University Field Practicum Program
A structured, CSWE-aligned field placement for social work students seeking to earn academic credit while serving communities in crisis through a faith-integrated ministry.
Equipping the Next Generation of Faith-Based Social Workers
The need is great, and the harvest is plentiful. Our field practicum program gives Bachelor's (BSW) and Master's (MSW) social work students the opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining real, supervised experience in crisis intervention, community care, and faith-integrated practice.
Founded by Chaplain Rebecca — a trained investigative social worker and Doctor of Divinity with over 40 years of experience — UCI-W provides a rich, diverse learning environment that prepares students for compassionate, competent, ethically grounded professional practice.
Crisis Intervention
Hands-on de-escalation & safety planning
Global Reach
Serve diverse populations worldwide
Faith Integration
Ethically integrate spirituality in care
Supervised Practice
MSW-level weekly field instruction
Practicum Curriculum
Ten modules totaling 219+ hours of instruction and supervised field practice, mapped to CSWE's nine social work competencies.
Foundations of Faith-Based Social Work
Integration of Christian faith with professional social work practice. History of faith-based services, ethical integration of spirituality, and the distinct role of the church in community care.
Crisis Intervention & Mental Health First Aid
Evidence-based crisis de-escalation, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and Mental Health First Aid principles grounded in compassion and hope.
Community Resource Navigation
Mapping and connecting clients to food banks, shelters, social services, healthcare, and legal aid. Hands-on use of the UCI-W resource directory.
Spiritual Care & Ethical Boundaries
Providing spiritual support without proselytizing. Maintaining professional boundaries, respecting diverse beliefs, and knowing when to refer.
Cross-Cultural Ministry & Global Outreach
Cultural humility, working across languages and traditions, and understanding the global context of poverty, displacement, and crisis.
Case Management & Documentation
Intake, assessment, goal-setting, service planning, progress notes, and outcome measurement using best-practice documentation standards.
Trauma-Informed Care
Understanding trauma's impact on the brain and behavior, trauma-informed engagement, and self-care for the helping professional.
Mandated Reporting & Professional Ethics
State-mandated reporting laws, child and elder abuse recognition, confidentiality, HIPAA basics, and the NASW Code of Ethics.
Natural Health & Wellness Integration
Holistic approaches to wellness — nutrition, natural remedies, and lifestyle — as complements to conventional care, with appropriate disclaimers.
Capstone Field Practicum Project
Supervised field placement carrying out a real ministry project — food distribution coordination, prayer request response, resource mapping, or outreach program design. Culminates in a reflective portfolio and presentation.
Aligned to CSWE Competencies
Our practicum is designed around the Council on Social Work Education's nine competencies required for accredited programs.
Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
Engage diversity and difference in practice
Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
Engage in policy practice
Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Ready to Partner?
Whether you're a student seeking a field placement or a university seeking an affiliated practicum site, we'd love to connect with you.