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Fieldwork Guidelines

Guidelines for MSW First Year (Foundation) and Second Year (Specialized) Practicums

MSW First Year (Foundation) Practicum

  • Students are expected to complete 400 clock hours in field, approximately 16 hours per week over two semesters. Foundation year students in the main campus and external programs begin fieldwork after they have completed their initial five weeks of classroom learning. Students should complete 160 hours their first semester, 240 hours second semester. Students in the online program begin field in their second semester and begin the first week of the second semester classes and complete 400 total hours (200 per semester)
  • Develop basic skills in psychosocial work with families, individuals, and small groups as well as organizations and the community
  • Learn foundation competencies of social work practice
  • Utilize NASW Code of Ethics when making decisions
  • Demonstrate cultural awareness
  • Students should practice assessment, engagement, intervention skills, and evaluation within the context of case management, psychoeducational groups, policy and macro level work
  • Students should be under the supervision of a Licensed Master Social Worker when working with clients
  • Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services. Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services
  • Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that respond to emerging local, regional, and societal trends to advance well-being
  • These guidelines are spelled out more clearly in the MSW foundation learning plan
  • Students must identify themselves as a social work intern and may not refer to themselves as a social worker

The following is not considered within the scope of practice for MSW First Year (Foundation) students:

  • Risk Assessment
  • Mental Status Exams
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Homicidal Ideation
  • Delusions/hallucinations
  • Mental Health Evaluations
  • Therapy (or counseling equivalency)
  • Diagnosis
  • Students should not dispense any type of medication, or
    physically restrain clients

If you have any questions about the appropriateness of activities in your field setting, please consult with your program field coordinator for clarification.

MSW Second Year (Specialized) Practicum

  • MSW Advanced students are expected to complete 600 field hours over the course of two semesters, approximately 20 hours per week
  • Students are expected to develop depth in social work practice knowledge and skills sufficient for competent, self- evaluative, accountable and ultimately autonomous practice
  • Students learn clinical, organizational, policy, and administrative skills necessary for promoting social justice and equality, and for enhancing the quality of life for all people
  • Students emphasize specialization related to direct social work practice with individuals and families.
  • Learn and use advanced intervention skills
  • Practice diagnosis and treatment planning, crisis intervention, initial/intake assessments
  • Learn and practice completing risk assessments, mental status exams, mental health evaluations
  • Students should be under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker when working with clients in a clinical capacity, or a social worker working toward this level of licensure
  • Students may be supervised by a Licensed Master Level Social Worker if they are working on macro level projects, psychoeducational groups, case management
  • Work collaboratively with others to effect systemic change that is sustainable
  • Analyze, evaluate, formulate, and advocate for policies that respond to emerging local, regional, and societal trends to advance well-being
  • These guidelines are spelled out more clearly in the MSW specialized learning plan
  • Students must identify themselves as a social work intern and may not refer to themselves as a social worker

The following is not considered within the scope of practice for MSW Second Year (Concentration) students:

  • Students should not dispense any type of medication, or physically restrain clients
  • Any diagnosis, risk assessment, mental status exam, and treatment must be signed or co-signed by field agency supervisor

If you have any questions about the appropriateness of activities in your field setting, please consult with your program field coordinator for clarification