Social Work Emphasis

The Social Work Emphasis (SWE) is designed for social work majors who are interested in conducting their junior, senior, or MSW level field placement in an immersive, cross-cultural context. SWE students live on campus at Uganda Christian University and take part in other valuable components of USP, including urban and rural homestays with Ugandan families, a 10-day trip to Northern Uganda or Rwanda, and the USP core course, Faith & Action in the Ugandan Context. 

The social work field experience and accompanying seminar discussions shed light on the rewarding and challenging nature of international social work, while simultaneously helping students to translate and apply their professional growth to a Western context.

The SWE offers a wide variety of field placement opportunities for both junior and senior level social work students (see practicum site descriptions below).  

Students will learn the value of being present with a patient with HIV/AIDS, shadow their supervisors as they work to reconcile family members, and observe how consistent visits to the home of a child struggling in school can change the course of their life. While integrating CSWE's Social Work Competencies, students will experience first-hand how the values of the social work profession are truly universal in the empowerment of marginalized and vulnerable populations. Learn from Africans about the value of diversity, the micro and macro causes and solutions to poverty and injustice, and the beauty of community as a change agent in society.

Download the Social Work Emphasis At-A-Glance Handout 

Download the Practicum Site Descriptions

Download info about the field placement process here

If you would like a copy of our Learning Agreement and/or Field Evaluation documents, please contact us at usp@ugandastudiesprogram.org

The USP also has a section of our website which provides Information for Social Work Faculty who would like to know more about the program, or have specific questions. 

Junior Level Social Work Emphasis

Junior Level SWE students take Faith & Action in the Ugandan Context, Social Work Practicum for Junior Level, Junior Social Work Seminar for the Ugandan Context, and at least one African Context Course. 
 

Junior Social Work Seminar & Junior Social Work Practicum

The junior level field experience provides students with opportunities to integrate social work theory and practice in a cross-cultural setting. Students will complete a minimum of 160 hours of practice at an approved service location in Uganda. Each student will be on-site 2-3 days per week under the supervision of her/his field supervisor and the USP Social Work Coordinator (MSW).
 

Senior Level Social Work Emphasis

Senior Level SWE students take Faith & Action in the Ugandan Context, Senior Social Work Seminar, and Senior Social Work Practicum for a total of 16 semester credits.
 

Senior Social Work Seminar & Senior Social Work Practicum

The senior level field experience provides the same learning opportunities as the junior level field experience (see above) but with greater intensity and debrief/supervision to match. It requires more proficient social work skills, and develops increased cultural humility. Students will complete a minimum of 400 hours of practice at an approved service location in Uganda. Each student will be on-site 3-5 days per week under the supervision of her/his field supervisor and the USP Social Work Coordinator (MSW).
 

MSW Level Social Work Emphasis

MSW Level SWE students take Faith & Action in the Ugandan Context, MSW Social Work Seminar, and MSW Social Work Practicum for a total of 16 semester credits.

MSW Social Work Seminar and MSW Social Work Practicum  and Seminar for Senior Level

The MSW foundation field experience provides learning opportunities similar to a senior level field experience (see above) but at the MSW level and with appropriate debrief/supervision to match. It requires more proficient social work skills and develops increased cultural humility. Students will complete a minimum of 400 hours of practice at an approved service location in Uganda. Each student will be on-site 3-5 days per week under the supervision of her/his field supervisor and the USP Social Work Coordinator (MSW).

Questions about the Social Work Emphasis?

Lisa Tokpa, MSW (Washington University), coordinates the Social Work Emphasis and practicum placements. For more information, contact her directly.