Master of Social Work Program Capstone Project Description 2011-2012 Final Version 12/16/09 Revised 08/31/11
Purpose The concentration year Capstone Project provides Masters of Social Work (MSW) students with the opportunity to integrate and apply previous learning (academic and field) through the creation and implementation of a project at their practicum agency in order to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, ethics and values necessary for evidence-based advanced generalist social work practice. The Capstone Project also gives students the opportunity to contribute to the knowledge-base of the profession and to develop and enhance professional presentation skills through the creation and delivery of a poster presentation and the writing of an executive summary describing the project. Capstone Project Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the Capstone Project students will have met the following learning outcome: 1) Design, implement and evaluate an evidence-based direct or indirect practice intervention within the context of the practice setting (1.3, 1.9C, 3.4C). 2) Critically analyze and understand the ethical issues associated with conducting direct or indirect practice intervention and evaluation within the context of the practice setting (1.8C, 2.4C). 3) Critically analyze and understand the issues associated with populations-at-risk and/or diverse groups as they pertain to conducting a direct or indirect practice intervention and evaluation within the context of the practice setting (1.8C, 2.4C). 4) Critically analyze and understand the implications of the project for social work practice, theory, research, and policy (1.8C, 3.3C). 5) Develop and present a professional-level poster presentation (4.1). Capstone Project Description The Capstone Project is an integrative applied project carried out under the supervision of the Academic Advisor, implemented at the concentration year practicum setting in conjunction with SOWK 665/675: Advanced Practicum and Seminar I & II, and culminating in a poster presentation conducted in conjunction with SOWK 661: Advanced Social Work Practice Administration. Students work with their academic advisor and in consultation with agency field instructor or task supervisor, SOWK 665/675 field liaison, and SOWK 661 faculty to develop, implement and present a feasible Capstone Project in the practicum setting. Project in the practicum setting. Refer to the Capstone Project Implementation Protocol for an overview of student and faculty responsibilities. 2
The Capstone Project is designed to meet the learning needs and interests of the students, as well as make a contribution to the practicum agency. The Capstone Project may take an advanced direct practice focus or an advanced indirect practice focus. The Capstone Project may build upon previous coursework that is applied to the practicum agency and/or may build upon a project already initiated at the practicum agency. The Capstone Project is written into each student s concentration year practicum Learning Contract and may account for approximately 20-25% or their time in the agency. Capstone Project Options Possible direct practice options include but are not limited to: Direct practice evaluation through single-system research design Research into a new treatment modality not currently used at the agency Research and analysis of the effectiveness of different treatment modalities for a target population/treatment issue Research on the application of a treatment modality used at the agency with a diverse population (e.g., specific racial or ethnic group, developmentally disabled, elderly, GLBT) Possible indirect practice options include but are not limited to: Needs assessment/survey Analysis of a policy that has direct impact on the agency (agency, state, federal) Development of agency training materials Research and write/revise agency policy and procedures Design and implement a public education/awareness campaign Evaluation of program effectiveness Capstone Project: Five Core Requirements The five required components of each Capstone Project, described later in this document, are: 1. Capstone Project Approval Process and Proposal (may include IRB forms) 2. Evaluation of implementation of the Capstone Project 3. Poster Presentation 4. Executive Summary 5. Product from your Capstone Project 1. Capstone Project Approval Process and Proposal The Capstone Project Proposal is developed by the student under the guidance of the academic advisor and others. A description appears later in this document of the roles of the academic advisor, SOWK 665/675 field liaison, the agency field instructor or task supervisor, and the SOWK 661 faculty member. Students should review those descriptions carefully. 3
The Idea for a Capstone Project The processes of determining the specific Capstone Project will somewhat vary for each student. The initial step in the process is to obtain approval from the academic advisor and the field instructor or task supervisor for the idea for the project. In general, it is anticipated that during this initial step each student will: 1. During the practicum placement process, explore possible Capstone Project options with potential and/or selected practicum agency field instructor or task supervisor. 2. Meet with the academic advisor late in the fall semester or in the first weeks of the spring semester to discuss possible Capstone Project options. 3. Once a Capstone Project idea is agreed upon by the student and academic advisor, the student will discuss and obtain written approval for the idea from the student s field instructor or task supervisor. An e-mail to the student from the field supervisor, forwarded to the field liaison, is sufficient written approval for the idea for a Capstone Project. Keep in mind this approval is only for the idea, not the full proposal. Capstone Project Preliminary Review of the Literature Once the idea for the Capstone Project has been approved by the academic advisor, each student will conduct a preliminary review of the relevant research literature. In general, it is anticipated that each student will: 1. Discuss the nature and focus of the literature review with the student s academic advisor prior to conducting the review. 2. Review the relevant research literature. 3. Write a summary of the findings. 