Course Topics
Practical orientation has a high priority in the social work degree programme. With regard to the required theory-practice relationship, practical study and training phases are important and central components of the overall training programme.
Practical training phases must be consciously structured, planned and, in this sense, guided teaching and learning processes. The practical training phases of the degree programme are about much more than just observing everyday routines, but also about active and responsible participation in a practical field.
The orientation internship provides an insight into a selected field of action and an initial examination of the role and practice of social work.
The students analyse the organisational context as well as the applicable legal provisions and socio-political framework conditions.
They observe and analyse the access requirements for the field of action and its offers, they participate actively and responsibly under the guidance of the company tutor,
they reflect on their practical experience, both individually and in groups under the guidance of the academic tutors, and they combine the theories acquired during their studies with their practical experience.
The internship consists of 2 parts.
1) INDIRECT INTERNSHIP as support during the first practical experience.
The challenge of transferring theory to practice becomes particularly apparent as soon as students are confronted with practical experience in complex fields of action in professional social work. For this reason, in the "Practice Reflection" laboratories, students' experiences are linked back to university theory and students are encouraged to actively engage with their learning experiences in the group, both on an individual and on a systemic and organisational level. Observation at the meta-level and self-reflection play an essential role in the development of social work competences. The academic tutors use supervisory methods and techniques such as exemplary group work, role-playing, didactic exercises, preparation of practice protocols and others.
The active participation of students is required. According to the programme regulations, attendance is compulsory as for all laboratories.
The indirect internship comprises 20 hours and includes the preparation meetings for the internship, supervision during the internship and reflection at the end through the "practical reflection" laboratories and participation in the internship days.
The dates for the laboratories are published in the university lecture calendar.
2) DIRECT INTERNSHIP to be completed in a field of social work chosen by the student. If necessary, the academic tutors will support students in choosing a suitable internship. Internships can be completed in South Tyrol, in the rest of the country and abroad. In the case of an internship abroad, it is possible to take part in the Erasmus Traineeship programme. The Career Service can provide information.
The decisive criterion for the approval of internship applications is whether they are in line with the educational objectives of the degree programme.
Teaching format
Upon approval of the internship applications, students are assigned an academic tutor who accompanies them throughout the internship.
The direct and indirect internships take place in presence.
Teaching methods Indirect internship:
- Interactive method,
- group work,
- individual pair and group reflection, using various reflection and supervision models.
Teaching methods Direct practical training:
- Observation,
- active and reflective participation in everyday working life at the placement centre,
- Assumption of subtasks in consultation with the practical tutor and the academic tutors.