Field education is a central component of graduate social work programs, teaching students to apply theory and knowledge learned in the classroom to social work practice in agency settings. As an Online MSW student, you will work directly with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities at human service agencies.
Field work assignments consist of diverse practice opportunities and include conducting face-to-face interviews with clients both individually and in group settings, allowing you to gain exposure to diverse problems and people, including oppressed populations.
As part of this training, you will also work with organizational or community representatives on behalf of clients. Your assignments may include community work, program development, social action or research.
Field courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.
Field Education Placement Opportunities
Regardless of where you live, our experienced faculty will work with New York State residents and out-of-state residents alike to find an optimal field work site. We are affiliated with more than 1,000 human service agencies throughout the New York metropolitan region, including, but not limited to:
- Child welfare agencies
- Community centers
- Detention centers and correctional facilities
- Domestic violence agencies
- Mental health clinics
- Medical and psychiatric hospitals
- Nursing homes and extended care facilities
- Residential treatment facilities
- Schools
- Substance abuse treatment programs
- Veteran’s programs
- Youth service agencies
How Field Education Works
The School of Social Work provides best-in-class field education support to students, beginning the planning process with you early in the Online MSW program. An Online MSW field coordinator works closely with you via virtual one-on-one meetings to identify and secure appropriate field work in your geographic area.
If you currently are employed by a social service agency, you may apply for an employment-based field placement with your organization.
We later assign a faculty field liaison to work closely with you, the field instructor and the agency to ensure that your field training experience meets established educational objectives. The faculty field liaison also provides academic advising and if you are an Advanced Standing student, you will meet with your field liaison at least once a month.
Prior to your field placement, you will be required to complete a field orientation where you will have the opportunity to ask the Online MSW program field coordinator specific questions.
Time Commitment and Graduate Requirements
Most Online MSW students can complete their field instruction in two to four semesters, depending on whether you work 15 or 21 hours per week. You must, however, have some daytime availability on weekdays to ensure we can find a field placement for you.
School placements begin in September and end in June. These placements require daytime availability and 18 hours of work per week.
In your foundation year field placement, you’ll complete a minimum of 475 hours of field instruction with an emphasis on developing foundation practice skills. In your advanced year field placement, you’ll also complete a minimum of 475 hours of field instruction in advanced, direct social work practice.
Advanced standing students come into the program with a BSW and must meet the following requirements:
- Complete an advanced year internship
- Complete additional hours of field instruction or other foundation courses if the BSW program is determined to vary significantly from Adelphi’s foundation curriculum.
Human Service Professionals (HSP) is designed specifically for human service professionals who have two or more years of social work related experience supervised by a MSW, MHC, MA or PhD in Psychology, or related field. Students must also meet the following requirements:
- Take a four-credit professional seminar, SWK 601, concurrent with the foundation practice courses
- Complete 900 hours of field instruction in the advanced year concurrent with advanced social work practice and methods course work
For detailed information on how field education fits in with the Online MSW course schedule, visit the Curriculum page.
Field Education FAQ’s and Resources
Advanced Standing | 475 hours |
For more detailed information about field education, contact an enrollment counselor at online@adelphi.edu who can connect you with a Field Education officer.
Resources for current student can be accessed here.