Field Education

How To Become An Affiliate

The College of Social Work welcomes the opportunity to explore new field practicum settings. Over 500 agencies throughout Ohio are currently affiliated with the field program. Agencies are selected based on their ability to provide students with appropriately structured learning experiences and quality social work supervision. A successful practicum requires both time and professional commitment. Agencies can initiate interest in becoming a field site by directly contacting the Field Education Office at 614-292-7686 or completing and mailing the Field Practicum Application Packet to:

The Ohio State University
College of Social Work
125 Stillman Hall
1947 College Road
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1162

Or Email to cswfield@osu.edu

A staff member from the Office of Field Education will contact you. Usually a site visit is made to further evaluate the agency's appropriateness as a field setting.   Upon selection, a faculty liaison is appointed to each agency in order to give academic support to the agency based field instructor. The College's curriculum provides educationally focused goals and objectives to guide the development of the practicum experience in each setting.    Student placements are made through a formal referral and pre-placement interview process, which allows for the negotiation of arrangements and expectations prior to placement confirmation.

In exchange for participating in our program and providing valuable services to social work students, the college provides the following benefits to field practicum agencies:

• Fee waiver credits
• OSU Library privileges
• An annual orientation for new and continuing field instructors
• Workshops which include free continuing education credits

The College appreciates your interest in the field practicum program and looks forward to receiving your application.