Distributed Learning

The Distributed Learning (DL) Program in the Department of Social Work at Cal Poly Humboldt provides an online learning opportunity for students who would not otherwise have access to higher education. Students in the online program must live in the state of California while they are in the social work program. We recognize that many individuals in rural communities are already invested in serving their local organizations or tribal programs, and the decision to relocate in order to obtain a degree would potentially create a hardship for the community being served. For those living in California, we offer the opportunity for students to pursue a degree while continuing to work with their local community.

Cal Poly Humboldt offers both online undergraduate (BASW) and graduate (MSW) degree programs. Our DL (also referred to as online) programs follow the same curriculum content as our campus-based programs. In addition, our online MSW program provides students with a community seminar that is designed to support student success.

All curriculum plans follow a sequence and courses are only offered one time a year. The Online BASW program follows the same two-year plan as the campus program. The Online MSW program is designed as a part-time pathway and has a separate application process and fee structure. Online course sections are usually limited to a small student to instructor ratio.

While the majority of course content for DL students is fully online, all students attend weekly live webinar sessions, come to campus for a mandatory orientation at the beginning of their program and then once a year to participate in our January Intensive. This intensive is typically held over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, just prior to Spring courses beginning. 

Practicum placements are not guaranteed and require ongoing collaboration with the Practicum Director, agency, and student. For students who live outside of our general service region, additional requirements may be needed.

In addition to the coursework, a Practicum placement is required to graduate. The Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Social Work only has arrangements for Practicum placements in the Humboldt service area. The Humboldt service area in the Superior Region of Northern California includes these counties: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yuba.

Our BASW and MSW DL programs build on multiple contexts of learning to develop effective and ethical social workers.  Distributed Learning provides access to education so that people can strengthen their own communities without needing to leave their area, jobs, and families.  Distributed Learning is not simply online education. It is education that is interactive, locally based, networked, student-centered, and also online. It is education designed around knowledge about effective and transformative adult learning.

* Please review the document regarding computer recommendations for our online program.

* Please review the two PDF Charts for comparison of Full and Advanced Standing MSW Degree Programs. These comparisons review number of semesters, time needed for successful course completion, time on campus, PRacticum placements, and cost of program.

For some, the idea of learning how to do good social work without face-to-face interaction is a challenge. We have come to understand that when we speak about face-to-face interaction, what we are really talking about is relationship building. Relationships are formed out of common and shared meaning-making. We can make meaning with people synchronously or asynchronously, face-to-face or online, as long as time and attention is given to this process.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Time commitments: Courses are not self-paced and follow the same academic calendar as the campus-based program. Students must be able to set aside and manage their time to complete readings, assignments, group activities and other course content on a weekly basis.

Technology access: Course content is hosted online. Students must be able to review and upload online content 2-3 times per week at minimum. Students should also expect to participate in a live online session each Thursday evening, making use of audio and video. The IT department has listed computer recommendations for an online program.

Written communication platform: Due to the online structure of the courses, much peer and faculty contact is conducted and evaluated via written communication. Students can receive support to further develop their professional writing skills, but should be prepared to spend more time on course projects if this is an identified need.

WHAT I CAN EXPECT:

All students who accept admission to the DL Social Work program are required to travel to campus for orientation at the beginning of their program and for up to four days each January that they wish to maintain their status in the program. While there are no fees associated with this event, the average travel cost to students to attend this annual residency requirement is $1,250.00, depending on mode/distance of transportation and lodging choices. For more on what to expect while on campus, view the sample event agenda.

Students who do not attend the mandatory campus-based orientation/intensive will be withdrawn from classes and the offer of admission will be rescinded.

In extreme cases of a documented catastrophic event, the student may petition to the department to be excused from this requirement.  These waivers are rarely granted and in most cases students are encouraged to apply for an academic leave (if they have been in the program for at least one year) or they may be required to reapply for admission to the program in the following application cycle.

Many students who choose to participate in our DL program are living with situations that make being a student a challenge. Common situations for our students might include: single parents, caregivers, full-time employees in rural and tribal social services, living in extremely rural situations with limited access, living with a mental health diagnosis, non-traditional age student, returning students, history of substance use, limited technology experience, history of experience in the social service system, community and cultural obligations.

While these issues may be similar to those experienced by our campus students, our DL students do not benefit from faculty/staff seeing them in the hallway or the natural helping networks that form between students as they travel from class to class together.  In an effort to support our students we have developed the following strategies:

VIRTUAL CAMPUS

Using a downloadable and web-based technology, we have designed a virtual campus that allows for students to meet up with faculty/staff using audio, video and screen share technologies. In this computer-based and mobile application, students attend classes, access academic advising services, get help with doing research from the Humboldt librarian and meet with peers for study sessions and group projects.  This virtual campus is available to students 24/7 and requires minimal technology skill.

DISTRIBUTED LEARNING COMMUNITY SEMINARS

DL students take a Community Seminar each semester of the program.  The purpose of this additional course is to build community among students, staff and faculty; to support students in making connections across the curriculum and their lived experiences; and to provide strategies for student success in an online education program. These are SW 411, SW 511 and SW 611.