4. Meet with the student s academic advisor to discuss the findings and the drafting of the Capstone Project Proposal. Capstone Project Proposal Each student completes the Capstone Project Proposal Form. The required components of the Capstone Project Proposal are: 1. Student name 2. Title of the project 3. Title of the practicum agency and location 4. Agency field instructor or task supervisor 5. SOWK 665/675 field liaison and academic advisor 6. Track 1 (Under the direction of the academic advisor, students will follow Track 1 or Track 2 and ALL students complete items 5 11). a. IRB Proposal i. A one page summary of the review of the methodology literature to determine evidence-based best practices for carrying out the project with references. ii. Students undertaking projects utilizing human subjects will write an Institutional Review Board Proposal in accordance with the MSU, Mankato IRB Proposal Guidelines. IRB review and approval is required for 4
projects involving the use of human subjects. While not every student will be required to write the IRB proposal and other requisite paperwork that may apply, each student is required to determine the need for IRB approval in conjunction with the academic advisor. Go to the MSU, Mankato IRB website for additional information: http://grad.mnsu.edu/irb/ iii. In addition, students may be required to get approval from the agency s IRB. Students are expected to discuss agency expectations with their field instructor or task supervisor and other agency personnel as directed. Track 2 (Under the direction of the academic advisor, students will follow Track 1 or Track 2 and ALL students complete items 5 11). b. A statement of problem/need. c. A statement purpose of the project. d. Ethical issues associated with conducting the project. e. Proposed methodology for conducting the project. i. A one page summary of the review of the methodology literature to determine evidence-based best practices for carrying out the project with references. All Students Complete the Following: 7. A statement of the issues associate with populations-at-risk and/or diverse groups and implications for conducting the project. 8. A statement of the issues associated with rural and small communities and implications for conducting the project. 9. Anticipated project outcomes. 10. Timeline (Refer to the Capstone Project Timeline Form) 11. Reference list Capstone Project Approval Students submit the completed Capstone Project Proposal and related forms to the academic advisor for review, feedback, revision approval, and signature. The signature of the field instructor or task supervisor must also be obtained after the academic advisor has approved the proposal. More than one version of the proposal may need to be submitted before approval is granted. Students may not begin working on the Capstone Project until the Academic Advisor has signed the Capstone Project Proposal, and if needed, IRB approval has been sought and granted. The original signed Capstone Project Proposal will be kept by the academic advisor. The student, agency field instructor or task supervisor and SOWK 665/675 field liaison will each receive a copy of the signed proposal. 5
2. Evaluation of Capstone Project Implementation, Progress, and Completion Students are required to ensure that their academic advisor is kept informed of their progress with implementing the Capstone Project, including any challenges or unanticipated problems. Progress may be documented using email, posting messages on the Capstone Project D2L webpage, face-to-face meetings, or other preferred communication method. Each student should consult with their academic advisor to determine the preferred method for documenting progress. The Evaluation Form must be completed by the Academic Advisor at 170, 300-340, and 500 hours. Separate forms are acceptable for each evaluation. Students are required to complete the Capstone Project in the concentration year practicum agency. The Capstone Project is incorporated into the Learning Contract. In order to successfully pass the concentration practicum, students must satisfactorily complete the Capstone Project. Students are required to meet with his/her academic advisor at three specified points of time during the spring/summer semesters to obtain a written evaluation of progress/performance on completing the Capstone Project as part of the evaluation of field practicum. The signed form should be submitted to the SOWK 665/675 field liaison as part of the evaluation of field practicum. Refer to page 3 of the Capstone Project Proposal form. Failure to satisfactorily complete the project can affect the final evaluation in SOWK 665/675 Advanced Practicum and Seminar I & II. The poster presentation and executive summary will be evaluated by the SOWK 661 Advanced Social Work Practice Administration faculty as one of the requirements for successfully completing the concentration year administration course. Document Retention An 8.5 x11 copy of the Capstone Project poster will be retained in the students file for seven (7) years post-graduation. IRB approval letters or emails, if pertinent, will also be retained for the same time period unless approval otherwise specifies. 3. Poster Presentation Students are expected to conduct their poster presentation at their practicum agency and at a forum showcasing MSW Capstone Projects. The Capstone Forum provides the opportunity for students to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession and for the MSW Program to publically acknowledge field agencies for their contribution to students professional growth and development. In SOWK 661 Advanced Social Work Practice Administration students will receive instructions on how to prepare and conduct a poster presentation. Requirements Each poster presentation should include the following elements that parallel the Capstone Project Requirements. Appropriate use of references and citations in accordance with the 6 th Edition APA style guidelines is a requirement for the final poster product. Careful preparation of the poster presentation that clearly and succinctly outlines students work is critical. 6
