Field instruction is the practicum portion of the social work education. It is an educationally directed, coordinated and monitored practicum experience required of all social work students.
The social work program has two field experiences the student must complete:
SCWK191, Introductory Field Experience Requires 120 clock hours of placement, and occurs typically in the summer of the first year of the program. The purpose of this initial field experience is to allow the student to become familiar with the social work profession and to assess one’s willingness and abilities to continue in the program. These placements typically occur close to the student’s hometown if they are planning on returning home during the summer. For transfer students, the placement takes place typically the first summer in the program. It is the student’s responsibility to locate this placement in conjunction with the program’s field coordinator. These plans will be formulated in SCWK 170, which is taken in preparation for this placement. Under no circumstances is life or work experience substituted for SCWK 191.
Requirements for SCWK are:
· Completion of SCWK 110
· GPA of 2.0
· Completion of SCWK 170
· Approval of their advisor
· Approval of the field placement by the field coordinator
SCWK 491 and SCWK 492, Field Experience Requires 480 clock hours of placement (240 hours per semester) , and occurs typically over two semesters. This placement occurs in the student’s final two semester of the program, during their senior year. The primary goal of field instruction is the development of a student’s ability to integrate the curriculum’s liberal arts and professional foundations in the performance of a beginning social work role. This integration occurs primarily through the application of social work knowledge, skills and values to planned change in the field.
Field placements for 491 and 492 can be anywhere in the state (and sometimes outside the state), and are coordinated and approved by the program’s field coordinator.
Requirements for SCWK 491 and 492 are:
You may appeal the
decision made by your advisor.