| Field Education Student Handbook 2008-2009 (PDF) | Forms | Field Instructors and Field Agencies |

Fieldwork

The purpose of field education in social work is to provide the student with an interface between classroom education and actual practice.  The student is provided with opportunities to:

• Develop practice skills by applying classroom theory to real life situations
• Determine which approaches work in practice and how they must be adapted to specific situations
• Understand the effect of the organizational context on professional practice while developing skills in agency-based social work
• Learn to use supervision and consultation appropriately
• Begin to engage in self-assessment
• Develop a professional identity

Field education consists of both an agency placement (internship) with supervision provided by professional social workers and a weekly Field Seminar on campus.  Field placements are arranged for the student by the Program.  Once admitted to the MSW Program, students must then apply for admission to Field Education.  In order to be eligible for the Field Education portion of the MSW Program, students must have the ability to provide their own transportation to and from the placement agency and any agency related travel.  In addition, students must be able to pass a background check and provide proof of TB clearance.  Agencies throughout Southern California are utilized for student internships.

In the first year, or Foundation Year, the student will spend 16 hours per week in a field agency.  The student will attend a weekly Field Seminar on campus, facilitated by their Field Liaison.  The student will be supervised in the field agency by a professional social worker.  In addition, the Field Liaison will make at least one visit to the field agency during the semester.  The student will be required to complete the Field Journal and a weekly Process Recording.  The Foundation Year field placement experience provides the student with a “generalist” view of social work practice.

In the second year, or Concentration Year, the student will spend 16 hours per week in a field agency specific to their chosen concentration (Child Welfare or Community Mental Health) and a weekly Field Seminar.  Supervision, written assignments and agency visits will be the same as outlined above.  The Concentration Year field placement provides the student with advanced practice experience in a “specialized” area.

The Field Education Student Manual and all forms can be accessed by the links on the top.  Field Instructors and Agencies can also access materials through the links at the top.

For further information, please contact:
Christine A. Ford, MSW, BSN, LCSW, RN
Director of Field Education, Master of Social Work Program
(714)278-8479
cford@fullerton.edu

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the application form. If you do not have the software installed, please click here to download it from Adobe website.