Field Practicum
- Student Information
- Instructor/Agency Information
- Agency Field Partners
- Social Work Field Education Manual
What is Field Practicum?
The field practicum gives students the opportunity to take on professional roles in order to learn skills, render services and participate in the provision and development of social work service. The experience reinforces the student's identification with the purposes, values and ethics of the profession; foster the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge; and promote the development of professional competence.
What are the requirements?
A minimum of 430 hours of beginning level generalist social work practice experience under the supervision of a professional social worker in an appropriate social agency is required during the last semester before graduation. Final authority for assigning the grade for this experience rests with the Field Director who will consult with the Field Instructor and the social work faculty liaison in determining the grade.
What is seminar?
During the spring semester of field instruction students enroll in and attend a field seminar. This three credit hour course meets weekly and is led by the faculty member serving as the student's faculty field liaison with the agency in which they are doing their fieldwork. This seminar provides an opportunity for students to engage in in-depth discussion and analysis of issues related to their application of the practice model. Meeting with students in other field instruction settings broadens their individual perspectives on social work practice and helps them to understand the commonalities of social work practice in different settings.
Supervision by a Professional Social Worker
It is the policy of the Meredith College Social Work Program that all field students receive supervision by persons holding a professional degree in social work from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. All field instructors must hold the MSW degree and a minimum of two years professional experience or the BSW degree and a minimum of five years professional experience. In the unlikely event that the MSW or BSW supervision is not available in an agency that offers strong and appropriate learning experiences, the student will meet weekly with the faculty field liaison for professional supervision.
Field Instructor
To be considered as a field instructor, please complete the field instructor application. As a field instructor, you will need to complete the agency application as well.
Field Agency
For your agency to be considered, please complete the agency application so that we may better match our interns to an agency.
Field Instructor Training
Field supervisor Training Modules:
Field Education is The Signature Pedagogy
The Importance of Learning Styles in Field Training
| A special thank you to the following 2009 agency field partners! | |
| The Enhancement Center | KidsPeace |
| WakeMed Cary | Duke Raleigh Hospital |
| Raleigh Rescue Mission | Cornerstone |
| Rex Rehab & Nursing | Interact |
| NC Department of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention | Sunnybrook Healthcare and Rehabilitation |
| Barwell Road Elementary School | El Pueblo |
| Timber Drive Elementary | McGee's Crossroad Elementary |
