Students concurrently enroll in the social work policy-practice classes while enrolled in field work. The field program confirms placements after determining the best educational fit between the student's needs and the agency's learning opportunities. To determine this fit, students complete an application for field placements which is used to determine interests, educational needs, and placement options. Students participate in selecting their placements by meeting with field instructors to determine the appropriateness of the placement. The Field Coordinator reviews all applications for placement and develops a placement plan based on the student's educational needs and experience.
Students receive a maximum of three placement referrals.
If a student is rated unacceptable by all three of the assigned agency sites, the student will be considered for removal from the MSW program. After the Field Coordinator notifies students of their recommended placement, students are to schedule a personal interview with the agency contact person and confirm if the placement is acceptable. If a placement is not acceptable to the student, the Field Coordinator will recommend an alternative. Placement decisions for new students should be finalized by the third week of classes. Placements for second year students are finalized by the end of the previous semester.