Dhofar University Social Work students completed their first Field Internship experience during the Fall 2007 semester. A total of 52 students completed field internship placements as part of the requirement for the Bachelor and Diploma of Social Work degrees.  Students were placed at the Department of Social Development, Al-Wafa Center for people with special needs, and in schools in Salalah, Al-Saada, Taqah, Mirbat, Al-Haq, and Thamrait. The interns received training from an immediate supervisor who either has a degree in social work or is performing the duties of a social worker.  Each student was evaluated by their immediate and secondary supervisors and the field instructors.

The students not only completed their first internship but they impressed their field supervisors with their commitment, enthusiasm, knowledge, and skills in the practice of social work.  Students at the Al-Wafa Center for the disabled prepared and conducted a workshop for parents on ways to help their children increase their capacities to help them learn.  At the different schools, students provided individual assessments and interventions to help students with behavioral problems that interfere with their learning.  Students also prepared and delivered lectures to students on being a good student, the importance of an education, and the need to always do your best in school and in life.

The degree in Social Work is the first professional social work degree in the Dhofar region and in Oman. This program follows the Council on Social Work Education accreditation standards in the United States. Students in the Diploma program are prepared as social service aids after completing 60 credit hours to meet graduation requirements.  Graduates of the Diploma program have the ability to provide basic social services such as interviewing, completing assessments for benefits and other duties that do not require advanced knowledge of social work practice methods.

Bachelor of Social Work Students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours as part of their graduation requirements.  78 credit hours are major requirements that include courses in Sociology and Psychology and the following social work courses: Human Behavior and The Social Environment, Social Policy and Services I & II, Social Work Research Methods, Social Work in Islam, Communication and Interviewing, Social Work Administration, Social Work Practice I, II, & III and major electives.  Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work program can provide the full range of social services provided by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, private agencies and schools. The graduate also has the education and training to provide psychosocial assessments and interventions using the Problem Solving Approach, Behavior Modification techniques and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Dr. Robert Villa and Dr. Hussein Al-Harthy are the instructors for this internship. Dr. Villa is a professional social worker from America with over 20 years of experience in implementing social work programs at the Bachelor and Master level, teaching all areas of the curriculum and in the professional practice of social work. Dr. Al-Harthy is a Sociologist with over 25 years experience working in government departments in Oman.

The Department of Social Science is very proud to be graduating the first cohort of Diploma and Bachelor of Social Work students during the 2007-2008 academic year. Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce and provide much needed professional social work services to their communities. Congratulations to the Diploma students in completing their studies at Dhofar University. Bachelor of Social Work students will complete their second internship in the Spring 2008 semester along with other required courses. Approximately 32 bachelor students will graduate in the Spring or Summer 2008 semesters. 

Congratulations!