Field Education

According to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE):

Field education is the signature pedagogy for social work. Signature pedagogies are elements of instruction and socialization that teach future practitioners the fundamental dimensions of professional work in their discipline: to think, to perform, and to act intentionally, ethically, and with integrity.

The field setting is where students apply human rights principles from global and national social work ethical codes to advance social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. It fosters a learning environment where anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion are valued. Field education is designed to integrate the theoretical and conceptual contributions of the explicit curriculum in the field setting (CSWE, 2022).

To learn more, visit: Students | CSWE

Field practicum, also known as field education or internship, is a critically important learning opportunity for social work students entering the profession. Field practicum is a requirement toward earning a BSW and/or MSW degree. 

For BSW students, the field practicum semester occurs during the fourth and final semester of the program. Generally, the field practicum start date aligns with the first week of the semester and ends within a week of graduation. BSW students are required to complete 480 hours over the course of one semester, averaging 30-32 hours per week.

For MSW students, the field practicum occurs over the course of two semesters or one full academic year. MSW Foundation placements are 150 hours per semester, averaging 10-12 hours per week for a total of 300 hours. MSW Concentration placements are 300 hours per semester, averaging 20-22 hours per week for a total of 600 hours.                                                

Field placements occur in a variety of non-profit, medical, educational, and human service settings.  During the field practicum semesters, students enroll in field practicum credits and the field seminar course concurrently (BSWs = SW444/445; MSW Foundation = SW615/616 and SW625/626; MSW Concentration = SW635/636 and SW645/646).

BSW Field Manual

MSW Field Manual

Key Terms 

• Field Practicum: Undergraduate (BSW) or Graduate (MSW) field experience also referred to as an Internship or Field Experience.
• Field Agency: The approved host site for the Field Practicum.
• Field Instructor: The person employed by the Field Agency who has a social work degree from an accredited social work program and has a minimum of two years of professional social work experience. The Field Instructor supervises the Field Practicum and is required for both BSW and MSW field placements.
• Task Supervisor: The person employed by the Field Agency that provides supervision for the Field Practicum and does not have a social work degree. Task Supervisors are not required for field placements and are considered a supplemental supervisor.
• Field Director: The St. Cloud State University faculty member that directs the Field Education Program.
• Field Faculty Liaison: The St. Cloud State University faculty member that teaches the Field Seminar course and provides oversight for the Field Practicum.

All field practicum experiences and agencies must be approved by the Director of Field Education and the Department of Social Work.

BSW

BSW students prepare and apply for the field practicum during the SW442: Professional Development course. Students take the lead in the application process and are provided with information, tools, resources, guidance and support to prepare for communicating with field agencies, interviews and securing the field placement. BSW students will secure a field placement by the end of their third semester of the program.

MSW

MSW students prepare and apply for the field practicum in late March and early April with the support of the Director of Field Education and the MSW Program Director. Students are self-directed in their inquiries and application process; students take the lead and are provided with information, tools, resources, guidance and support to prepare for communicating with field agencies, interviews and securing the field placement. MSW students are strongly advised to secure a field placement by early to mid-May preceding the start of their academic coursework; the placement start date will align with the beginning of fall semester.

Once a field placement has been offered and accepted, the student:

• Arranges a start date and orientation with the field agency
• Requests a Field Practicum Experience via Handshake

Internships in the Career Center | St. Cloud State University (stcloudstate.edu)

Once the Handshake request has been submitted, the Director of Field Education:

• Reviews and approves the request
• Emails the required pre-placement forms and key field practicum details to the Field Instructor, Task Supervisor, and Student

Once the Pre-Placement Forms are received, the student:

• Reviews, completes, and signs the forms and works with the Field Instructor/Task Supervisor to ensure forms are completed and signed by the identified deadline.
• Returns the completed forms to the Director of Field Education who then reviews and signs-off, approving the field placement.

*Students must not start any Field Practicum experience until the Handshake request, pre-placement forms, and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) are signed and on file with the Department of Social Work and St. Cloud State University.

The program does not find the internship and instead, the student takes the lead with researching and identifying agencies where they wish to apply based on their professional goals and aspirations. The Social Work Program/Field Director provide advising, consultation, and support every step of the way. 

Students are allowed to begin onboarding processes with agencies up to one week before the semester begins. Onboarding may include agency orientation, workshops, and/or other training opportunities.  Students are not allowed to meet with clients before the semester begins.

BSW students complete their hours within the span of one semester. MSW students complete their hours over the course of two semesters. MSW students may consult with their Field Faculty Liaisons and Field Instructors to determine an appropriate plan that allows for continuity of care for clients and a break for students.

Students are allowed to reduce hours toward the final two weeks of the field practicum if they are significantly over the required number of hours. Students will work with their Field Faculty Liaisons and Field Instructors to determine an appropriate plan. Students are not allowed to end the field practicum more than one week prior to the end of the semester.

Students will work with their Field Faculty Liaison and the Director of Field Education to determine a plan for completion of hours and graduation on a case-by-case basis. Completing less than required number of hours may necessitate incomplete or in-progress grades.

Summer field practicum is not offered at this time.

New field agency partners are welcome! All new agencies will need to meet with the Director of Field Education and complete the field agency application in order to be screened and approved to host students. Once approved, students will be encouraged to request a field practicum with the agency.

Contact the Director of Field Education to determine if the field practicum is an option and to identify a potential field instructor to provide off-site, supplemental supervision.

Contact the Director of Field Education for assistance and coordination with the College of Health and Wellness Professions Dean’s Office. Students are responsible for completing the steps and covering the costs associated with an approved background check.

Students may have the opportunity to complete a field practicum experience within their place of employment. There are additional requirements for students and field agencies in this circumstance, including the completion of a learning plan.

Employment-Based Field Practicum Learning Agreement

• BSW Field Agency List
• MSW Field Agency List