Field Students

Social Work You are IN

Having completed coursework for Field instruction, students register for SWR360 Field Practicum Planning Seminar which is taught each winter semester. SWR360 in which they are made acquainted with expectations, strategies, and resources for the successful completion of the upcoming two-semester internship. The internship takes place during the subsequent fall and winter semesters of their senior year of academic standing.  Before completing SWR360, prospective senior interns will have made themselves acquainted with the internship agencies affiliated with the University and, together with the Field Coordinator and the Liaison, students will select an agency where they wish to complete their internship. Subsequent to interviewing with and being accepted by an affiliated agency, they are assigned to said agency and begin their Field Instruction the ensuing Fall semester. 

Students will complete 220 field education hours per semester to total 440 hours for their field education during their senior year. Students typically average 16 hours per week with their field agency in order to meet the required 220 hours during the course of the semester. 

Strength Finders Information Gallup’s StrengthsFinder 2.0 is an integral part of our Social Work program. However, learning your Strengths and living from your Strengths are keys to your success in all areas of your life. We embrace a strengths-based philosophy of learning, professional practice, and leadership development. Many of our Social Work classes will integrate strengths based perspective.

Simply put: Talent + Knowledge + Skills = Strength

 

Helpful Resources for Field Education Students

Learning Contract

Interview Referral Form

Placement Confirmation Form

Field Hours Tracking Form

Roles and Responsibilities

Sexual Harassment Policy

Social Media Policy

Field Instructors

For social workers, the purpose of knowing and understanding how to help people cannot be overstated.  In the old days before the onset of formal education, apprentices learned their trade by watching their master’s practice. That apprenticeship system had certain advantages:  practical work began at once and was ongoing; instruction was given individually, or in small groups. 

Internship setting selection utilizes reputable social work agencies whose social work staff has the time, interest, knowledge, values, and skills to provide social work students with a good practical learning environment. It is essential to build relationships with our community partners to who provide the learning opportunities students need to earn their degree in Social Work. Without the support of our wonderful field placements our program would not be able to meet the Counsel on Social Work Education (CSWE) program requirements.

  • Field Instructors are required to hold an MSW or BSW with 2 years post-degree experience. 
  • Our program requires each student receives one hour of one-on-one supervision each week with their Field Instructor.
  • Students are expected to be in placement for 220 hours per semester, averaging 16 hours per week with their agency, for a total of 440 hours.

Field Education now operates under a model that supports student’s growth and development by providing smaller classroom sizes.  Both the Field Coordinator and Field Liaison are available to assist both students and agencies as needed. Site visits will happen one time during a semester for each student. We have a team committed to the development and success of our students. The goal of supporting the Field Instructor, task supervisor, agency and students is embedded within our program. We are here to assist both the student and our agency partners to celebrate successes and address any concerns.

 

Helpful Resources for Field Instructors/Task Supervisors

Field Agency Requirements

Field Agency Description Form

Learning Contract

Field Site Visit Report

Roles and Responsibilities

Sexual Harassment Policy

Social Media Policy

 

Interested in providing an internship opportunity for our BSW students? Please contact Kasie White, Field Education Coordinator, at knickelw@umich.edu or by calling (810) 762-3390. 

Our students are active and engaged in community partnerships and high impact learning beyond the classroom. Our BSW students complete 440 hours of fieldwork internship hours within Michigan and ground work is underway to extend student learning experiences internationally.

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CONTACT US

Social Work Department
303 East Kearsley Street
454 David M. French Hall
Flint, MI  48502-1950

Phone: (810) 762-3390

Fax: (810) 237-6541