Abstract
The task of exploring the options for practical experiences for students completing the Human Services degree is an awesome one. There are at least three reasons for this being so: 1. The parameters - boundaries, requirements and level of information required - were not formally established and, therefore, are not necessarily based on a delimited, consensus position of the academic staff. 2. Related to the first point is the fact that the study was largely my initiative arising from my observation of the need for further systemically reviewed information on Practicums to assist informed discussion on this pressing aspect of curriculum design and development: It is also motivated by my interest in the relationship between theory and practice and how fieldwork or practical experience might assist the integration of these two main dimensions of professional education. The immediate motivating factor relates to my involvement in Practicum 6 and possible responsibility for Practicums 5 and 6 in 1995. The ongoing motivation being my PhD studies which will be addressing these very issues of curriculum design and development. 3. The timing of the study, while eagerly awaited by my colleagues (ie. very timely), at the end of the academic year, has posed quite some difficulties in obtaining at short notice a comprehensive documentation of all the initiatives which may be of relevance for the current purpose.