Social Work is a professional degree and our program requires two professional practicums (Field I – 120 hours, Field II – 450 hours). You will be well-prepared to take your licensure exam and begin practicing entry-level Social Work.
Introduction to Field Education
The Field education component at The College of St. Scholastica consists of two parts:
First, students participate in a “Introduction to Field Education” and a “Prep for Field II” course designed to prepare students to participate in the field placements. Students have the opportunity to assess their interests and abilities, familiarize themselves with available field placement sites, explore and develop professional interviewing skills, complete necessary placement documentation, and interview prospective field placement sites.
Field Placement: Putting Your Skills to Work
The second part is the field placement. The College of St. Scholastica offers two placement opportunities:
Field I
Junior-level students participate in a professionally supervised agency placement for a minimum of 120 hours in one primary agency setting. Students participate in direct client beginning level experiences that offer opportunities for moderate levels of independent decision-making and client/community intervention. If you have a comparable educational internship, you may have the opportunity to waive this Field I experience.
Field II
Senior-level students participate in a professionally supervised agency placement for a minimum of 450 hours in one primary agency setting. Students are expected to participate in direct client/community services that offer opportunities to demonstrate core social work competencies.
Students enroll in practice-focused coursework during their agency placement, including a bi-weekly field seminar. Learning outcomes are focused on the nine core competencies outlined by the Council on Social Work Education. These are: professional identity, ethical responsibility, critical thinking, diversity, social and economic justice, research, person In environment, policy practice, leadership and service.
- Students formalize a comprehensive performance plan, including evaluation criteria, within two weeks of placement.
- Student assignments include opportunities to develop skills in client system analysis, professional documentation and presentation, community resource development, and professional values and ethical considerations.