Field Education

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) Field Placement

• The BSSW field placement provides students with an opportunity to engage in generalist social work practice.   Students are able to observe and participate in both direct and indirect service.   The SW 689 Syllabus further defines the philosophical base and overall goals for the BSSW field practicum.

• BSSW students enter their field placement in Autumn Quarter of their senior year.   During Winter Quarter of junior year, the SW 689 Field Placement Questionnaire is distributed to students.   This document asks for information on the kinds of learning experiences requested by the student, and thus assists the field staff in matching students with appropriate field placement sites.   Informational meetings are held by the Field Education Office to explain and clarify the field placement selection process.

• Once the Field Office arranges a placement, each student interviews with a contact person from his or her assigned agency in order to determine if the student and agency are compatible in regard to goals and expectations.   Students confirm placement with the Field Office following the pre-placement interview.

• During the initial weeks of placement, students and their field instructors develop a learning contract that identifies the goals and objectives to be accomplished during the field practicum.   Field instructors then submit quarterly performance evaluations of their students to the Field Office.

• While in field placement, students attend biweekly Field Education seminars, conducted on campus by field liaisons.   These seminars are designed to link class and practicum experiences and provide a supportive venue for shared learning by addressing a variety of social work issues.

• In addition, a social work practice lab course provides students with an introduction to practice-relevant communication through the use of discussion, role-play, interactive groups, and demonstrations with the help of audio-visual media.