SOW 118P - Substance Use and Public Health Practicum

Credits: 3
1 Lecture Hours 100 Practicum Hours

Prerequisites: CRE-103, ENG-090
Description
This practicum offers students 100 hours of supervised field experience in substance use-related settings, including community agencies, treatment centers and recovery-focused organizations. Grounded in social work values and public health principles, students engage with individuals and families affected by substance use, with particular attention to opioid addiction, co-occurring disorders and systemic barriers to care. Through this immersive experience, students explore harm reduction theories, apply ethical decision-making and develop practical skills in engagement, documentation and culturally responsive service delivery. The course fosters critical reflection on addiction as both a personal and societal issue.

CSWE Required Competencies

This course is designed in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). As a specialized field course in the social work curriculum, SOW 118 addresses competencies required for accredited social work programs. The following competencies align with the course learning outcomes and prepare students for continued study and future licensure pathways:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Competency 2: Engage Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) in Practice
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism in Practice
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

Apply ethical and professional standards to field-based addiction services. (CSWE Competency 1)
Analyze substance use through a trauma-informed, public health lens. (CSWE Competencies 2, 3, 6)
Demonstrate communication and engagement skills with individuals and families. (CSWE Competencies 1, 6)
Identify risk factors and harm reduction approaches for blood-borne illnesses and substance abuse. (CSWE Competencies 6, 8)
Reflect on personal learning and assess career fit in substance use services. (CSWE Competency 1)

Listed Topics

Substance use and addiction in a public health context
Opioid epidemic and systemic responses
Co-occurring disorders and trauma-informed care
Social determinants of health and addiction
Client engagement and motivational interviewing
Harm reduction and recovery-oriented systems of care
Blood-borne pathogens and universal precautions
Confidentiality, ethics and HIPAA in D&A services
Reflective supervision and professional growth
Community resources and referral systems

Reference Materials
Current textbook/materials as deemed appropriate by instructor

Students who successfully complete this course acquire general knowledge, skills and abilities that align with CCAC’s definition of an educated person. Specifically, this course fulfills these General Education Goals:

Communication
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Culture Society & Citizenship
Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning

Approved By: Dr. Quintin B. Bullock Date Approved: 05/14/2025
Last Reviewed: 05/14/2025

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