Salisbury University students on campus

Field Education

Field education is an integral component of the social work curriculum, engaging the student in supervised social work practice and providing opportunities to apply classroom learning in the field setting. All field education courses are graded. The primary goals of field education are to:

  • Provide knowledge, values, and skills for intervention with individuals, families, groups, and communities
  • Help the student develop a professional identity consistent with social work values
  • Facilitate the development of skills in the evaluation of one's social work practice
  • Provide an experience with various client populations including diverse racial and ethnic groups, and at risk populations
  • Evolve a practice style consistent with the student's personal strengths and capabilities
  • Develop the ability to work within a human service agency or organization

Placements

Students are offered placement opportunities at a variety of community human service agencies. Types of placements include case management, clinical and macro, and are available in various locations.

Students are expected to take an active role in planning and implementing their learning experiences while in a field education setting. In accepting placement at an agency, students will be agreeing to actively participate in their learning and to complete all assigned tasks in a professional manner. Participation in field education carries with it certain responsibilities and commitments to the agency, the Field Supervisor, the clients/customers, and the Field Liaison.