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What is field learning?Field learning is an integral part of social work education that aims to prepare students to become skilled social work practitioners by applying social work theory to direct work with individuals, families, groups, and/or larger systems. Students spend a significant number of hours per week outside the classroom engaging in social work practice under the guidance of field instructors. |
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How is an Advanced Concentration placement (2nd year) different from a Professional Foundation placement (1st year)?The Professional Foundation year offer opportunities for the development of generalist social work practice skills. Second year, or Advanced Concentration, placements focus on the development of more specialized clinical skills and emphasize the conceptualization of the professional use of self in the treatment setting and increasingly autonomous practice. Some agencies will only accept second year students for field placement due to insurance regulations, prerequisite coursework or experience, or other agency requirements. |
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I have never worked with a client. How can I be expected to do this as an intern?Students are admitted to the School based on identified abilities and attributes that are necessary for success in the profession. Students are to acquire the necessary practice skills by integrating theory/course work with assignments in placement settings. |
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How are field learning sites chosen?Sites are selected based on an agency's ability to provide learning opportunities necessary for the development of students' social work practice skills. This includes availability of educationally appropriate assignments and field instruction. The Field Learning department works with over 500 agencies, schools, and other organizations in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) representing a wide range of services in many fields of practice. Settings vary from year to year; if situations at agencies change, the number and type of placements available to NYU students can be affected. |
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How is my field placement assignment made?Placements are determined differently for 1st and 2nd year students. In your 1st year (your ÒProfessional FoundationÓ year), we consider factors including location and the information you provide on your questionnaire. Some consideration is given to broadening your experience Ð this may include working with new populations or in different areas of practice. For your Advanced Concentration, or 2nd year, placement, you will meet with your faculty advisor during the 2nd semester of your 1st year to rank the top three fields of practice that most interest you. Your advisor then meets with the Field Learning team to recommend suitable placements. Assignments are made based on placement availability, as shifts at agencies year to year affect the number and types of placements available to NYU students. |
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Is it possible to arrange my own placement?In order to maintain the integrity of the placement process and because of its long-standing relationships with social work agencies, the Field Learning department is responsible for developing student placements. Students are not to contact agencies independently (e.g., not to inquire about available placements, not to arrange interviews). If there is an agency in which you are interested you may provide written information regarding the agency to your Faculty Advisor or email it to field.learning@nyu.edu. As appropriate, the Field Learning office will contact the agency to explore the feasibility of developing the placement. |
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Can students who are employed in the field of social work use that paid position as their field placement?Students may apply for an Employment Based Field Learning (EBFL) placement for their Advanced Concentration year. Applications are reviewed by the Field Learning department for approval, which is based on the timely submission of the EBFL application, the integrity of the placement as a field learning site, having passed the probationary period at the agency, and the ability of the agency to fulfill the educational goals of the AC requirements. Field Learning assignments must be different from what job assignments had been, and there must be a person available to provide Field Instruction who is different from the work supervisor. |
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Are there any paid field learning placements available?No. There are a minimal number of placements that offer a small stipend, but these vary year to year. |
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Are there evening or weekend placements available?Evening and/or weekend placements are available only to students in the Extended (part-time) Program. Even for these students, these placements are extremely limited, as most agencies are not open and/or Field Instruction is not available at night and on weekends. Typical placements occur within standard business hours Monday-Friday. |
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How far will I have to travel for my field placement?Every effort is made to plan a reasonable commute. One hour of travel time each way to a field placement site is considered reasonable. |
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How many hours will my field placement require?How many hours will my field placement require?MSW Programs: 2nd Year: 21 hours/3 days per week (Sept - May) 16-Month Accelerated Extended/Part-Time Extended/Part-Time (Spring-Summer) Extended One Year Residence (OYR) Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program |
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What is the role of my Faculty Advisor?Your advisor is available to address questions about field learning and guide you through your year at school and with your agency. Your advisor is the first person to contact if you have concerns about your field placement. As a first year student, you will meet regularly with your advisor in structured advisement groups. In the second year, your advisement is not as structured, but the advisor's role remains the same. |
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What if I have a question about my field placement?Current students should direct questions to their Faculty Advisors, who have a direct liaison with the Field Learning team. If advisors are unavailable, questions can be emailed to field.learning@nyu.edu. Prospective and newly admitted students should email inquiries to field.learning@nyu.edu. |
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What if I do not like my field placement?Placement sites are selected based on their ability to provide sound learning experiences; assignments are made based on a variety of factors, including students' learning needs and location. If a student has concerns about a placement (e.g., poor learning opportunities or unsafe learning environment), he/she should bring these concerns to his/her Faculty Advisor. The Faculty Advisor, with consultation from the Field Learning Management Team, will make an assessment as to whether or not the placement meets the educational requirements of the program and suits the learning needs of the student. |
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What if I have a question that is not answered here?If your question is not answered here or on the web site, which has information including calendars, manuals, and forms, you can email questions to: field.learning@nyu.edu. You should receive a response within 24-48 hours. |