Title of the project Title of the practicum agency, agency field instructor or task supervisor, SOWK 665/675 field liaison, and academic advisor A statement of the significance and purpose of the project. Overview of the methodology for conducting the project Summary of the relevant literature Presentation of key findings Discussion (which may include benefits to the agency) and recommendations for next steps. References 4. Capstone Project Executive Summary Students are expected to write a 4 to 6 page executive summary of their Capstone Project with an 6 th Edition APA style reference list. The contents of the executive summary will be drawn from the 1) Capstone Project Proposal and 2) Capstone Project product that is produced as the result of conducting the project (e.g., training manual, policy and procedure manual, survey instrument and report of the results submitted to the agency). The Capstone Project Executive Summary will be disseminated by the student at the Capstone Forum in conjunction with the poster presentation and will also be submitted for a grade in SOWK 661 Advanced Social Work Practice Administration. Use the following requirements to develop the Capstone Project Executive Summary. Requirements The required elements for the 4 to 6-page Capstone Project Executive Summary are: Name of the student Title of the project Title of the practicum agency and location Agency field instructor or task supervisor name SOWK 665/675 field liaison and academic advisor A statement of the significance and purpose of the project. Brief statement of the methodology to determine evidence-based best practice for carrying out the direct or indirect project. Summary of the relevant literature Brief summary of key findings Examination (as applicable to the project) of issues pertaining to: 1) ethics, 2) populations-at-risk and/or diverse groups, and 3) rural and small communities. Examination of the implications of the project for social work practice, theory, policy and research. Conclusion (which may include benefits to the agency) and recommendations for next steps. Benefits to the student as an advanced generalist social worker. Complete reference list of all literature used in Capstone Project 7
Note that this Executive Summary is a unique document and is not your poster in paragraph form. This should be a well developed, integrated written summary of your work. In some cases, your advisor will request that you develop a separate Executive Summary to accompany a product (see next section) to be delivered to the agency. Your academic advisor will offer you further direction about this. 5. Product Each student will produce some type of Capstone Project product that is in fitting with the agency interests. The actual product will vary depending upon the nature of the project. Possible products may include: Training manual Policy and procedure manual Policy analysis/policy brief Survey instrument Evaluation report Research report Staff training or formal presentation Or other product as negotiated with your advisor and field site Capstone Project Roles Each student will be working with their academic advisor, agency field instructor or task supervisor, SOWK 665/675 field liaison, and SOWK 661 Advanced Social Work Practice Administration faculty in order to successfully complete the Capstone Project. Academic Advisor The academic advisor fulfills an oversight role (e.g., brainstorming, weighing options, identify resources, final approval and ongoing oversight) in order to ensure that the project is feasible and meets the Capstone Project requirements. The academic advisor provides approval for the Capstone Project. The academic advisor will be instrumental in determining the need for IRB approval from MSU, Mankato and will provide oversight for the preparation and submission, with the required signature, for the IRB application. While the academic advisor will be identified by the MSU, Mankato IRB as the Principle Investigator (PI), the responsibility for planning and implementing this project is with the student. The academic advisor monitors the implementation of the project and provides the SOW 665/675 with feedback regarding successful progress and completion of the project. 8
SOWK 665/675 Field Liaison The SOWK 665/675 field liaison fulfills a consultative role to ensure that the project is feasible, is integrated into the overall field practicum and Learning Contract. The field office will also establish and maintain a Desire 2 Learn (D2L) website for information sharing and tracking between students, academic advisors and field liaisons. The field liaison will facilitate Project Dialogue Groups (PDG) during practicum seminar with SOWK 661: Advanced Social Work Administration Practice faculty and other faculty as deemed necessary to help students develop and implement their projects. In addition, the PDG provides students the opportunity to get feedback from other students and to share the process of creating and implementing their projects. The field liaison will solicit feedback from each student s academic advisor and field supervisor at the time of mid-placement review to determine if satisfactory progress is being made on the implementation of the Capstone Project. The SOWK 665/675 field liaison will solicit feedback from each student s academic advisor and field supervisor to determine if the Capstone Project has been satisfactorily completed. Agency Field Instructor of Task Supervisor The agency field instructor or task supervisor fulfills a consultative role in order to ensure that the project will benefit the field agency and is feasible. The agency field instructor or task supervisor provides approval for the idea of the project via a letter or email to the field liaison. The agency field instructor or task supervisor will also be instrumental in determining the need for Institutional Review Board (IRB) or other such approval from their agency and will provide access to that process. The agency field instructor or task supervisor will provide feedback regarding implementation of the project at the agency as part of the evaluation of successful progress and completion of the Learning Contract. SOWK 661 Advanced Social Work Practice Administration Faculty The faculty teaching SOWK 661 will participate in the Project Dialogue; provide instructions on how construct a poster, deliver a poster presentation, and write an executive summary; and evaluate the poster presentation and executive summary as a requirement of the SOWK 661 course. 9