The field placement process actually begins in February with the annual Field Fair/Career Day.  At this event, current students have the opportunity to meet with prospective field instructors and agency representatives in anticipation of field placement for the next academic year.

Students who enroll for a field placement must first submit an Application for Field Placement Form in order to request a field placement. This form is found on our field forms webpage at:

http://cosw.sc.edu/field/forms/index.html

Students can begin field placement only after the Field Education Office confirms a placement after receiving the Application for Field Placement and the student meets the requirements of the agency site.  Please see potential site requirements at

http://cosw.sc.edu/field/siterequirements/requirements.pdf

Students in a foundation field placement register for SOWK 781/782

Students in an advanced field placement must first choose a concentration:

Individuals, Families and Groups:            SOWK 783/784  

or

Organizations & Communities:     SOWK 785/786

The College maintains an array of agency field placement sites for foundation and advanced students.  Many agencies have websites.  Visit http://cosw.sc.edu/field/agencies.html.

The College is ultimately responsible for determining where a student will be placed for their field placement(s). Both the student and field instructor will receive a letter of confirmation from the Field Education office. Once placements are confirmed, changes are made only under special circumstances and only with the approval of the Director of Field Education. In most cases, students and field instructors will be asked to work closely with their field liaisons to problem-solve issues so as to prevent reassignment in your field placement.

Please refer to the field placement process at http://cosw.sc.edu/field/placementprocess.html

An important part of the placement process is the student interview with the prospective field instructor. The student is expected to discuss their goals, appropriate background, issues that may inhibit the successful completion of the practicum, and expectations with a field instructor.  Below is a partial list of questions which you might want to consider asking during your initial appointment.

College of Social Work

Pre-placement Visit Questions

Students are expected to interview at potential field placement sites.  Both the student and the contact person at the site should explore the appropriateness of this placement.  Below is a list of questions which you may want to consider asking during your interview.

1.    What are some of the significant things I might learn in this placement

2.    What specific skills will I be able to develop at this agency?

3.    What kinds of skills do you hope a student will bring to the agency?

4.    What activities, tasks, and/or projects will I be able to undertake?

5.    Is there an orientation process that I can go through?

6.    What is a typical day at this agency?

7.    How would you describe your style of supervision?

8.    What kinds of cases and/or projects do you anticipate assigning to me?

9.    What are the normal hours for a student to work during the week?

10.  Do you have weekends or evening hours?

11.  Will I be working with other agency staff? 

12.  Does the agency have other requirements before I can be placed such as background checks, drug screens etc.?

13.  Are there any safety issues?

14.  Are there opportunities to participate in advocacy/social change issues?

If you are comfortable doing so, you could ask some of the following questions:

15.   How long have you been at this agency?

16.  What are your responsibilities?

17.  What do you most and least like about your job?