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Field Education
Welcome to Field Education
Field Education is offered concurrently with academic study. Students are assigned to a social service agency and complete an internship placement under the guidance and supervision of an experienced professional social worker called a Field Instructor. This vital interaction is designed to reinforce our students' academic study with real life experience. It permits testing theory in practice settings and provides students with field experience that is vital for academic and professional development. Affiliated social service agencies in several Arizona communities are utilized for field instruction. These agencies provide our students with a wide range of social service settings for Field Education.
| Field Instructors are professional social workers who are employed by affiliated social service agencies where the students complete their internship (Field) placements. Field Instructors are School of Social Work volunteers. They complete required certification training prior to hosting student interns at their agencies. Field Instructors are committed to the professional development of new social workers, and devote their time and expertise to our students' professional development. Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) students are assigned to one field placement for the academic year (two consecutive semesters). Master of Social Work (MSW) students are required to complete their first academic year (Foundation year) in one field placement, and their second academic year (Concentration year) at an agency that is specific to the student's area of interest in Advanced Direct Practice (ADP), Planning, Policy, Administration and Community (PAC), or other area of specialization. |
The Advanced Standing Program is an intensive one-calendar-year program for qualified MSW students. Advanced Standing students complete one internship placement during their concentration year. In assigning the field placement, our School of Social Work Field Education Office considers the student's educational needs and career goals. Provisions for students to utilize their paid employment as a Work Variance Request are available for students who meet the required criteria. Our School of Social Work faculty and staff are committed to establishing the capabilities necessary for high quality social work practice.
Our School of Social Work mission is to prepare social work practitioners who are committed to social justice and to serving and empowering individuals, families and communities. Our School contributes to the development and dissemination of social work knowledge and skills, and affirms professional values and ethics. Our School emphasizes understanding and respect for the unique social, political and cultural diversity of the Southwest.