Field Experience                                          

Overview Of Field Instruction

Field instruction is an integral part of the Master of Social Work Program. Graduate Social Work Faculty, in close cooperation with the agency field instructors and the student, select and organize the learning experience on an individual basis for each student. This process is administered and organized by the Director of Field Education. A general pattern for field instruction is utilized, but adapted to individual student needs and the unique opportunities available in a given agency. Agency affiliation with the College includes a description of the agency and the learning opportunities offered by the agency for student review. Student interest and learning needs are central in the process of selecting field opportunities.

The purpose of field instruction is to facilitate the student in acquiring the skills necessary to function in a practice setting, integrating and applying the theoretical classroom material to actual client system contacts. This knowledge is incorporated in the field instruction objectives. Key among these objectives is the development of knowledge, values, and skills common to generalist practice in the first (foundation) year and the development of advanced knowledge, values, and skills in an area of concentration in the second (advanced) year.

MSW Field Manual Online

Assignment of Field Placements

Each year the Field Instruction Coordinator will communicate to each student, who indicates an intention to be enrolled in field, the procedure for placement selection. Under no circumstance are students to initiate the selection of a field placement outside of the selection process established by the Director of Field Education and approved by the faculty.

Approved Sites