BSW Field Education
During BSW field education experiences students learn how to practice generalist social work under the direct supervision of a field instructor at a School approved field agency. This “hands on” internship, which is a course, allows students to experience, integrate and practice classroom learning with actual clients, community organizations, and agency programs. Thus, students have multiple opportunities to achieve learning goals as set forth in the BSW Field Education syllabi.
Students intern at the same field agency for both fall and spring semesters on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for a minimum of 280 clock hours per semester. Concurrent with the field agency internship, students participate weekly in a field integrative practicum. The seminar instructor, who is also the faculty field liaison to the agency and field instructor, monitors student progress in the internship through two on-site evaluations per semester with the student and the agency field instructor.
Eligibility to enter BSW Field Education is determined by acceptance into the BSW Professional Program. Students must make a separate application for placement at a School approved agency. The BSW Field Education Coordinator places students in agencies. That process, along with other information, is outlined during a field education orientation in early spring semester. Additionally, students participate in a field education preparation workshop held a few days prior to the start of fall semester.
Field education experiences offer supportive and demanding opportunities to develop a social work identity and to forge the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to practice generalist social work.
For further information visit Field Education – BSW Program or contact Zoe Johnson zoe@uga.edu.