College of Social Work

field practicum

Overview
Become an Agency
Field Agency Database
Field Education Forms
Field Placement
Field Practicum Manual & Forms
Trainee License Information
Employment-based option
Single placement option

overview

Field instruction is one of the most vital components of the social work education experience, providing students with an opportunity to integrate knowledge learned in the classroom with supervised practice in the field. As students engage in agency-based practice, they are challenged to learn by reflecting on interactions with clients, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, advocating for the rights of clients, confronting ethical dilemmas, and improving cultural awareness. This experiential learning process allows students to develop and enhance the proficiency with which they practice as social workers, and better prepares them for the multidimensional nature of a social work career.

More than 500 Ohio agencies currently participate in the College of Social Work's field education program, providing students with learning opportunities in such settings as schools, child welfare agencies, hospitals, mental health centers, substance abuse agencies, domestic violence shelters, courts, prisons, and many others. Supervision is provided to all students in field placement by agency-based field instructors; experienced social work practitioners who are responsible for the education of the student while the student is at their agency. Complementary academic course work reinforces and enhances the field experience. In addition, students are closely monitored by a field liaison, who provides support and assistance to students and field instructors in order to maximize the quality of the field practicum learning experience.

The MSW manager at Mansfield arranges all placements and is committed to placing students in agencies that are compatible with their professional goals. Although placement in a particular agency or geographic location cannot be guaranteed, every effort is made to accommodate the interests of each student and requests for placement in a specific community within the state. To assure high quality field practicum settings, students may be required to travel within a 50 mile radius of the student’s hometown area.

Attention is also given to requests for the employment-based option, stipend opportunities, deviations in scheduling, and public transportation needs. Students are expected to provide their own transportation or use public transportation for their field placements, and are required to participate in the University's professional liability insurance coverage while in the field.

MSW field placement

The typical Master of Social Work program is comprised of two separate field placements. For Regular PT students, the first placement, (SWK 789), consists of 16 hours per week during Winter and Spring quarters. It occurs in an agency oriented toward generalist social work practice. The second placement, (SWK 889), is 24 hours per week during Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters for administrative and school social work, or Summer, Autumn and Winter quarters for clinical. It provides learning experiences in the student's chosen concentration of practice, clinical or administrative, and in fields of practice that reflect the student's professional interests. ASAP student only complete the 889 field placement and follows the same format as the regular part time program students.

First Year Field Placement (SWK 789)

Quarters in Field Placement	Total Hours	Credits	Grading System
2 consecutive (Winter and Spring)	320	4 per quarter	Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory

Second Year Field Placement (SWK 889 and ASAP Students)

Quarters in Field Placement	Total Hours	Credits	Grading System
3 consecutive	720	6 per quarter	Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory

In the first field placement, students are placed in human service agencies oriented toward a generalist social work practice. The focus is on social work with interrelated and interdependent human systems: individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The SW 789 Syllabus* further defines the philosophical base and overall goals for this placement.

During Summer quarter, students are asked to fill out a Social Work 789 Field Practicum Questionnaire* documenting the kinds of learning experiences requested. Field Practicum Orientations are conducted prior to entry into field in order to provide comprehensive information about the practicum experience.

The second year MSW field placement provides learning experiences in the student's chosen concentration of practice, clinical or administration, and in fields of practice that reflect the student's professional interests. The second placement is designed to permit students to achieve greater autonomy and to maximize skill development in the integration of theory and practice.

The SW 889 Syllabus* further defines the philosophical base and overall goals of the second year MSW placement. During Winter Quarter of 789, students are asked to fill out a SW 889 Field Placement Questionnaire* documenting the kinds of learning experiences requested for the second year placement.

Once placement is arranged, most agencies require an interview with the student to determine compatibility in regards to goals and expectations. Students must confirm placement with the MSW Program Office in Mansfield following the pre-placement interview. Students must track hours worked on the field hour log. ASAP students complete the SWK 889 ASAP FP* questionnaire at the beginning of their first spring quarter.

During the initial weeks of placement, students and their field instructors develop a learning contract that identifies the goals and objectives to be accomplished during the field practicum. Field instructors then submit quarterly performance evaluations of their students to the MSW Office in Mansfield.

Requests for deviations in scheduling must be discussed with the MSW Program Manager at Mansfield, approved by the Director of Field Education, and reflected in students' educational plans.

* Field Education Forms for Download

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trainee license information

We are pleased to announce that the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapy Board has approved the licensing of student social workers, as Social Work Trainees. The letter designation is SWT. This change, which represents considerable advocacy on behalf of the College of Social Work will allow agencies to expand their practice opportunities for social work students, and to place more students in direct practice opportunities. We anticipate that ODADAS and ODMH will include this category in their billing matrix later this year. This inclusion will allow agencies to bill for services provided by trainees under supervision.

All students who are not already licensed should plan on obtaining this trainee license, as we anticipate it will become an expectation of many field agencies. The instructions for applying for your license are below. There is no charge for obtaining this license.

Online Social Worker Trainee Application Instructions

1. Go to the Ohio eLicense Center

2. Under select a division choose Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Bd

3. Under select a profession choose Social Worker Trainee

4. Click on start application, and complete your application.

5. The College will be providing the Board with verification of your enrollment in field.

6. Please contact the field office if you have any difficulties in registering.

employment-based option

The employment-based option is intended for students who have a work setting suitable for a field practicum. Students cannot use their present employment position as field placement, but may petition to complete their field placement in a different service/department within their agency.

For option specifications and petition guidelines go to The College of Social Work's employment-based field placement site.

All paperwork, arrangement of placements and liaison for Mansfield program students will be completed by the Mansfield MSW program office.

single placement option

The college recognizes that some agencies may afford a student an educationally sound first (789) AND second year (889) field practicum experience. If a student wishes to petition to complete both 789 and 889 within the same agency, they may do so by completing the single placement option request (doc).

For more information or registration, please contact the MSW Office at:
Phone: (419) 755-4373
Email: mswmansfield@osu.edu