Field Education Welcome

Welcome to the Master of Social Work (MSW) for Working Professionals Field Education web page. We are in the process of updating the field information to better reflect the student experience for those starting 2011. Please check back for up to date information.

An integral part of any social work program is the field education component. The field learning environment presents a unique opportunity for you to develop as an advanced social worker. It is a chance for you to combine academic theory with practice skills. This program will require that you partake in new learning opportunities throughout the duration of the field education that differ from your current employment.

Once accepted into the program, you will work with the field staff to organize and define your Internship ensuring that you meet the academic and field requirements. Through a collaborative process, the field staff will work with you to review your work history and learning goals to confirm your field assignment.

Advanced Program 

• Advanced Practice Internship (API) - a minimum of 450 hours completed (5 days per week) to be completed Fall 2013

All students are required to complete the Internship during the prescribed term. The reason for this is that students are required to complete all foundation/advanced coursework prior to beginning the Internship. There is a seminar course that is taken concurrently on Saturdays during the Internship. It is critical that the appropriate support staff are available to provide guidance and supervision to our students while in the field. 

Options for the Field Education

The field education component will be completed through one of the following options.

Internal Rotation - The organization understands that the candidate will complete an internal rotation where they will take leave from their current position for 13 weeks. This Internal Rotation includes a minimum of 450 hours per academic year while having new supervision throughout the duration of the placement. The new supervisor will possess a MSW with a minimum of two years full-time post-graduate work experience. The rotation will allow the candidate to experience new learning at the graduate level. This will take place during the prescribed field term(s).

Secondment/External Field Placement - The organization understands that the candidate will take leave from their current position for 13 weeks to accommodate a Secondment that will take place for a minimum of 450 hours per academic year. This opportunity will allow the candidate to have a new supervisor who will possess a MSW with a minimum of two years full-time post-graduate work experience. The Secondment will allow the candidate to experience new learning at the graduate level. This will take place during the prescribed field term(s).

Leave of Absence - The organization understands that the candidate will take leave from their current position for 13 weeks to engage in a field placement at another organization. This leave of absence will take place for a minimum of 450 hours per academic year. This opportunity will allow the candidate to have a new supervisor who will possess a MSW with a minimum of two years full-time post-graduate work experience. This will allow the candidate to experience new learning at the graduate level. This will take place during the prescribed field term(s).

The Council on Social Work Education in its Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards:

Field education is an integral component of social work education anchored in the mission, goals, and educational level of the program. It occurs in settings that reinforce students’ identification with the purposes, values and ethics of the profession; fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge; and, promotes the development of professional competence. Field education is systematically designed, supervised, coordinated, and evaluated on the basis by which students demonstrate the achievement of program objectives.

Field education is a requirement of the MSW for Working Professionals Program at the University of Windsor and successful completion of the field education course is required for graduation. The Graduate Field Program provides experiential educational opportunities directed toward the development of values, knowledge and skills required for advanced social work practice.

For further information contact: