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Field Practicum

Field practicum allows students to observe real-life situations handled by professionals in the field. Social work students are required to apply for admission into the field practicum. An orientation meeting is scheduled by the Field Coordinator each semester for all students planning to enroll in the field practicum during the next session. The Field Manual will be distributed and discussed at each Fall field orientation meeting with the Field Coordinator.

Additional information about the field practicum is available in the social work program Field Manual.

Students in the BSW program will complete a total of 448 clock hours of placement (224 in Fall and 224 in Spring).
Students in the Generalist MSW program will complete 448 clock hours of placement (224 in Spring and 224 in Summer).
Students in the Specialized MSW program (which includes students who are in Advanced Placement) will complete 500 clock hours of placement (250 in Fall and 250 in Spring).

In accordance with professional and University standards, students may be denied acceptance or withdrawn from the program or field practicum for either academic or behavioral reasons. Students denied admission into the placement may file a grievance in accordance with University procedures as discussed in the appendices.

Students are never left to find their own placements in our BSW or MSW programs. The Field Application process includes an interview with the Field Coordinator, who will work with you to identify your preferred population, agency, and supervision style. We will then refer you to an agency that is available and the best match to your preferences. No student is required to find their own placement. We have over 200 agencies that we have pre-approved and are happy to work with students already employed in the field to develop an employment-based field opportunity.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the BSW field practicum, students must:

Be formally accepted into the BSW degree program
Have completed all requirements for the BSW degree prior to entering the practicum
Obtain written approval from an academic advisor
Attend the orientation session
Complete the field application and upload a resume via Tevera
Notify the Field Coordinator when the above steps are complete

To be admitted into the MSW field practicum, students must:

Be formally accepted into the MSW degree program
Meet with the MSW Program Coordinator to determine eligibility for the field
Complete the field application and upload a resume via Tevera
Notify the Field Coordinator when the above steps are complete

Field Coordinator’s next steps:

All of the field applications must be done on Tevera. The Field Coordinator will send a registration link to the student.
After the student notifies the Field Coordinator, the Field Coordinator will review all submitted applications and forms and meet with each potential field student.
The Field Coordinator will determine if the student meets the requirements for placement.
The Field Coordinator will meet with each student to discuss his/her eligibility for placement and, if accepted, possible agency placements. Students not meeting the requirements for placement will be notified of their ineligibility, the reason(s) for their ineligibility, and the corrective measure(s) that must be taken.
At no time is the student to contact field agencies without the Field Coordinator's approval.
The student will contact the selected agency and interview with the agency field instructor and/or representative.
The Field Coordinator will contact the agency field instructor and then meet with the student to discuss the decision for placement.