Interested in Becoming a Field Instructor?

Is your agency interested in hosting Master of Social Work students?

The Office of Field Education continuously works to develop new field placement locations for our students. Field education is a required component of the MSW degree and provides both tangible and intangible benefits for all who participate.

This win/win collaboration gives you:

• The benefit of having passionate and enthusiastic students to support the agency and clients. 
• The opportunity to help shape the future of our profession.
• Access to free continuing education courses through the University of Michigan School of Social Work, networking and partnership opportunities, and access to the U-M library resources.

Students receive:

• Valuable guidance and mentorship as they start their career from field instructors who are dedicated professionals.

In their field placement, students are required to be supervised by a qualified MSW field instructor. U-M School of Social Work Field Instructor criteria and credentials align with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requirement that all master’s level field instructors possess a CSWE-accredited, CASWE-accredited degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE) or an internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree and two years post master’s social work degree practice experience in social work. If the field instructor’s role requires state licensure, we require the field instructor to have an active license and disclose their licensure information to the Office of Field Education.

Are you an agency interested in an interprofessional collaboration with social work but do not have a MSW on staff?

Please reach out to ssw-fieldoffice@umich.edu! We are interested in providing innovative field placement opportunities that we believe are mutually beneficial to both students and agencies. There may be opportunities for field instructor supervision to be provided through the Office of Field Education.

How to Begin

To begin the process, please email ssw-fieldoffice@umich.edu. Our program assistants will schedule a 30-minute initial informational meeting with the Director and/or Assistant Director of Field Education to discuss agency and field instructor requirements and answer your questions.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Thank you for your interest!