Field Education

Field Education—Real World Experience

Field Education is an integral part of the GSSWSR Master of Social Service (M.S.S.) and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) curriculum. The Field Education component of the curriculum provides students with supervised observational learning and practical “hands-on” social work experience in preparation for professional social work practice. Completion of field placement is required for the M.S.S. degree.

Field Education is designed to assist students in the integration of theoretical and conceptual knowledge acquired in the classroom with the direct application of the practical knowledge in their field settings. Field Education prepares students for advanced practice through the mastery of the CSWE EPAS core competencies augmented by knowledge and practice behaviors specific to a concentration. This competency-based approach is based on the measurement of specific practice behaviors. Students will be able to demonstrate the integration and application of competencies in their field practice.

Field Education Requirements

All full and part-time students must complete four semesters in their field placement. Part-time students carry out field education in the second and third years. (For more information about Part-time student schedule in field please visit our FAQ page in the section: If I am a part-time student, what is the time requirement for the field placement?)

Advanced Standing M.S.S. students complete two regular academic semesters in their field placement within a one year period. This occurs in the fall and spring semesters. Advanced Standing Students are in the field the equivalent of three full (8-hour) agency work days/week throughout their field placement experience, in fall and spring semesters.

Foundation (first year) M.S.S. students are in the field the equivalent of two full (8-hour) agency work days in both fall and spring semesters.

Advanced Clinical and Community Practice concentration M.S.S. students are in the field the equivalent of three full (8-hour) agency work days/week in both fall and spring semesters.

Applicants are admitted with the understanding that they must be available for field placements a minimum of eight hours/week during regular working hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) as part of the two- or three-day/week requirement in field, and that the availability of a field placement occurring only during evening and/or weekend hours is not guaranteed.