Field Education — Real World Experience
Field Education is an integral part of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research Master of Social Service (MSS) and Master in Public Health (MPH) curriculum. The Field Education component of the curriculum provides students with supervised observational learning and practical “hands-on” social work experience in preparation for professional social work practice. Completion of field placement is required for the MSS degree.
Field Education is designed to assist students in the integration of theoretical and conceptual knowledge acquired in the classroom with the direct application of the practical knowledge in their field settings. Field Education prepares students for advanced practice through the mastery of the CSWE EPAS core competencies augmented by knowledge and practice behaviors specific to a concentration. This competency-based approach is based on the measurement of specific practice behaviors. Students will be able to demonstrate the integration and application of competencies in their field practice.
Field Education Requirements:
All full and part-time students must complete four semesters in their field placement.
Advanced Standing MSS students complete two regular academic semesters in their field placement within a one year period. This occurs in the fall and spring semesters. Advanced Standing Students are in the field the equivalent of three full agency work days/week throughout their field placement experience, in fall and spring semesters.
Foundation (first year) MSS students are in the field the equivalent of two full agency work days in both fall and spring semesters.
Clinical or Community Practice concentration MSS students are in the field the equivalent of three full agency work days/week in both fall and spring semesters.
Applicants are admitted with the understanding that they must be available for field placements a minimum of 8 hours/week during regular working hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and that the availability of a field placement occurring only during evening and/or weekend hours is not guaranteed.