The experience begins here.
YSocialWork, Inc. launched a training program for public and private school juniors and seniors interested in a career in social work.
Core activities will include (1) an online competency-based social work course and (2) capstone, totaling up to 25 hours of instruction and practicum/simulated activities.
Upon completion, some students are encouraged to participate in other service-learning courses.
What will students learn?
A unique service learning and career development opportunity for high school students that integrate social work values and ethics across clusters within the Career Technical Education (CTE) Program. It makes social work stand out from the rest of other careers.
Our goal is to expose high school students to innovative competency-based education.
Our learning objectives closely aligns with four social work and entrepreneurship competencies:
Demonstrate the values and professional behaviors, knowledge and skills necessary to become an ethical social change agent across disciplines and human services
Identify and embrace elements of diversity and differences across disciplines and in pursuit of a career in human services
There’s nothing basic about our benefits.
The benefits of satisfying community service with YSocialWork, Inc. go beyond the hours, and here are a few:
Earn Up to 25 Hours of Community Service
Access to Internship and Scholarship Opportunities
Access to After-School Advising and Tutoring
Experiential Training in Interdisciplinary Social Work Education and Practice
YSocialWork has an open enrollment process.
You must meet the following criteria to apply:
+Be a high school student
+Have at least a 2.5 GPA
+Completion of the YSocialWork Community Service Approval Form
+ In the process of fulfilling college admissions tests requirements (Accuplacer, SAT, or ACT)
+ Available to meet twice a week and complete an additional 25 hours of community service hours virtually.
Our instructors comprise of university faculty and practitioners.
In HSEC, volunteer instructors will introduce four out of five social work competencies, values, and practice. Each student will prepare and engage in meaningful conversation with esteemed professors and practitioners across Maryland and other CSWE-accredited programs. Work is optional, but students will be required to complete competency evaluations following each session. Throughout the semester, students will also engage in national conversations with industry leaders to build public speaking, debate, and interviewing skills.
Each instructor is an expert in their respective competency area.
Spread across four weeks, HSSEC classes help students ready for social work education by learning four of the nine foundational social work competencies:
Competency 1 : Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behaviors
Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Differences in Practice
Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Can I participate if I am not a PGCPS student?
Yes, students attending private schools across Prince George’s County have completed the High School Student Experiential Classroom.
+ Can I participate if I am not interested in a career in social work?
Yes, but any junior or graduating senior interested in pursuing a career in social work are strongly encouraged to apply.
+ Do I have to pay to participate?
No, you do not need to pay for enrollment. Students receive up to 25 hours of community service for participation.
+ What if I can’t make one or two sessions?
Full participated is a major component of the program. Accommodations should be made at the beginning of the program.
+ Can I participate as a freshman?
Depending on availability, yes. We encourage freshmen to earn community service hours by facilitating High School Student webinars held each semester via Zoom.
+ How do I participate without committing 25 hours?
Participating in High School Student webinars is the ideal service-learning opportunity for high school freshmen. For more information, visit the High School Student Series page
+ I am a ESL student. Are there any translation services provided in the class?
No, you do not need to pay for enrollment. Students receive up to 25 hours of community service for participation.
+How does YSocialWork SSL verify hours?
Additional information on how YSocialWork will verify SSL hours will be provided at orientation held before each session.
+How often are classes offered?
Introduction to SW is offered once a year, starting mid-October.
+Additional questions?
Schedule a 30-minute appointment with one of our interns at hsstudententexperientialclassroom@gmail.com.
