University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
About University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire is a public university in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. UW–Eau Claire had an annual budget of approximately 237 million dollars in the 2017–18 academic year.
What do your CAST students say about your program?
Frequently Asked Questions
In what department(s) or field(s) of study is your CAST program housed?
What is the nature of your CAST program? Is it a Major, Minor, Certificate program, or something else?
What CAST course delivery options exist at your institution (e.g. online, face-to-face, hybrid)?
What are the enrollment requirements for your CAST program?
Cumulative GPA of 2.5, & a meeting with the CAST Coordinator
What courses do you offer under your CAST programming?
SW 290: Human Rights and Global Justice; SW 385: Introduction to Child Welfare; SW 491: Advanced Child Welfare
When are your CAST courses being offered?
SW 290 – Fall & Spring: Face – to – Face; Summer: Hybrid SW 385 – Fall & Spring: Face – to – Face SW 491 – Fall: Face – to – Face
What is enrollment like for your CAST program?
Demand for courses is consist and in high demand. Students selected to be a part of the CAST Fellowship Program are given priority registration for required courses, meaning seats are reserved for these students in the semesters in which they need to take the course.
Why do students need CAST?
CAST courses provide students with the opportunity to practice the skills they will need to work with children and families in high stress situations. Students engage with one another as though they are already professionals in the field providing services to vulnerable individuals. Students are given the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and receiving coaching in an educational environment before having to make critical decisions in a real case or employment setting.
What makes your CAST program stand out?
UWEC CAST students are given priority registration for Child Welfare immersions run by the Social Work Department. While enrolled in SW 290, students visit 10- 12 local agencies providing direct services to families in need. Students enrolled in SW 385 and SW 491 utilize the mock apartment setting to practice skills and engage Problem Based Learning Simulation Modules. UWEC Social Work Professors have presented at the American Public Human Services National Summit, the WI Juvenile Court Intake Association, and the WI Council on Social Work Education regarding the UWEC Child Welfare program and with student researchers on child welfare related topics such as ACE Scores in their relation to college students, Child Welfare employee retention, and Building Compassion Resiliency (Self-Care) in the Child Welfare Workforce.
What do colleagues, professionals or administrators say about your CAST program?
‘Working with UWEC students is always a phenomenal experience. These students are substantially more prepared for the realities of this work than other students through similar programs I have worked with. It is clear the UWEC Child Welfare Training Program works hard to ensure their students learn up to date information on social work policies, practices, and trends to best prepare them for the workforce.’ — Dunn County Foster Care Coordinator
‘It has been phenomenal having student interns who are part of the Child Welfare Training Program at UWEC as they come into the internship experience with engagement skills, knowledge about the need to collaborate with community agencies, awareness about ethics and values in social work, and recognition of the challenges faced by social workers and the families we work with.’ — Dunn County Senior Social Worker
What are some career opportunities for your CAST graduates?
Our CAST graduates have landed in multiple locations, but most frequently have become employed in county or state level child welfare agencies.
Where can students find more information about your CAST program?
https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-education-human-sciences/departments-programs/social-work/academic-offerings/