Social Work

Field Placement Hours

BSW and 1st-year MSW students are expected to complete a minimum of 400 hours over the course of the two academic semesters. With delayed entry into fall field placement, it is expected that students will complete at least 160 hours during the fall semester (approximately 16 hours over 10-11 weeks).  Students will complete a minimum of 240 hours during the fifteen-week Spring semester.

2nd-year MSW students are expected to complete a minimum of 500 hours over the course of the two academic semesters. In the fall, these students complete approximately 234 hours (18 hours over 13 weeks) followed by a minimum of 270 hours during the Spring semester.

Scheduling Hours:
BSW and 1st-year MSW students usually complete the required 16 hours/week field placement in two full days (lunch not included in the hour count).  2nd-year MSW students complete the required 18 hours/week field placement scheduled over three work days (not a two day/week schedule). The student and field supervisor must discuss and agree to the student’s weekly schedule based on both the student’s and the supervisor’s needs/tasks. Classes and field seminar cannot be missed to attend field placement.

December Hours:
All students should be off the week that GSU is closed for the December holidays – they are not expected to be in placement when the University is closed. Students should return to their respective field placement sites once the spring semester begins in January (check the academic calendar for start date). The School acknowledges there may be work that needs to be accomplished in the field agency requiring the student's presence once fall semester is completed. However, there are limits to a student continuing his/her placement in between the semesters. Upon completion of the fall semester field placement hours, the student can work for a maximum of 25 hours total in December (to be agreed upon by both student and field supervisor) and such hours can be counted towards spring semester hours.  Students should not be working 16 hours per week – their December hours should reflect the time needed to provide continuity in assigned tasks or responsibilities (e.g., case management, group facilitation, holiday project, fundraising event). If the student or field supervisor is unclear about December field placement hours, the faculty liaison should be consulted.

NASW Student Lobby Day:
The School supports the professional development of social work students and their identification with the profession. Georgia NASW sponsors Student Lobby Day (usually held in February). Students are encouraged to attend this event and, if it falls on the same day as the student’s field placement day, field supervisors are encouraged to allow the student to attend. The field supervisor has the choice to require that the student make up the missed field day or give credit to the student to use lobby day as an approved field day. If the supervisor approves it as a field day, the student should provide a written or oral report, reflection, analysis, etc. of his/her lobbying experience, lessons learned, and application to the field site.