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Field education is the heart of the Social Work program at Pacific University.

Social Work Field Education Program Format

After students are accepted into our social work programs, placements at approved social service organizations are established. This intensive field experience (also known as "practicum" or "field work") is designed to promote the application of social work values and ethics, theory, and skills to practice. During both the foundation and concentration years of the program, students serve their practicum sites under the supervision of a qualified field instructor or task supervisor and the administration of the field team. Each practicum spans the academic year at one agency.

First Year MSW and BSW Students:

From September to May of their first year, students participate in a two-semester practicum consisting of 14-16 hours per week, totaling 420 hours. First year MSW students and BSW students participate in practicum under the oversight of their field instructor or task supervisor.

Second Year MSW and Advanced Standing MSW Students:

Students advancing to their second year, or students accepted into an advanced standing MSW program, participate in another two-semester practicum consisting of 18-20 hour per week, totaling 500 hours. Students who complete their MSW participate in a total of 920 practicum hours over the course of their education.

Social Work Field Training: Practical Application of Theory and Policy

Foundation year placements orient students to the social work profession. Students begin to acquire the skills and knowledge to practice social work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Field faculty determine placements for foundation year students with consideration of student strengths, interests, and agency availability and needs.

Concentration year placements continue to enhance the student’s social work skills and expertise, building on foundation year learning. Students have greater input into placement requests during their concentration year. However, placement is contingent on many factors including placement availability, suitability, and fit between students and the site. Therefore, no specific placement is guaranteed.

In addition to the time dedicated to practicum placements, students attend a weekly seminar class. Seminar is an interactive setting where students integrate classroom knowledge with practice and critically analyze and reflect on their practicum experiences and professional development.

Pacific Supports Agencies through Accessible Student Supervision

Pacific ensures students have the option to obtain supervision from a faculty member to reinforce the concepts of social work curriculum in the field. We understand agencies may not have a social worker on staff who is able to provide supervision to students during their practicum experience. Agency task supervisors who do not hold a social work degree can provide on-site support, supervision and oversight for the student practicum experience and Pacific faculty will partner to provide supervision to students who need social work supervisors at Pacific. Social work students at Pacific are talented and dedicated individuals. It is our intention to ensure these students have every opportunity to receive training at an agency which allows them to create social change for our communities. We believe in supporting students and agency staff in reaching this goal, therefore will dedicate faculty time and resources to providing supervision to our social work students.

"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." -Ruth Bader Ginsburg