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 SW4189 Syllabus further defines the philosophical base and overall goals for the BSSW field practicum.
BSSW students enter their field placement in Autumn Semester of their senior year. During Spring Semester of junior year, the SW4189 Field placement Questionnaire is to be completed by the student online. 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 meeting are held by the Field Education Office to explain and clarify the field placement selection process.
Once the Field Education 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 Education Office following the pre-placement interview.
During the initial weeks of placement, students and their field instructors develop a learning agreement that identifies the goals and objectives to be accomplished while in field practicum. Students and their field instructors will also complete semester performance evaluations and field placement time sheets.
While in field placement, students attend biweekly Field Education seminars, SW4188, 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.
BSSW Field Placement Hours & Credits
| Semesters in Field Placement | 2 consecutive (Autumn, Spring) |
| Total Hours | 420 |
| Hours per Semester | 210 |
| Hours per Week | 15 in agency (14 weeks per semester) |
| Credits | 5 per Semester |
| Grading System | Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory |
If you have any further questions about the BSSW Field Placement please contact the Field Education Office at 614-292-7686 or cswfield@osu.edu.
