Field education at the School of Social Work (SSW) provides an experiential opportunity to engage actively with the professional social work community, helping you bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice while developing the versatile, transferable skills necessary for your career path. You will spend between two and four semesters at your specialized field placement, ranging from 672 to 900 hours for advanced and non-advanced standing students, respectively. However, certain special programs require two different placements.
The SSW Office of Field Education (OFE) has over 1,200 placements, with 350 in Southeast Michigan. Each of our eight pathways has a variety of placements that align with their curriculum aims. You will work under the supervision of a qualified field instructor who will mentor you and help you prepare for your social work career.
During the placement process, you will work closely with our OFE Field Faculty to identify sites that meet program requirements and support your learning goals. Our dedicated Field Faculty ensure that both online and on-campus students are supported throughout the entire process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are accommodations available if I have a disability?
Absolutely! As in all courses, students are welcome (not required) to share their accommodation needs with the OFE when applying for their field placement to ensure the placement can accommodate them. Students with disabilities can work with the Services for Student Disabilities (SSD) on campus to obtain approved accommodations for both field and their other classes.
As an online student, what does my placement process look like?
The placement process depends on whether you live more than one hour from Ann Arbor. Students residing over one hour from Ann Arbor require a longer placement timeline, typically 6-8 months, and therefore need to begin the placement process earlier than peers living within one hour of the School. Local online students living within an hour of campus typically start the placement process about four months in advance. The field office will contact online students with relevant placement information after you accept your admission offer and throughout your time in the program.
As an online student, where can I do my placement?
As an online student, your placement options vary based on your geographical location. Students who reside in the Ann Arbor area will choose from a variety of placement options in the Southeast Michigan area. Michigan students who are more than approximately one hour from Ann Arbor and out-of-state students will typically be placed within 45-60 minutes from their residence.
Can I do my placement in another country/military base?
No. Students with specific scholarships, such as the Global Activities Scholars Program, may have the opportunity to complete their field placements outside the U.S. Students not in those programs must complete their field placements in the U.S.
Can I do my placement outside of typical business hours?
Students should plan to attend their field placement during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM). Placement sites largely operate during business hours, so there is no way to guarantee that students can obtain sufficient field hours outside those hours. We understand this can pose a challenge for some students, which is why we do not recommend that students pursue full-time employment while attending the School full-time.
Can I use my current job for my placement?
There is an option to participate in an employment-based placement (EBP). Once you are closer to starting the placement process, you can work with the field office to evaluate if your organization would be a good fit for an employment-based placement and fill out the EBP application.
Do I get to choose my placement?
During the placement process, you have the opportunity to look at the placement descriptions for relevant placements and identify your top priorities. You provide a ranking of your top three choices and the field office works to find an appropriate match for your goals and priorities across the many different placement sites. Given the dynamic nature of organizations and communities, your selections serve as a guide, not a guarantee.
Does my curriculum schedule affect what placements I can choose?
Yes. Your curriculum schedule can impact what placements are available. Hospital-based placements and private practices, for example, require 12- or 16-month students, as continuity of care is very important. On the other hand, school-based placements typically require a 20-month schedule, as there is not enough work available over the summer to meet the required hours.
What are some examples of field sites?
Your placement options vary by pathway. Some example placement sites include: hospitals, schools, government agencies, non-profit organizations, community clinics, private practices, refugee resettlement organizations, substance use and recovery facilities, senior centers, and legislative offices.
What is the time commitment?
If you are a full-time student, you can plan to spend between 16-24 hours per week in field. Most full-time non-advanced standing students are in field for 16 hours/week during their first semester in field and then 24 hours/week in their final two semesters. Part-time students often spend 16 hours/week across 4 semesters.
What will I do during my placement?
Your assigned tasks and responsibilities vary depending on your placement. However, when identifying placement sites, the OFE works to ensure that there are valuable learning opportunities and social-work-relevant tasks in each placement. At the end of each semester, students will write an educational agreement that outlines different parts of their placements that align with the core competencies and reflect on their learning.
What will my commute be like?
Students should expect to travel up to an hour each way for their placements — the School’s proximity to Metro Detroit provides the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients across many different settings. For local students without access to a car, there is some public transportation available, and all of our placement listings identify their proximity to public transportation; however, the lack of transportation access does narrow down your placement options.
Why do students do one placement instead of two different placements?
Instead of the typical “general” then “specialist” placement format, SSW students have the opportunity to complete a single continuous specialized placement aligned with their pathway. Focusing on one placement allows you to build a deep, meaningful relationship with your clients and the community you work with, while providing stability for your agency and supervisor. Participating in one placement also provides the opportunity to hone relevant, transferable skills over the course of at least three semesters at an agency that is tied to your career goals and interests.