Director of Practicum Education - Online

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of Churches of Christ.  This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

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The key principles of this job are to:

• Support ACU’s Mission: Educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

• Support ACU’s Strategic Plan.

• Support the School of Social Work’s Mission: The Abilene Christian University School of Social Work seeks, within the context of a Christian higher education institution, to prepare graduates as effective and ethical professionals who incorporate best evidence in practice; promote social justice for vulnerable persons everywhere through service and leadership roles; and advance social work knowledge through research and other scholarly activities.

• Support the School of Social Work’s Values: Ethical Effectiveness, Intentional Inclusivity, Equitable Service, and Critical Exploration.

Scope: Provide academic and administrative leadership in the practicum education program for undergraduate and graduate students in compliance with the curriculum, CSWE accreditation standards, ACU administrative policies, and the School of Social Work practicum handbook policies. This position reports to the School of Social Work Director.

I. Basic Responsibilities:

The Director of Practicum Education is responsible for oversight and administration of all practicum-related activities in both the MSSW and BSSW programs with primary assignment to the online option. These responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Provide high quality instruction, direction, and support for students in the online classroom environment and in the process of and throughout the completion of selecting a practicum site.

• Prioritize the student experience throughout the orientation and pre-placement process to ensure a smooth transition into practicum courses.

• Recruit, vet, and approve appropriate practicum instructors, task supervisors, and agency placements that meet CSWE standards as well as affiliation agreement requirements.

• Engage in an ongoing research agenda, particularly related to the teaching and learning in practicum education. 

• Maintain all practicum curriculum and policy alignment with University, college, and each Program requirements.

• Collaborate with and support the Associate Director for Practicum Education – Residential to ensure quality and consistency across each Program’s option/modality.

• Consult with each Program Director to ensure quality and consistency of practicum education requirements align with CSWE accreditation standards.

II. Essential Duties:

• Provide high quality instruction, direction, and support for students in the online classroom environment and in the process of selecting a practicum site.

• • Teach 21 credit hours per academic year with primary assignment to practicum courses.

  • Provide rich and timely feedback on student work, being both encouraging and constructively critical.

  • Provide timely and helpful answers to students’ inquiries regarding course material or academic matters.  

  • Conduct required synchronous interaction sessions.

  • Facilitate and grade all assignments and enter final course grades in a timely manner.

  • Manage and monitor practicum software requirements in compliance with practicum policies and procedures.

  • Engage in sound teaching methods designed for an adult learner.

  • Comply with all pertinent policies and procedures outlined in Abilene Christian University’s Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and those specified by ACU’s College of Health and Human Services and the Program.

  • Alert the respective Program Director to any student academic issues. This includes performance issues (e.g. failing grades, failing to turn in assignments, etc.) and policy violation issues (e.g. plagiarism).

  • Comply with all pertinent policies and procedures outlined in Abilene Christian University’s Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and those specified by each Program.

• Prioritize the student experience throughout the orientation and pre-placement process to ensure a smooth transition into practicum courses.

• • Secure paid placements for online students when applicable.

  • Abide by program requirements when approving all employment-based placements for online students.

  • Maintain practicum handbooks and ensure students have access and are oriented to the policies and procedures for practicum education.

  • Support students in utilizing the practicum software system.

  • Manage all online student grievances and professional conduct issues.

• Recruit, vet, and approve appropriate practicum instructors, task supervisors, and site placements that meet CSWE standards and affiliation agreement requirements.

• • Maintain relationships with instructors, supervisors, and agency contacts that promote the long-term retention of high-quality placement sites and provide accessible support for supervision challenges.

  • Maintain accurate records of supervisor credentials, affiliation agreements, and student performance documentation.

  • Locate and match off-site practicum supervision and coordinate payment as needed.

  • Guide the planning and implementation of practicum instructor trainings and periodic check-ins.

  • Manage all grievances and goodness of fit concerns related to instructors, supervisors, and sites.

• Engage in an ongoing research agenda and/or maintaining practice competencies and licensing requirements in the state of residence.

