Master of Social work (MSW) Student Field Information

Welcome to the MSW’s field education page.  The field education experience provides the opportunity to demonstrate the accomplishment of your educational goals.  Successful completion of field education is designed to function as the capstone academic experience for a student who intends to obtain a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.  The CSWE nationally accredited program requires students to gain “mastery” of the nine CSWE competencies by the time a student graduates from the program.  

Students will start the field placement process the semester before they enter into field practicum.  The process entails an orientation, an application process, and an interview process as students work in collaboration with MSW Director of Field Education.  The practicum placement process will integrate the students’ specific learning goals, academic goals, and allows them to engage with clients and constituents to practice new knowledge in a real-world field setting.  

MSW Practicums begin in January of each academic year and extend through July. SOWK 615/625: Foundation Practicum and Seminar requires a minimum of 460 hours of documented field education experience, while the SOWK 665/675: Specialization Practicum and Seminar requires a minimum of 500 hours of documented field education time.

 
For more details field placement policies and procedures, please see the Field Education Manual.