About
The purpose of Service Learning is to give students in SW 312 (Generalist Social Work Practice) the opportunity to practice relationship building skills with others and to observe the stages of the change process. Students also learn about social justice issues impacting residents of the Austin area and develop a better sense of the social work profession. Professionalism and development of self-awareness are also emphasized.
Students completing Service Learning in Social Work 312 are expected to achieve the following:
- Develop professionalism and self-awareness
- Gain exposure to diversity within the community
- Begin practicing relationship building skills through work with community members
- Experience opportunities to observe or discuss the change process with people receiving services
- Learn about the social justice issues impacting the people served by the agency
- Integrate what they are learning in SW 312 regarding relationship building, the change process and social justice with their experiences in an agency setting
Students are required to be either social work majors or minors to complete SW 312 and Service Learning. Students are still in the early stages of learning about the skills necessary to become a professional social worker and can not function as a social worker in their Service Learning experience. Instead, students may take on smaller responsibilities needed to serve clients effectively in agencies. Students are required to have human contact for the majority of their time in Service Learning.
Service Learning Courses and Hours
Undergraduate students enrolled in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHSSW) are required to complete 30 hours of Service Learning in a community agency during Social Work Social Work 312: Generalist Social Work Practice.
Opportunities
Recent Impacts
Sustainable Development Goals