• • Develop and maintain an ongoing research agenda in the context of the scholarship of teaching and learning and/or practicum education.

  • Gain and maintain knowledge of trends and information pertaining to practicum education, including participation in relevant professional associations.

  • Participate in continuing education and/or scholarly activities designed to maintain licensure. 

• Maintain all practicum curriculum and policy alignment with University, college, and each Program requirements.

• • Align practicum policies and procedures with the online campus where applicable while monitoring compliance with Program-specific and CSWE standards. 

  • Evaluate practicum student performance and competency demonstration that meet University and Program reporting requirements.

  • Coordinate with relevant University personnel when managing crisis or legal concerns.

  • Other duties, as assigned and directed by the School of Social Work Director.

• Collaborate with and support the Associate Director for Practicum Education – Residential to ensure quality and consistency across each Program’s option/modality.

  • Corroborate to maintain practicum handbooks that apply consistent standards across options.

  • Partner to calibrate learning contracts, assessments of learning and growth, and practicum evaluation instruments that ensure consistency across options.

  • Co-design orientation and training resources for students, practicum instructors, and task supervisors that ensure consistent messaging regarding Program-specific expectations and standards.

  • Maintain regular contact with the Associate Director to address aggregate data and student learning outcome metrics across options to ensure parity in practicum outcomes.

• Consult with each Program Director to ensure quality and consistency of practicum education requirements align with CSWE accreditation standards.

• • Assist in the recruiting, hiring, on-boarding, and ongoing training of adjuncts for online practicum courses.

  • Collaborate on effective professional advising strategies and programming.

  • Ensure the assessment of student learning outcomes and competencies in practicum align with each Program’s assessment plan and in accordance with CSWE reporting requirements.

  • Prepare draft responses pertaining to practicum in CSWE annual reports and reaffirmation self-studies.

III. Professional Development Requirements:

• Skills

  • Attention to detail and follow through.

  • Time management skills.

  • Maintain confidentiality.

  • Computer proficiency.

  • Excellent verbal communication and written communication.

  • Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.

  • Provide quality instruction and support to students while maintaining academic and university standards.

  • Ability to collaborate or work independently as the situation requires.

  • Knowledge and experience in curriculum planning.

  • Thorough knowledge of CSWE accreditation standards and processes.

• Proficiency Required

• • Microsoft Word, Excel, Access

  • Google Calendar, Mail, Sheets and Docs

  • Canvas and Bridge (On-Line Learning Platforms)

  • Zoom

  • Exxat Clinical Software

IV.     Qualifications:

Professional

• Master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. A doctorate in social work or related field is preferred.

• Current licensure as a social worker.

• At least five (5) years’ post-MSSW practice experience.

• At least two (2) years of experience in practicum education, including teaching practicum courses, is expected. Online practicum education experience is highly preferred.

• Demonstrated supervisory skills, including supervising practicum students.

• Instructional experience and working in a team environment, including in an online environment, is highly preferred.

• Evidence of scholarship activity or scholarly potential.

• Computer literate in software and internet-based applications.

• Proficient in APA style.

Personal

• Capacity for personal and professional integrity in all activities.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and a willingness to problem solve and mediate when necessary.

• Ability to demonstrate ethical and professional judgment when interacting with students, practicum instructors or task supervisors, other faculty, and staff.

• Ability to express care and discretion when navigating complex student situations.

• Collaborative nature, with the ability to build consensus.

• Outstanding organizational and project management skills with the ability to consistently meet deadlines.

• Detail oriented and able to independently manage and prioritize competing objectives.

• Self-motivated and solves problems, asking for input and initiating solutions as appropriate and reasonable.

• Ability to view and manage roles and responsibilities in relation to larger mission, goals and perspective of the University.

• Willingness to receive additional training and/or faculty mentoring.

• Capacity to quickly learn new software applications.

• Access to reliable internet connection.

V. Physical Demands:

• Ability to use the computer and remain stationary for long periods of time.

• Manage conversations in person, online and by telephone. 

• Work well under pressure and manage stress well.

• Communicate clearly: speak, read, write, and hear clearly to perform essential functions.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.