Ms. Linda Harris, LMSW
Director of Field Instruction

BSW Field Instruction

     In social work, some learning occurs outside the classroom, typically in the practical setting of an agency or organization employing social workers. Field Instruction provides students with the opportunity to be placed in a variety of fields of practice, including mental health, health care, substance abuse, child welfare, criminal justice and school/education. Approximately 80 agency sites are utilized for field instruction in the region. Field Instruction begins the process of applying knowledge, values, and skills obtained in class to practical settings. Two field experiences are built into the curriculum. The first occurs in the sophomore or Junior year and the second comes at the end of the senior year, when all other course work has been completed.

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Junior Field Instruction

     The beginning Field Instruction, which is SWK 300 requires students to spend a minimum of 75 - 100 clock hours in a social welfare agency. This field experience is designed to introduce students to the agency context of social work practice and to begin the process of socialization into the profession. Field Instruction also requires students to apply concepts learned in class to their practice experiences.

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Senior Field Instruction

Students are given both practical and educational experience in a variety of field settings. They are required to spend 500 hours in structured, supervised fieldwork, directed by faculty with broad experience and expertise in social work practice. Field Instruction provides students with opportunities to further enhance their learning experiences and develop as a professional in an agency setting. Students who have successfully completed the field component will:
• Be able to apply social work knowledge and skills in a professional social work setting.
• Have completed the transition from student to beginning professional.
• Be able to integrate academic course work into a practice setting.
• Be able to employ social work values and ethics in practice settings.
• More readily identify with the social work profession because of the field experience.
Note: It is the desire of the School of Social Work to assess each student fairly using the same criteria. Therefore, all students must complete the field instruction placement, regardless of previous work experiences. Students may not engage in field instruction in the same agency setting in which they are employed.

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