Welcome to the MSW Program Field Education

Field Education is an essential part of the students learning experience in the MSW Program. It is where classroom learning comes alive by providing students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to real life situations. Field Education gives students the chance to learn and practice social work skills in a variety of human service agencies as well opportunities to explore career choices and practice interests.

Students are placed in Human Service Agencies under public or private auspices across the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Field Placements include mental health clinics, psychiatric and medical hospitals, community health centers, schools, prisons and criminal justice systems, nursing homes, substance abuse treatment programs, and child welfare agencies.

The Administrator of Field Education and the Field Coordinators work closely with students to identify placements that best meet learning needs and professional interests. We are always looking to expand our field placement resources. Please contact Carolyn Masshardt, Nancy McFadden, or Nasreen Shibli if you have suggestions for placements or agencies you would like us to explore.

Full time and part time students participate in two placement experiences that provide for the integration of the student's learning in social work. Full time students are placed in a single social work setting for 16 hours per week during the first year under the supervision of an MSW professional. In their second year, students are placed in a single social work setting for 20 hours per week under the supervision of an LICSW professional. Part time students are placed in two separate single social work settings beginning in their second year. Part time students are required to complete 16 placement hours per week under MSW and LICSW supervision for the first placement, and 20 in the final year. Part time students begin their Concentration Year Placement during the summer of the third year. Advanced Standing students participate in one field placement experience for 20 hours per week under the supervision of an LICSW.

Back to Field Page

Last Modified: October 19, 2012