Student Fieldwork

SFA social work student fieldwork

Research & Fieldwork

Gain valuable, real-world experience

There’s more to college than sitting in a classroom. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work and/or Master of Social Work have opportunities to participate in research projects and fieldwork that give them the opportunity to gain experience, solve real-world problems and “test drive” careers in various social work agencies.

B.S.W. Practicum

Before you earn your degree, you’ll complete two practicums that combine classroom instruction with supervised field work. By the time you graduate, you’ll have an impressive combination of education, practical experience and an extensive professional network that will set you apart from other graduates and job-seekers.

Junior practicum

During your junior practicum, you’ll spend eight hours a week working and gaining hands-on experience in a community-based setting under the supervision of a professional social worker. A total of 100 hours is required. All students participating in a junior practicum are enrolled in a co-requisite seminar class.

Senior practicum

Seniors in the Bachelor of Social Work program are required to spend 32 hours per week working in a community social service agency. You’ll work under the direct supervision of a professional social worker and gain valuable experience in generalist social work practice.

Students participating in the senior practicum will be enrolled in SWK 490, a two-hour co-requisite seminar course.

All students must pay a field placement fee. Students admitted to the final senior practicum must adhere to the following:

  • a 2.25 cumulative GPA
  • a grade of C or better in all professional social work courses
  • demonstrate acceptable standards of professional conduct, personal integrity and emotional stability requisite for professional social work practice
  • demonstrate effective interpersonal skills necessary for forming professional helping relationships
  • demonstrate a commitment to the profession of social work
  • and demonstrate a commitment of adhering to the codes of ethics for National Association of Social Workers and Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners.

Students should be aware that legal or criminal history may affect their ability to be placed in an agency.

M.S.W. Practicum

Generalist Practicum

Students in the nonadvanced standing graduate program have two practicum experiences in their first year.  These agency-based practicums are hands-on demonstrations of social work skills under the supervision of a professional social worker. Between the fall and spring semesters, students complete 400 hours in an agency setting.

Specialized Practicum

M.S.W. students in the final field experience complete 500 hours in an agency setting demonstrating advanced skills in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

All students must pay a field placement fee. Students must adhere to the following:

•    a 3.0 or higher GPA
•    demonstrate acceptable standards of professional conduct, personal integrity and emotional stability requisite for professional social work practice
•    demonstrate effective interpersonal skills necessary for forming professional helping relationships
•    demonstrate a commitment to the profession of Social Work
•    and demonstrate a commitment of adhering to the codes of ethics for National Association of Social Workers and Texas State Board of Social Work.

Students should be aware that legal or criminal history may affect their ability to be placed in an agency.