What is Field Experience? - Simply, social work educational programs refer to your internship/practicum as your Field Experience.
How do I get started?
1. Contact Student Success Advising (or 1-800-925-3368) to determine when Field will begin according to your course track.
2. Attend Skills Lab or Residency (prior to beginning Field).
3. Submit your Field application for review.
4. For questions about your MSW Field Process contact us at MSWfield@mail.waldenu.edu.
5. For questions about your BSW Field Process contact us at BSWfield@mail.waldenu.edu
Do I have to find my own agency? - To enrich your experience, the Field Office offers you the opportunity to actively participate in the selection of your field placement. This is a time for you to explore your community, familiarize yourself with local social service agencies, and locate agencies of interest for possible field placements. See the Locating an Agency tab for further information.
All policies and procedures are documented in the Field Manuals. Please request a copy of the MSW Field Manual or BSW Field Manual from our Field Office.
All MSW and BSW students who enroll in a Skills Lab course prior to their field placement, will apply for their field placement during the second week of the Skills Lab Course.
Submitting an Application
Your application will be submitted through the Meditrek system. It is a product of HSoft Corporation, a user-friendly online tool that will help you apply for, track, and manage your Field Experience.
Meditrek:
Quarter | Application Deadline | Lead Agency Form Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
Spring 2021 |
December 14, 2020 |
January 4, 2021 | March 1, 2021 | May 16, 2021 |
Summer 2021 | March 15, 2021 | April 5, 2021 | May 31, 2021 | August 15, 2021 |
Fall 2021 | June 14, 2021 | July 5, 2021 | August 30, 2021 | November 14, 2021 |
Winter 2021 | September 13, 2021 | October 4, 2021 | November 10, 2021 | February 13, 2022 |
Spring 2022 | ||||
Summer 2022 |
Refer to Applying to Field - Meditrek to begin the application process.
The Field Office will work in partnership with you to secure your internship site during the search process:
Once your Field Experience has been secured and all necessary paperwork has been completed, you will be enrolled in your field course (Field Education) within two weeks of your start date. You may not start your hours until the course start date.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that you will be required to participate in a weekly synchronous call (meaning that you will meet with your classmates and professor in real time, face-to-face) with your Field Liaison and peers in your field course. Your Field Liaison will provide you the schedule for that video conference.
Remember that you will need to keep track of your hours, as well as complete a Learning Agreement with your Field Instructor (agency supervisor).
Refer to the Course Information tab for more about your field courses.