Week 1: Welcome and Introductions Core social work curriculum, the social work code of ethics, cultural competency, and evidence-based practice create the foundation of professional identity. In addit

Week 1: Welcome and Introductions

Core social work curriculum, the social work code of ethics, cultural competency, and evidence-based practice create the foundation of professional identity. In addition, licensure is a part of a professional social work identity.

This week, you learn about the licensing and regulations within your state and discuss strategies you will use to prepare to take the licensure exam. You will learn more about the licensure test and test-taking strategies in a face-to-face session during Week 4, so come prepared with your questions!

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Identify expectations for the Skills Lab
• Identify preparation strategies for and potential challenges related to the social work license exam

Photo Credit: sturti/E /Getty Images

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Association of Social Work Boards. (2016a). About licensing and regulation. Retrieved from https://www.aswb.org/licensees/about-licensing-and-regulation/Association of Social Work Boards. (2016b). Exam content outlines. Retrieved from https://www.aswb.org/exam-candidates/about-the-exams/exam-content-outlines/Kirmayer, L. J. (2012). Cultural competence and evidence-based practice in mental health: Epistemic communities and the politics of pluralism. Social Science & Medicine, 75em>(2), 249–256. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.03.018Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.Reamer, F. G. (2015). Clinical social work in a digital environment: Ethical and risk-management challenges. Clinical Social Work Journal, 43(2), 120–132. doi:10.1007/s10615-014-0495-0Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Required Media

Laureate Education (2017f). Welcome to the Master of Social Work Skills Lab II [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.Accessible player --Downloads--Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Discussion 1: Introduction Video

When you attend the on-ground portion of the Skills Lab in Week 4, you will meet colleagues and Instructors from the Master of Social Work program. Some may be familiar to you from other courses, including the cohort in this course. You may also be traveling for the first time to a city you’ve never visited, be away from your family and community, or be overwhelmed by what seems a daunting, immersive experience.

You won’t be alone.

This Discussion introduction, similar to your other courses, allows you to make connections with the students in this section and share your expectations for the exciting weeks to come.

To upload your media to this discussion thread, use the Kaltura Media option from the mashup tool drop-down menu. Refer to the Kaltura Media Uploader area in the course navigation menu for more information about how to upload media to the course.

By Day 3

Post a 3- to 5-minute video introducing yourself to the class. Please include:

• Your name
• Your geographic location
• Your thoughts, expectations, and anticipated challenges for this course
• Other background information that you would like to share with your colleagues and instructor
• Your expectations for the Skills Lab

By Day 5

Respond to at least one of your colleague's postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read yourcolleague's posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague's posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:Week 1 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3

To participate in this Discussion:Week 1 Discussion

Discussion 2: Preparation for Licensure

Licensure is an important step on the path to becoming a licensed social worker. In this Discussion, you identify best practices for licensure preparation.

To prepare, review the materials on ASWB’s website about licensure and regulations in your state.

By Day 3

Identify the state in which you plan to seek social work licensure.

• Name three things you will do to prepare to take the social work license exam in your state.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two peers with:

• One potential challenge to obtaining licensure
• At least one strategy to address that challenge