Integrating Practicum and Research in Psychology: Fieldwork Courses and Social Service for Undergraduates Mary C. Starke, Ph.D. Professor of Clinical Psychology Ramapo College of New Jersey

Fieldwork Course Prerequisites Concurrent registration/ completion of appropriate course e.g., Abnormal Psych Junior/ senior status Completion of “Research Methods in Psychology” and “Data Analysis”: recommended 60 hours of volunteer work in social service agency over course of semester Registration in Fieldwork course: 4 credits: class meets twice a week

Examples of Fieldwork Courses at Ramapo College Abnormal Psychology Fieldwork Childhood Disorders Fieldwork Behavior Therapy Fieldwork Fieldwork with Children Fieldwork with Adolescents Fieldwork with Adults (senior citizens) HIV / AIDS Fieldwork Independent Study Research

Examples of Social Service Agencies Schools for “special” children: emotionally disturbed clients—autism, ADHD, CD, MR “Special” classes in public schools: CAPS Mental Hospitals Institutions for Mentally Retarded: ARCs Outpatient mental health clinics Group therapy for clients diagnosed with Asperger’s, ADHD Residences for former patients

Advantages of Fieldwork Courses?

Advantages of Fieldwork Courses Make good decision about career goals before graduation Hands on experience with various populations and settings Learn skills and information Applied Behavioral Analysis Group therapy leadership Social service agencies Psychology: living with schizophrenia, with Alzheimer’s, and so on Apply knowledge from psychology to practical setting Get a job: work experience, recommendations Get out of classroom, exams, less reading

Disadvantages of Fieldwork?

Red tape hassles: criminal background checks, finger printing, Mantoux tests, orientation and training sessions, insurance Phone tag with supervisor: use Emotional investment in clients Turn over in agencies and supervisors

Course Requirements Oral presentation: population report :18% Term paper: integration of field experience with research from refereed journals: 45% Oral presentation: 7% agency information case study Supervisor’s evaluation of fieldwork: 25% Class participation/ quizzes: 5% Journals: no grade

Practicum Experience in Non- Fieldwork Courses Experiential learning in “Abnormal Psych,” Child Disorders, Behavior Therapy 40 hours optional required? Experiential learning in “College Seminar” for first-year students?

Handouts for Fieldwork Courses Student Inventory Syllabus Oral Report: population Term Paper Oral Report: agency info, case study Time Sheet Supervisor Evaluation Form