Placements for second year students are finalized by the end of the previous semester. The second year placement is in a different agency site from the first year. Proposed exceptions to this policy must be in writing and reviewed for approval by the students' faculty liaison and the field coordinator. By law certain agencies are not able to accept the placement of persons with prior felony convictions. Disclosure of misdemeanor convictions may be required to determine appropriateness of placement.
Many agencies initiate a criminal record background check.
If a student has a criminal record, and intends to pursue licensure, they are strongly advised to contact the Board of Behavioral Science for further information. The MSW program rarely permits a change in a placement after it is initially approved and has begun. Such a request will be considered only if there are unresolveable issues. At the request of the student or field instructor, the Field Coordinator or faculty liaison must meet with the student and field instructor and attempt to resolve the issue. If the issue is not resolved, the student must submit a written request to the faculty liaison or Field Coordinator stating the reasons for the request and describing the measures taken to resolve the issue.