Field Education FAQ's for MSW Students
How and when do I apply?
Foundation students and Advanced standing students include
their field applications with their application to the MSW
program. Concentration students submit their applications in the
late fall or winter before the summer or fall they plan to enter
a field placement. The application may be found on the
Social Work Department website under Field Forms. Remember to attach a
copy of your resume.
What happens after I turn in my application?
All field applications are reviewed and requests are matched.
Someone in the field office will contact you and give you the
name and phone number of a supervisor in your potential
placement agency. You will contact the supervisor to set up an
interview. After your interview, you will report back to the
field office and the field office will confirm your field
placement. If you have an agency in mind where you want to do
your field placement, we ask that you talk to the field office
FIRST.
How do I prepare for my interview with a prospective field
placement supervisor?
Treat this interview as if you were applying for a job in the
agency. Dress for success, not a college class. Be prepared for
the interview by researching the agency and go with a list of
questions to ask, such as "What do student interns do in this
agency?" Take your updated resume and remember
“professionalism.”
What happens after my placement is confirmed?
Before the start of the semester, touch base with your
supervisor. Review any correspondence from the Social Work Field
Office regarding any mandatory orientation to field and review
the field calendars on the Social Work Department website.
Confirm your start date and ask if there is anything that you
need to do before your first day. Some agencies require a PPD,
background check, driving record, etc.
How much time will I spend in a field placement?
Foundation year students spend 16 hours per week (2 days) in
field while school is in session, both fall and spring
semesters, September to May. Most students spend Mondays and
Wednesdays in field, but that may be flexible at times based on
the placement and student schedule. Concentration year students,
including advanced standing, spend 24 hours a week (3 days) in
field both fall and spring semesters OR 16 hours a week (2 days)
if they select to do a summer, fall and spring (May to May)
placement. At this time, we do not have any evening or weekend
field placements available. You will need to make yourself
available during the normal work week in order to complete your
field practicum. If you are working full time, you will need to
plan for daytime release time from your job to participate in
field practicum.
What kind of supervision will I receive?
You will receive supervision from an agency designated
master’s level social work supervisor, and you will have a
Salisbury University faculty member serve as your Field Liaison.
How many placements will I have?
Both semesters are spent in the same agency.
Can I do my field placement in the agency where I work?
Yes, an employment based field education option has been
developed for those students who would like to have their field
placement at the agency where they are employed. A student who
wants to pursue this option must submit a written proposal to
the Director of Field Education. Please see additional
information about this option in the student handbook under
Field Forms, Employment-Based Field Instruction Proposal.
Are there any paid field placements?
The only stipend available for field is through the
Title
IV-E Program. Stipends range from about $7,000 to $9,500 per
year. Please review the information on the Field Education
website link if you are interested in doing your placement in a
public child welfare program as it is restrictive and a
competitive process. You must do a field placement in a local
Department of Social Services in Maryland (Maryland Department
of Human Resources); you must seek employment after graduation
with DHR; you must be available to attend mandatory trainings on
campus throughout your field placement and in the spring in
Baltimore; and you must have a valid driver’s license. In the
event that you are not able to fulfill any of the commitments
set forth in your contract, you will be required to repay your
stipend to the school within 3 months.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information,
please contact:
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