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Masters of Social Work Field Experience:
Prepare for Field Experience

Welcome to Field

Social Work internships at Walden University are referred to as "Field Experience" or "Field" for short. Field is an integral part of your social work program. The purpose of field is to integrate classroom learning with real social work practice. It gives you the opportunity to develop skills you will need as a professional social worker.

A productive field experience requires you to actively participate in the field experience process.

Review Important Materials

Before beginning field, you should review the following:

Correspond with your Student Success Advisor

Confirm the following with your Student Success Advisor

  • When you will begin field (varies depending on track). 

  • When you will take your Skills Lab course(s).

  • That you are on track to complete your pre-requisites prior to beginning field.

Understand Requirements

Skills Labs

Skills Lab is a course which gives you real-world experience and an opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty members and classmates. You are required to participate in two Skills Labs.

  1. SWLB 0651 - Skills Lab I: Complete after completing SOCW 6002; required before entering SOCW 6500 - Social Work Field Education I. (Exception: Advanced Standing students can skip Social Work Skills Lab I.)
  2. SWLB 0652 - Skills Lab II: Complete after SOCW 6510 and prior to enrolling in SOCW 6520 - Social Work Field Education III. (Exception: Advanced Standing students must complete Social Work Skills Lab II after SOCW 6111.)

For more information on the timing of when you will want to take your Skills Labs, when the course is offered, and how to attend, visit the Academic Residencies website. 

Field Hours

Standard Program and Accelerated Program Students - Two agency placements totaling 900 hours.

Generalist (Foundation Year) - Agency One

  • SOCW 6500 - 200 hours
  • SOCW 6510 - 200 hours

Advanced Practice (Concentration Year) - Agency Two

  • SOCW 6520 - 250 hours
  • SOCW 6530 - 250 hours

Advanced Standing Students - One agency placement totaling 500 hours

  • SOCW 6520 - 250 hours
  • SOCW 6530 - 250 hours

Types of Tasks

These are the types of tasks that you will be expected of you during field experience. It is required for you to have direct in-person contact with clients. 

Tasks MSW Generalist (Foundation) MSW Advanced Practice

Micro

(individuals)

Non-Clinical Intakes

Needs Assessments

Case Management

Resource Referral

 

Some Social Work Roles: Broker, case manager, educator

Clinical Intakes

Clinical Case Management

Clinical Mental Health Assessments Using DSM-V

Evidence-Based Therapeutic Intervention

Treatment Planning

Some Social Work Roles: Therapist, counselor, broker, clinical or complex case manager, educator

Mezzo

(families, groups)

Family Supportive Services

Psycho-Educational Groups

 

Some Social Work Roles: Mediator, educator, case manager, resource provider

Family Therapy

Therapeutic Groups

Inter-Professional Team Collaboration

Some Social Work Roles: Therapist in family therapy or therapeutic groups, mediator, educator, complex case manager, broker of services, facilitator

Macro

(organizations and communities)

Research Projects

Program Development

Community Partners Collaboration

Community Outreach

 

Some Social Work Roles: Researcher, community broker of services, facilitator, networker

Research Projects

Program Development

Community Partners Collaboration

 

 

Some Social Work Roles: community organizer, community developer, researcher, policy analyst, networker

 

View more about Placement Requirements in the MSW Field Education Manual

People Helping Along the Way

The MSW Field Director

This is the Walden faculty member responsible for the overall functioning of the field education program. They are administratively responsible for the design, coordination and guidance of the field education component of your program.

Academic Program and Field Experience Coordinator

The Academic Program and Field Experience Coordinator is responsible for oversight and management of the MSW & BSW field experience team, ensuring quality and adherence to policies during the field application and placement process. The supervisor oversees the BSW and MSW field application and placement operations, processes, and staff.

Field Experience Coordinator

The Field Experience Coordinator is the Walden staff member who works closely with you and field instructors to secure your field placement.

Field Experience Operations Coordinator

The operations coordinator is the Walden University staff member responsible for working closely with the MSW field office staff to provide administrative support for students, faculty liaisons, and others.

Field Liaison

The Field Liaison is your Walden faculty member who teaches your field education courses.

Field Instructor

The Field Instructor is the agency staff member who supervisors you during your field experience placement.

Field Agency

The Field Agency is the organization you complete your field experience placement.