The MSW field practicum consists of two separate field practica experiences. The first experience, Foundation Field, SOWK 5410 and 5411, is a concurrent Field experience that normally begins in the spring and ends in the summer. For full-time students, this experience begins in their second semester in the program. For part-time students, it begins in the Spring semester of their second year. Foundation Field provides comprehensive student learning in an applied setting.
Foundation field emphasizes generalist social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Both courses focus intensively on values and ethics, populations at risk, human diversity, and social and economic justice as these issues impact on the delivery of social services in the agency context. Field instruction provides in-depth study and application of social work concepts, methods and skills. The student's understanding, knowledge, and skills are challenged and tested in field practice. The successful completion of both courses requires students to develop adequate beginning level skills in providing refined and in-depth generalist social work services. Each student, after completing the required courses, is assigned to a field placement selected by the Faculty Field Liaison in coordination with the Field Director and student.