Glossary/Terminology

CSWE - The Council on Social Work Education, which is the accrediting body and national association representing social work education in the United States.

Intern - A BSW or MSW student completing the practicum education component of their degree plan and level while meeting CSWE core competencies as practice milestones.

Internship - Placement within an agency site for two consecutive terms/semesters for social work learning, skill practice, and growth toward the core competencies set forth by CSWE. Internships are secured with affiliated agencies through the student placement process and work with the assigned Practicum Education Director.

Practicum Advisory Council - A group composed of the Directors of Practicum Education, social work faculty members, Social Work Supervisors, and student representatives who meet monthly to advise the practicum education office and academic programs on matters such as policies and procedures, planning of special programs, awards, and events for Social Work Supervisors and Task Supervisors.

Practicum Liaison - The seminar faculty member for the internship course and the primary linkage between the Garland School of Social Work and the internship agency. The Liaison contributes to the development of the student’s learning contract; focuses on monitoring the student's educational progress and performance; facilitates the weekly seminar course; consistently maintains a working relationship between the student, School, and the internship agency; and is responsible for the final practicum grade.

Social Work Supervisor - A social worker who possesses a BSW or MSW degree (requirement dependent on the level of the intern supervised) and has at least two years post-graduate experience who supports the intern in their integration of practice and classroom learning. The Social Work Supervisor supports the intern in developing the learning contract, navigating ethical dilemmas, integrating theory, values, and practice, and when possible, also supervises the day-to-day activities of the intern. The Social Work Supervisor is either onsite at the internship agency or an off-site partner supporting the student virtually.

Task Supervisor - An identified employee within the agency placement who provides day-to-day supervision of a social work intern. Task Supervisors are often assigned when the agency does not have a BSW or MSW staff to provide supervision of the social work intern, or when the agency has many units or divisions where interns practice apart from a more centralized Social Work Supervisor.