MSW Concentration Field Education Orientation Notes
Social Work Students,
Please find below another checklist to assist you as you move into your concentration year of
your field placement. This checklist should be used in conjunction with your MSW Field
Application Schedule. We hope that this note/checklist will support your journey of discovering
the field placement perfect for you, not a perfect field placement.  Since there is no particular
order to this checklist, it is our recommendation to read this entire document prior to beginning
your field placement search.
Review Field Application Schedule for due dates
Submit Field Education paperwork (Note: for your convenience, we are moving toward
Electronic submissions)
Procure Field Instructor with a MSW or MSSA degree and Two (2) years post-degree
experience and a minimum of one (1) year at the agency
Begin agency interview process immediately
Be aware that field assignments will be made by date listed on field education
orientation schedule
A Concentration student in the Field is searching for a Micro or Macro placement only
Micro Concentration = individual, family, small group problem solving process; casebased research
Macro Concentration = organizational, neighborhood, community development;
Administration, (budgeting, fundraising, staff recruitment/development); policy
development; program/service development/implementation (grant writing, needs
assessment, outcome measures,) legislation; accreditation; program research
Field Education Concentration must match Course Concentration as noted by the
Agency roster you review (Micro or Macro)
Concentration Field = Two (2) required Learning Areas- Micro or Macro Practice &
Professional Development (see Student Integrative Learning Contract)
Concentration Field = 250 hours per semester; 17 hours per week
Field Placement in the same agency, two (2) consecutive semesters –Fall and Spring
Semesters
Start and end field semester at same time as classes (see MSW Field Calendar)
No field allowed over holidays or semester breaks
All missed field time must be made-up within the semester
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MSW Concentration Field Education Orientation Notes
Write Field at Place of Employment Proposal (FAPE) if doing Concentration field where
you work, specifying field time in blocks of minimum 3 hours or more. Remember- Field
activities must be different from work activities. Field instructor must be different
from work supervisor.
Note (*) on “Prior to Interview Form” if exploring agency not on the roster
Copy Agency Acceptance form as needed
Dress as for a job interview (you are presenting the professional ‘you’ and representing
the University of Akron)
Update your resume- may be needed
Review “Some Guidelines for Practicum Selection” for interview question preparation
(This section is in continuous review and updating is frequent)
Review “Mock Email” as you craft your professional introduction to agencies
Take time to think about what you want to learn in advanced practice
When interviewing talk about 17 hours of concentration learning/week, mutuality of
schedules, need for liability insurance, physicals, costs to you, required orientations
Communicate your appreciation for any interview with a verbal and written thank
you to every agency where you interviewed
Questions –
Please contact Professor Becky Thomas @
bthomas@uakron.edu or by phone
330-972-682
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