Field Education

fieldThe School of Social Work believes that the application and integration of theoretical knowledge in the field placement experience are essential to the provision of a rich social work education. The School is committed to excellence and views field education as intrinsic to that commitment.

Supervised field placements provide students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities leading to an enhanced understanding of social work practice.

Quality Experience
The field education faculty consists of three full-time faculty members, plus a faculty member in the Presque Isle Program, whose primary responsibilities are to ensure that students have a quality field education experience. All students (with the exception of advanced standing students) are expected to complete two field placements of 600 hours each. Advanced standing students complete one field placement with a minimum of 600 hours.

Students average 20 hours per week in their field placements, which begin in September and end in April. All receive at least one and a half hours of field instruction per week from an M.S.W. field instructor. Under certain conditions, students have the opportunity to do a field placement at their place of employment. Block placements are also an option for certain students.

Diverse Settings
Through negotiations, the faculty have developed placement sites that offer appropriate foundation and advanced year experiences. The School has an extensive number of internships in a variety of diverse settings such as health and mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, poverty and public welfare, women and children's services, domestic violence, homelessness and other emerging areas of service delivery.

Sites are available in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, and the School is continually developing new partnerships with agencies/organizations. The field faculty makes every effort to place students in the geographic area of her or his choice and in an agency/organization that meets their educational needs.

Student Choice
In keeping with the philosophy of the School, it is the student who chooses their field placement. Students begin field placement planning at the beginning of the spring semester in the academic year preceding the field placement. Students attend field planning meetings and meet with field faculty to identify agencies of interest to them.

Each student is assigned an advisor to help with the planning process. Particular attention is given to the fit between the agency/organization and the student, and students are encouraged to take an active role in the interviewing process. Students interview with several different agencies/organizations of their choice before making a decision.

Field Instructors
Field instructors are an essential component of the student's field placement experience and learning. All field instructors must have a minimum of two years post MSW experience and have a clear understanding of the philosophy and curriculum of the School, a desire to teach, a commitment to social work values and a sense of humor. All field instructors are required to attend three days of orientation and training during the academic year.

For more information, please feel free to contact:
Betsey Gray, 207-221-4508
Nancy Ayer, 207-221-4502
Amy Coha, 207-221-4504

Presque Isle Program
Wanda Anderson, 207-768-9498

 
   
 
   
Apply Online
Request Information
     

Back to Top

 
» Advanced Search