This article describes an ongoing effort to train MSW students to practice motivational interviewing (MI) competently in the context of a university-community field education partnership model. Students in field placement are trained using the Motivational Interviewing Training and Assessment System and participate in a field seminar to hone MI…

All 50 states have licensing standards for professional counselors and all require a minimum of a graduate-level degree in counseling or a related field. For most graduate-level counseling programs, in addition to coursework, students must be exposed to a certain number of hours face-to-face with clients in a clinical setting. Typically, that…

The purpose of the study was to investigate practicum students' perceptions of their experience with an online practicum course in an Applied School Psychology graduate program. With the use of synchronous and asynchronous communication technology, the instructor and students met in the online environment to engage in discussion with regard to…

Pre-practicum student reflections were studied using an Objective Standard Clinical Examination adapted for social work. One hundred and nine students conducted simulated interviews and immediately wrote answers to reflective questions. Reflections were studied using descriptive qualitative methodology. Three patterns emerged: students rely…

In implementing a university-wide programmatic innovation to prepare graduate students to become more effective instructors in their future careers as university educators, a faculty development center encountered various types of resistance, ranging from the structural to the cognitive to the affective. Elaborating upon models of organizational…

Globally, two current educational problems for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exist. Many teachers lack training in evidence-based practices (EBP) and in-service teachers are not transferring theory to practice. This study was locally conducted to establish the state of the EBP delivery systems, with a specific focus on rural…

Urban schools are struggling to hire and retain effective literacy teachers. Alternative certification programs throughout the country seek to bridge the achievement gap and to bring qualified teachers to underserved classrooms. This dissertation explores the transformative inquiry of developing "resident" teachers in their journey as…

Social work research is an essential component of a doctoral education. Students' perspectives need to be considered when determining how social work research is taught. Students enrolled in a social work doctoral program conducted a single case study that took a retrospective look at the student experience in a two-semester research practicum at…

Counseling psychology doctoral trainees' satisfaction with their clinical methods training is an important predictor of their self-efficacy as counselors, persistence in graduate programs, and probability of practicing psychotherapy in their careers (Fernando & Hulse-Killacky, 2005; Hadjipavlou & Ogrodniczuk, 2007; Morton & Worthley,…

We present findings from interviews with 17 first-year MSWs assigned to gerontological placements undertaken before beginning--and again as they neared completion--of practicum. All respondents, even those most positive and negative at beginning of placement, report a reduction in stereotypes, improved appreciation of older adults' capacities and…

Studies have repeatedly shown that English language learners (ELLs) in elementary and secondary schools are frustrated because the school system is failing to support them in achieving their goals of acquiring English and obtaining postsecondary education. Teachers of ELLs often tell students to stop speaking their native languages, require…

The author used a mixed methods design to assess field work-related educational disequilibrium and its effect on the self-concept and mental health of MSW students. Twenty-eight advanced, fourth-semester MSW students were compared with 37 entering, first-semester MSW students in practice-related sense of accomplishment. Compared with first-year…

Our nation's public schools have been given the task of preparing our students for success in college as well as future careers. Determining how to best prepare future teachers is not an easy task, and the current state of public education has had an impact on what it takes to be a successful teacher. Involving pre-service career and…

Responding to a gap in relevant literatures, this study explores cooperating teachers' perceptions of their roles and responsibilities as contributors to the practicum experiences of preservice teachers of English as a second language who were pursuing a master's degree. Research tools featured focus group and individual interviews with 11…

In an attempt to determine the differences between the perceptions of distance and face-to-face faculty supervision, this research surveyed 190 master's-level counseling students regarding their supervisory working alliance and supervision satisfaction. It also explored the differences between the perceptions of practicum- and internship-level…