Fieldwork: M.S.W.
Field courses are usually taken concurrently with classes. The field course requirement comprises four sequential courses which are divided into two levels. Students typically are placed in an agency for two days each week at the first level of study (taking 500-level courses), and for three days each week at the second level (taking 600-level courses). In some instances, block placements and other variations may be arranged by the director of field instruction. Concurrent placements begin in September and end in May. Students are given two weeks of vacation over the Christmas break and one week of vacation for the Spring break. Students will negotiate the exact dates that they plan to be away with their field instructors.
A block placement requires the completion of a minimum of 60 working days for a first-level placement and a minimum of 90 working days for a second-level placement.
Credit will not be granted for less than the required hours as stated in the fieldwork manual of the School of Social Work (SSW). In most cases, given the clinical responsibilities of interns, the amount of time in placement will exceed the minimum hours.
SSW maintains an affiliation with many of the agencies, organizations and human services programs within Chicago and the larger metropolitan area. Students have the opportunity to work with clients representing a wide range of socioeconomic, racial and cultural backgrounds.
The placement of first-level students in field agencies is determined by the assessment of learning needs identified through information contained in the student's fieldwork application. Students at the second level of study are actively involved in the planning of their field placements.
Student field placements must be jointly approved by SSW and the field agency. It may not be possible to process field course applications that are received after the date announced each year.
Students are expected to arrange their schedules in order to field course requirements. SSW does not reimburse students for transportation costs to/from the field agencies.
Students in field courses and all other courses must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.
