Field Practicum Fact Sheet for Students
Commonly Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between foundation and advanced placements?
A: Foundation placements take place during the first
year and advanced placements take place during the second year of
a full-time program. For part-time students, the foundation placement
occurs during the second year and advanced placements during the
third year.
Foundation placements provide students the opportunity to apply
the generalist model to practice as they assess and develop or enhance
their beginning level practice skills with individuals, families,
groups communities and organizations. Advanced placements allow
students to work within their area of concentration where they are
expected to take on more complex practice task, function more independently
and demonstrate advanced skills e.g. multi-system assessments and
multi-modal interventions or program development.
Q: Can I choose my own field placement?
A: Students may research and identify agencies/placements
in which they are interested. However, students may not interview
with potential field agencies without prior approval from the Director
of Field.
Q: Can I do my field placement where I work?
A: Yes, however, in addition to the regular Application
for Field, students must submit a Work Site application and have
the field placement approved by the Director of Field. The student
must indicate how the field placement will differ from their regular
employment since the two cannot be the same. The field instructor
must be different from the student’s regular supervisor and
have two years post MSW experience.
Q: How many hours are required for field?
A. The foundation field is two semesters and totals
400 hours. The advanced field is two semesters and 550 hours, 600 hours for School Social W\ork. Placements
average two days a week, begin in August (the first day of class)
and end in May.
Q: I work full time. May I do my field placement during
the evenings or on weekends?
A: Evening and weekend placements are occasionally
possible. Most agencies have business hours that are 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. with limited evening and weekend hours. Because all of our
classes are evening or weekend our class schedules may conflict
with the evening hours that the agency is open.
Q: When do the Field Seminars meet?
A. Each student is assigned to a Field Seminars which meets five times per semester from 4:00 - 5:50 p.m.
Attendance is required.
Q: When are applications for field due?
A: Applications for field are due by January 15th
each year. (July 1st for newly admitted full time students)
Remember: We are looking for a good learning
experience for our students and cannot compromise. The more restrictions
placed on the type of field placement (e.g. hours or days available,
geographic location or population served), the more difficult it
will be to find a field placement that meets graduate program standards.
All students must be in good academic standing to enter or remain
in Field.
Please direct all Field related questions to
the
Director of Field Education
Nadine Harris Clark
773-995-2843.
NH-Clark @ csu.edu
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