MSW Student Guide
Section 2.07.01: Field Credit Requirements
The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is earned through satisfactory performance in 60 credits or, for advanced- standing, MasterTrack or MicroMasters MSW students, 45 credits of coursework. Field education constitutes 14 of the 60 credits, with 2 credits earned at the foundation level (SW 515) and 12 credits earned at the advanced level (SW 691) unless the student has been granted an exemption. Students must complete a total of 912 hours of field education with progressive demonstration of competency development, unless advanced-standing status has been approved. If students are granted advanced-standing status, they must complete 684 hours of field education and demonstrate progressive competency development. The field placement offers an opportunity for students to add depth and breadth to their previous experiences and apply concepts and theories learned in the classroom. This applied, experiential learning requirement provides students the opportunity to engage in MSW scope of practice activities under the direct supervision of a licensed masters social work field instructor. The field placement is an integral part of the MSW program and has strict standards from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) that must be adhered to. The School of Social Work does not grant field education credit for current (unless an employment based field placement has been approved, see volume 3 section 5.01 Employment-Based Field Placements Policy) or past work experience or life experience.
Each credit of foundation field education equals 114 clock hours. 2 credits or 228 field-site clock hours of foundation field education are required. Each advanced field education credit equals 57 clock hours. 12-credits and 684 field-site clock hours are required. The number of days per week that a student spends in the field placement setting is based on the number of credits registered for and is figured based on a 15 week term. Students need to enroll for a minimum of 16 clock hours of field per week for each term the student is enrolled in a field course (SW 515 and SW 691). Field placements may involve a combination of both in-person and hybrid learning activities.
One field day is considered to be that which the field setting defines as such, typically 7 or 8 hours. Students placed in settings such as public schools, where a typical work day might be less than 7–8 hours, should be especially careful in developing a field schedule to ensure that the required number of field hours is completed per term.
It is important to emphasize that field education involves progressive learning and demonstration of social work competency development, in addition to the completion of the required field education hours. Satisfactory competency development is the ultimate determinate as to whether students have met the field education requirement of the MSW program.
Each credit of foundation field education equals 114 clock hours. 2 credits or 228 field-site clock hours of foundation field education are required. Each advanced field education credit equals 57 clock hours. 12-credits and 684 field-site clock hours are required. The number of days per week that a student spends in the field placement setting is based on the number of credits registered for and is figured based on a 15 week term. Students need to enroll for a minimum of 16 clock hours of field per week for each term the student is enrolled in a field course (SW 515 and SW 691). Field placements may involve a combination of both in-person and hybrid learning activities.
One field day is considered to be that which the field setting defines as such, typically 7 or 8 hours. Students placed in settings such as public schools, where a typical work day might be less than 7–8 hours, should be especially careful in developing a field schedule to ensure that the required number of field hours is completed per term.
It is important to emphasize that field education involves progressive learning and demonstration of social work competency development, in addition to the completion of the required field education hours. Satisfactory competency development is the ultimate determinate as to whether students have met the field education requirement of the MSW program.