Field Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is field education about?
A: It is an opportunity to apply your knowledge to practice in a human service agency, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
Q: How do I qualify for field education?
A: You must have maintained a minimum of a 2.0 average overall and a 2.0 average in the major. You must also have completed Interventive Methods I, SWK 422, and Human Behavior and the Social Environment II, SWK 308, to be eligible for field education.
Q: How many hours do I devote to field education?
A: 420 hours over the course of two semesters... or approximately 15 hours per week. In addition, you attend a 1 1/2 hour field seminar once a week, under the guidance of one of our faculty. Academic credit for life experience and previous work experience will not be given in whole or in part in lieu of the field practicum.
Q: Can I change field sites at mid-semester?
A: No. You remain in your seminar and at your agency both semesters. It affords you a special opportunity to increase the complexity of your assignments and the degree of your autonomy as you progress.
Q: Do I have a choice of sites?
A: On your field education application, you can list your preferred practice fields. Your preferences may not, however, be honored due to a variety of circumstances such as availability of agencies, identification of qualified field educators, etc.
Q: How do I enroll in field education?
A: Early in the spring semester of your junior year, you will be informed of a workshop schedule, via e-mail, in-class announcements, and posters. You are REQUIRED to attend one of them. At the workshop, the process is explained and the deadlines are set. Your field education application (PDF 21KB) is due at that time.
Q: What happens after I submit my field education application?
A: You are notified in approximately 2-3 weeks of your field placement site and the name of the field educator whom you should contact for an interview.
Q: What is the interview for?
A: It is an opportunity for you to become acquainted with the agency and the field educator. Treat it as you would any job interview. Check out the Career Development Center's homepage for opportunities to attend workshops on resume writing and interviewing to make certain that you are well prepared.
Q: What if I don't like my intended placement?
A: We encourage you to keep an open mind about the learning opportunity that any placement affords you. Sometimes, however, a change in circumstances (e.g., field educator resigns, agency reorganization, etc.) necessitates our changing your placement.
Q: I work full time. Can I use my place of employment for my field education?
A: Only under extenuating circumstances. You must file a special form, Request to Use Work site (PDF 16KB). Particular conditions must be met, including a field educator who is different from the person who supervises you at work, 15 additional hours, and assurance that the clients with whom you are working are different from the clients in your field assignment. For more details, contact the Field Education Coordinator, Deborah Renzi.
Q: When do I start?
A: Unless you are working in a school district that follows its own academic calendar, you are expected to begin your placement the first week that classes begin in the fall and in the spring. Your ending date is ordinarily the week before critique and evaluation period.
