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The doctoral curriculum is based on a Block Plan of instruction in which periods of classroom study alternate with periods of clinical and research practice in the field. The Doctoral Program includes two and one-half summers of on-campus intensive study (Sessions I, III, and V) and two intervening eight-month clinical practice internships (Sessions II and IV). Academic courses are taken at Smith between June and August. The required and elective courses advance knowledge about: clinical theory and practice with individuals, families, and small groups; psychodynamic and social theories; the philosophical foundations of contemporary social work practice; social work education; social policy as related to clinical practice and mental health; and social work research, both qualitative and quantitative. All courses are offered on a full-time enrollment basis only.
The two eight-month clinical internship periods (September through April) take place after the first and second summers of on-campus study. The clinical internship affords the opportunity to study and apply advanced practice methods to a range of clients, and to study clinical theories and processes in depth. Ideally, fellows also gain experience in clinical teaching and begin to contribute to theory development.
Most fellows elect to develop work-study internships within their places of employment. These work-study internships serve as the two-year training site. Others develop fellowship opportunities at training centers or affiliate with agencies around the country.
Whatever type of internship is utilized, considerable responsibility for proposing and developing the clinical internship rests with each applicant, although program directors are available to consult with applicants about potential internship plans during the application process. Because fellows propose and develop their own internship plans, applications can be considered from any part of the United States or Canada (and occasionally by special arrangement from other nations as well) where a viable plan of off-campus study can be developed. The final decision about the educational viability of any fellow's proposed clinical internship plan rests with the School. Guidelines for developing a clinical internship proposal are part of the application package for the program, available through the School's Office of Admission.
In order to encourage research and scholarship, a half-day research internship is also completed during one of the clinical internship periods (2 credits). Here fellows affiliate with an ongoing research project, with a faculty mentor, either in the field or in the community.
A fellows progress in the program is assessed through two examinations. At the end of the first internship, fellows must pass a Clinical Qualifying Examination. This exam is both oral and written, and passing indicates readiness for the second field internship. During the second field internship, there is a Comprehensive Examination which addresses all areas of the curriculum in light of the fellow's proposed dissertation topic.
There is a well-developed system of individualized field and research advising to assist fellows in meeting the goals of clinical internship, examinations, and research requirements of the program. Doctoral fellows are mentored by faculty field advisors who visit the internship site twice annually to work with fellows in meeting the clinical requirements of the program. In addition, fellows are supervised in their examinations, and dissertation work by School faculty.
The program also encourages all fellows not already employed in social work education to engage in some form of clinical teaching - in the classroom, in the agency, as a supervisor, or as a consultant - as part of the course of study, typically during the second internship or the final summer of on-campus study. This, too, involves mentoring by an advisor or by individual faculty members. Finally, as in all Ph.D. programs, an individual doctoral dissertation is required.
During the two eight-month clinical internships (September through April) fellows are expected to spend three days in agency-based clinical practice. For those with private practices, two days of agency-based practice are required; one day of private practice may augment the two-day placement. Fellows are expected to see eight to twelve study cases weekly in individual practice and engage in a minimum of two hours of clinical supervision. Additionally, they participate in seminars and training opportunities within and beyond their agencies. Throughout their internships, fellows intensively study clinical processes, and apply advanced psychological and social theories to the individuals, groups and families with whom students work. Fellows have the opportunity to do guided research on clinical practice, and to analyze and critique multiple theoretical perspectives as the relate to clinical assessments and interventions.
In both internships, regular reporting is required. Written assignments in the first year focus on research, on clinical practice and on preparing fellows for the oral and written clinical examinations at the end of the first year. Written assignments in the second year are geared toward reflecting on practice, theory, and teaching.
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