ Attend and participate in course seminar (1-2 class meetings).
◦ Final Student Self-evaluation paper
◦ Supervisor completes Skills Evaluations Form of Students.
8. Contact Information:
Undergraduate Gero Course Sequence and
Eligibility - Contact:
 Lucinda Rasmussen Graduate Advisor
lucindarasmussen@cox.net
Gero 700 Practicum Course Questions – Contact:
 Candy Elson, LCSW, Director of Field Education
HH 114C / candy.elson@mail.sdsu.edu
Gero Curriculum Chair:
 Dr. J. Min HH 208 /jwmin@mail.sdsu.edu
9. Gero Program - References
SSW & Gerontology Program Web Site
http://socialwork.sdsu.edu/field/programdescriptions/gerontology-undergraduate/
 Ensure you are listed in School Communications
Central for Gero announcements and updates –
contact Sylvia T. (HH 119).
 Contact Gerontology Student Association (GSA)
for updates. Refer to GSA Bulletin Board.

SDSU Career Services
Career Services
http://career.sdsu.edu
619.594.6851 / SSE-1200
 Interview Questions and Preparation
(handouts on web site)
 Resume Writing Assistance
 Career Counselors
 Videotaping
 Workshops

Good luck on your interviews!