REGIONALLY-BASED PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC COACHES (PAC)

The Professional & Academic Coaching (PAC) program is designed to offer professional and academic support for students enrolled in Cal Poly Humboldt’s (Humboldt) social work distributed learning programs. The PAC program assists students in transitioning into their chosen educational program, developing tools for successful completion of the program, as well as building their professional identity as a Social Worker. This includes navigating the academic setting, time management, prioritization of tasks, negotiating academic and employment demands and utilizing self-care strategies to facilitate personal and professional growth. Coaches are regionally based throughout the state of California and provide opportunities for students to connect throughout their time in the program through both face-to-face and virtual meeting opportunities.

Students who are participating in our Distributed Learning (on-line) programs for BASW and MSW degrees complete the same requirements for practicum education as on-campus students. This includes the same coursework, total number of practicum hours, structure of internship within the academic year and expectations for supervision. Our program emphasis is generalist practice with rural and Indigenous communities. This emphasis is reflected in both our curriculum content and in competencies that guide internship activity development, student learning agreements and all practicum evaluations.

DL MSW students:

Placement planning occurs during the two semesters prior to beginning placement, including individual placement planning meetings with the Director of Community Placement and Practicum Education, which may occur via web or phone, as well as in person during campus orientations and intensives. Support includes information regarding existing placements and in-depth guidance regarding the parameters for employment-based internships as relevant.  All approved community placement sites will meet our Practicum Requirements prior to placement confirmation. DL MSW Students should plan for an average of 16 hours per week of practicum activities during the semesters they are enrolled in practicum seminar.  DL MSW students complete practicum seminar coursework during the third and fourth semesters of their Foundation year (SW 555) and the third and fourth semester of their Advanced year (SW 655).

DL BASW students:

Placement planning occurs via SW 356, a spring course during the junior year facilitated by the Director of Community Placement and Practicum Education.  The practicum preparation course is designed to prepare students to participate in the selection process for senior year internship, to understand the purpose of the senior year practicum placement, and to increase the likelihood of a meaningful practicum experience. This course includes individualized and team meetings to identify prospective sites, as well as social work specific resume building, development of professional networks and weekly course assignments. DL BASW students should plan for an average of 14 hours per week of practicum activities during each semester of their senior year, while they are enrolled in SW 456 and SW 455.

Placement Locations:

The Social Work Department at Cal Poly Humboldt initially developed our Distributed Learning program specifically to meet the educational needs of individuals residing in far Northern California, primarily those who were already working in social work or related fields.  Out of area students may need to move to the Superior Region of Northern California to complete their social work degree. In addition to the coursework, a Practicum Placement is required to graduate. The Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Social Work has the most relationships for practicum placements in the Superior Region of Northern California, which includes these counties: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yuba. 

Employment-Based Practicum Placement

Cal Poly Humboldt Social Work department has a rich foundation of community partnerships with public, tribal and non-profit community organizations to support the direct learning of our students in the practice of social work. Some of our community partners within close proximity to our university have been hosting students since our BASW program began in the 1970s. 

Our online (distributed learning) program was developed in 2013 in partnership with county and tribal employers in far Northern California to increase the capacity of our regional workforce. This has also allowed our program to support the unique challenges and strengths of predominantly rural communities and partner with employers in the region to support their employees in meeting professional and academic goals and deepening their social work practice. 

Employers may have different protocols and requirements to qualify for employment-based placements, and this may also be shaped by your current work unit, position description, permanent status, and professional development plans. We encourage you to inquire with your HR and organizational leadership regarding whether this opportunity may be available to you. Proposals for employment-based placements must be approved by employment leadership and the Director of Community Placement and Practicum Education. Students residing in the service area of an existing CSU or UC with a social work program will have a higher likelihood of barriers to placement, as those universities will have priority for placement.

Some examples of on-going regional employer partnerships include: 

Humboldt DHHS, Del Norte DHHS, Siskiyou County DHHS, Shasta Child and Family Services, Mendocino Child and Family Services, Mendocino County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Trinity County Child Welfare Services, Lake County Child Welfare Services, Lake County Behavioral Health, Del Norte Unified School District.

Yurok Tribe, Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria Social Services, Trinidad Rancheria Social Services, K’im:aw Medical Center Hoopa Valley, Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation, California Tribal TANF, Consolidated Tribal Health, Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Northern Valley Indian Health

Hill Country Health and Wellness Center, Redwood Community Services, Shasta Community Health Center, Victor Community Support Services, Inc, Crestwood Behavioral Health

For more information about becoming a regional partner or regarding policies on employment-based placement, please contact Yvonne.Doble@humboldt.edu, Director of Community Placement and Practicum. 

To learn more about becoming a Practicum Supervisor and establishing the placement agreement that allows organizations to host our Social Work students, please contact Yvonne Doble, Director of Community Placement and Practicum Education at 707-826-4452 or Yvonne.Doble@humboldt.edu.