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The Senior Capstone:

An Evaluative Tool for
Amy Meyers, PhD
Catherine Pearlman, PhD
the Core Competencies
BPD March, 2015
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Objectives of a Portfolio Capstone

 Integrates:
 Field work
 Classroom learning
 CSWE EPAS
 Oral and written skills
 Critical thinking
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What is the Capstone?

■ Senior Seminar Course

 Portfolio
 Poster presentation
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Portfolio Overview

 Title page
 Table of Contents
 Resume
 Biography
 Personal mission statement
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Portfolio Overview Continued

 Field placements
 Meaningful events
 Core competencies
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Biography

 Personal and professional interests

 Strengths
 Populations of interest
 Skills
 Theoretical stance
 Goals
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Personal Mission Statement

 How do you think you will develop

professionally in the next two years?

 What appeals to you about the field of

social work? What do you look forward to
contributing to the field?
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Description of Field Placements

 Agency overview
 Population
 Caseload
 Roles
 Collaboration
 Meetings/trainings
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Summary of Meaningful Events

 Supplemental materials/achievements
 Special projects
 Agency or program visits
 Extracurricular activities
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Core Competencies

 Summary of an experience that best

captures achievement of each competency.
 Two practice behaviors per competency.
 Drafts
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Poster Presentations
 Abbreviated biography
 Field placement summaries
 A couple of meaningful events
 Two competencies with examples of
application
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Preparation Courses
 Generalist Practice III
 Competency 2, 3, 6

 Mission Statement

 Biography

 Field Seminar
 Competency 1, 4, 7, 10

 Description of field placements

 Summary of Meaningful events

 Senior Seminar
 Competency 5, 8, 9

 Resume
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Grading the Capstone
1st Tier: Preparation Courses
5% in each course

2nd Tier: Senior Seminar

30% Portfolio
10% Poster
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Grading: Portfolio
30% of Senior Seminar Grade
Professional readiness
Summaries of meaningful events
Presentation of core competencies
Organization

Mechanics
+ Grading Poster Presentation

 VISUAL PRESENTATION (5%)

 Content
 Use of visuals
 Creativity
 Mechanics

 ORAL PRESENTATION (5%)

 Content
 Presentation style
 Professionalism
 Question & Answer
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Highlights
A shining opportunity for all students
 Presentation with Board and Dean
 Recognition from fellow students
 Important impression on the Juniors
 Different
side of students, dress,
professionalism, communication
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Challenges
 Overworked and very stressed seniors
 Grading complications
 Dividing up the preparation among a small
faculty
 Large faculty will have issue of continuity
 Timing of presentations
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Recommendations
 Start early in junior year
 Distribute across curriculum
 E-portfolio

 Be
willing to adjust Capstone as needed
and troubleshoot
 Assign portfolio mentors
 HaveJuniors part of presentations of
Seniors
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Questions and Comments

Contact Information

Amy Meyers, PhD

Molloy College
ameyers@molloy.edu

Catherine Pearlman, PhD

Brandman University
cpearlma@brandman.edu
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Considerations
 Stages

 Revisions/Drafts

 Written and oral components

 Address variations of strengths
 Incorporate required skills
(left justified) Multiple evaluators

Comprehensive vs. manageable(maybe have slides for strengths

and limitations)
Maximize learning/meaningful project vs. ….