MSW Field Placement Criteria

Field placement sites are selected on the basis of their ability to meet the following criteria. These criteria have been established by the Council on Social Work Education (CWSE) and the School of Social Work.

• The field placement site (henceforth referred to as “site”) accepts the objectives and educational focus of the field instruction program.
• The site is committed to participation in professional social work education as a means of advancing practice and meeting community needs. 
• Site administrators and staff are willing to undertake, individually and collectively, the responsibilities of a teaching agency, including the provision of appropriate supports and adequate release time for field instructors to develop and maintain a sound educational focus in field teaching and learning. 
• The site is able to provide a qualified field instructor who has an MSW degree and minimum of two years of post-MSW practice experience. 
• The site’s philosophy of service is compatible with the values and ethics of the social work profession. 
• The site adheres to equal opportunity policies and procedures. 
• There is clarity in the site about its programs, goals, and methods.
• The staff is large enough and so deployed that the basic programs of the agency are maintained and developed without reliance on students. 
• The site is able to provide students with a variety of learning experiences that are commensurate with the goals and objectives of the field instruction program. 
• The site is committed to providing a designated (foundation and/or concentration) field experience. 
• The agency has adequate space and facilities to accommodate students (e.g., desk, access to telephone, interviewing facilities, and clerical support services).

Agency staff members are selected to serve as field instructors on the basis of their ability to meet the following criteria. These criteria have been established by the Council on Social Work Education (CWSE) and by the School of Social Work. The process of selecting and approving field instructors is conducted jointly by the agency and the School. Prospective field instructors must:

• Have an MSW degree from an accredited school of social work and a minimum of two years of post-MSW practice experience. 
• Be employed by the agency for at least six months prior to assuming field instruction responsibilities. 
• Possess a sound knowledge of the agency, its programs and policies, and the community it serves. 
• Have demonstrated the qualities and skills of a competent helping professional 
• Be committed to participation in professional social work education as a means of advancing practice and meeting community needs. 
• Accept the objectives and educational focus of the field instruction program; be willing to undertake, individually and in collaboration with other agency staff, the responsibilities of a field instructor. 
• Be interested in teaching students and be able to integrate theory and practice. 
• Be able to provide students with a variety of learning experiences that are commensurate with the goals and objectives of the field instruction program. 
• Be granted appropriate agency supports and adequate release time for field instruction tasks and activities; these include: (1) holding weekly supervisory conferences for one hour formally and having ½ hour of informal availability; (2) identifying and developing learning opportunities for students; (3) reviewing student cases, assignments, and recordings; (4) monitoring and evaluating student performance; (5) meeting with the faculty liaison; and (6) attending orientations, workshops and seminars sponsored by the School. 
• Be willing to work closely with the School to facilitate the education of students in placement at the agency. 

If you are interested in becoming an agency partner or field instructor, please contact Professor Lisa Zimmer, Director of Field Education.