fieldwork application procedures
APPLYING FOR FIELDWORK
Students must evaluate their program coursework and identify when they will be applying for fieldwork placements during their graduate program. Fieldwork placements occur in the Fall, Spring (January) and Summer block timeframes. Students must submit an application to the appropriate internship coordinator prior to the stated FIELDWORK DEADLINES depending on the timeframe selected to do their fieldwork.
Applying for a placement is a competitive process. Once a student's application is received by the internship coordinator, the placement process begins. Similar to a job interview, all students must interview for internship placements. The students' application are reviewed by the internship coordinator and the student is contacted and a referral is made to an agency or agencies for a phone screening and interview. Students are often asked to submit their resumes for screening by agencies as well before interviewing. Students are not guaranteed specific placements since the internship placement process is competitive. Students often compete with fellow students as well as students from other schools.
All fieldwork placements and sites must be approved by the internship coordinator. All potential agencies must be screened by the internship coordinator even if students initiate contact with a potential agency. If students are interested in specific agencies, they should communicate this to the internship coordinator.
The student's availability for the interviewing process can impact and often delay the placement process. It is important that students communicate with the internship coordinator and provide their dates of return to the Chicago area, whether they are out of the area due to study abroad, vacation or home visits. The internship coordinators will share this information with prospective placement sites. Students are also responsible for communicating with the internship coordinators regarding the status of the placement process, indicating if they are being offered or refusing a placement. Communication will keep the internship coordinator informed of whether additional referrals are necessary.
ACCEPTING A PLACEMENT
Placed student should complete a Student Information Form immediately after accepting a placement. this form can be found on the MSW FIELDWORK FORMS site. Within the first month of placement, the student should meet with their field supervisor to complete a student Student Learning Agreement. It is the student's responsibility to provide the supervisor with these forms.
NEXT STEPS
At the end of each semester, field supervisors will complete a Fieldwork Evaluation. Students will receive credit for their completed field placement, when the Fieldwork Evaulation is received by the Fieldwork Department. A grade will then be posted for the appropriate SWFI Field Instruction class. FIELDWORK DEADLINES are available online for students. It is the student's responsibility to provide the supervisor with these forms and deadlines.
