Field Planning and Placement Information

Learn more about the MSW field placement process at UNE Online

Field placement is the opportunity for students to integrate their coursework into a real-life practice situation. Students will have the opportunity to learn about local resources, network in the community and develop and hone clinical skills.

Traditional track MSW students will complete two field placements/internships in their local community. (Generalist year 400 hours and specialization year 500 for a total of 900 hours.) Students admitted as advanced standing will complete just one field placement at the end of their academic course work. (This placement is 500 hours).

We now offer three field options to our students:

Traditional Placement
32 weeks   |   Seminar and In-Agency

Block Placement
16 weeks   |   Seminar and In-Agency

S.O.S. (Simulation and Onsite Model) Placement
16 weeks   |   Seminar and Virtual Simulation​​​
16 weeks   |   Seminar and In-Agency

You will be responsible to research, locate and initiate this site/placement, but will be supported in this process by a UNE field planner.

You will begin the process of working with a UNE field planner months before you enter either placement. The field planning process is set up to support you in your search, answer questions, and guide you in paperwork as well as the field process. It has set deadlines that must be met in order for the student to move into their field placement.

The first placement will occur at the end of your first year course work.

Unlike your academic courses which allow you to be in any location, your field placement will require you to be on-site at the field agency (for up to 32 weeks (all at one site)).

  • During the first field placement, students engage in generalist social work. This means doing tasks such as case management, program review, assessments, crisis intervention etc. (This is not a complete list).
  • The specialization (second) placement will depend on the student’s interest; it will involve clinical therapy, and may involve forensic assessments, program development, program review, etc. (This is not a complete list)

Many of our students have questions about how the field placement may impact their current employment and life.  Most students do continue to work as they enter the field placement with some adjustments to their current schedule. Adding up to 20 hours of field/seminar work a week to an already full schedule will require flexibility, time management and a lot of support.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions about application requirements, the coursework or program requirements, please speak to one of our enrollment counselors at the email or phone number below.