Social Work

New Field Site Information & Application

This information is for community agencies/organizations interested in becoming a possible field agency site for the School of Social Work’s field education program. Please review the information found under Selection of Field Education Sites and Selection of Field Supervisors prior to completing the attached field site application.  We utilize community agencies for students in both the undergraduate (BSW) and graduate (MSW) programs.  All students are required to complete two consecutive semesters (fall and spring) of field education at one field placement site.  The School of Social Work supports a concurrent field placement model, which means that students take additional coursework simultaneously with their field education courses. 

Field education requirements for BSW students include the completion of a minimum of 400 hours of agency-based practice over two consecutive semesters (16 hours per week) and student attendance at a biweekly field integrative seminar (on campus).  The BSW curriculum supports generalist practice and students in field are expected to have experiences working with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities.  Most BSW social work courses are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays to enable students to be at their field placement on Tuesdays and Thursdays, unless otherwise arranged with the field supervisor and faculty liaison.   

The first-year MSW students are also required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of agency-based practice over two consecutive semesters (16 hours per week) and attend a biweekly field integrative seminar facilitated by a social work faculty member.  This first-year field placement supports the MSW foundation curriculum of generalist practice with emphasis on direct practice roles.  Both the academic content of the field education program and its administrative procedures are consistent with the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 

The second-year MSW students must complete a minimum of 500 hours of community-based practice over two semesters (18 hours per week) and attend the biweekly field integrative seminar.  The second-year placement supports the MSW program’s sole concentration of community partnerships.  This field experience provides students the opportunity to build on the professional foundation of the first year and develop skill sets that target the community as the focus of practice.  All MSW social work courses are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays to enable students to make arrangements for field placement on the alternate days.
 
Once your New Field Education Site Application is received, this information will go on file and when we begin the process of evaluating new sites (usually late fall), I will be in contact with you to arrange a visit to your site.  New sites are added to our database each year.

Thank you for your interest in the training of future social workers.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Please explore our website to learn more about the BSW and MSW programs.

Vanessa Robinson-Dooley
Acting Director of Field Education