Field Education Webinar

Overview

• The USC Field Team• Social Work Overview• MSW Field Placement • Field Placement

Selection Process• Interview Timelines• Q&A

Getting to Know You

• What region of the U.S. are you from?• Do you have previous social work experience?• Which concentration interests you the most?

Regional Field Team

The USC Regional Coordinators:

Ruth Cislowski cislowski@usc.edu Amber Ford amberfor@usc.edu

Laurel Davis laurela@usc.edu

Renee Michelsen michelse@usc.edu

What is a Social Worker?

Social workers are highly trained and experienced professionals who:• Assist individuals, families, groups and communities. • Develop policy and programs to help others access services.• Help prevent crises and counsel individuals, families and

communities to cope more effectively with the stresses of everyday life.

• Have knowledge of human development and behavior, social, economic and cultural institutions and government.

Governing Organizations for Social Work

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)Nonprofit national association that accredits social work education in this United Stateshttp://www.cswe.org/

National Association of Social WorkSteward of Core Values of Social Work and Ethicshttp://naswdc.orgDisseminates core competencies for the profession

FIELD EDUCATION: THE HEART OF SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION

Field Education

Foundation Year 16 -20 hrs/wk 450 hrs

Concentration Year 20 hrs/week 550 hrs

Total = 1,000 hours50 percent of time dedicated to direct practice

Field Education

USC Finds Placements in Your Community

Foundation Year Goals• Build core competencies• Work with diverse populations

Concentration Year Goals• Focus on area of study• Student interviews/selects option(s)• Agency recommendations welcomed

Field Education: It’s Not Just About the Hours

• Gain quality experience in a professional setting.

• Expand your professional network.• Give back to your community.

Field Education is Part of the Curriculum

Integrative Learning Seminar• Integrates classroom learning and field experience• Students collaborate to identify and seek solutions and

resources for cases

This course is taken as co-requisite to Field Practicum in the two semesters of the foundation year.

Types of Practice

Direct PracticeTime working directly with clients: at least 50%

Indirect PracticeTime focusing on indirect practice: at least 10%

USC Field Placement Expectations

• Case assignments (6–8 by the end of the first semester)• 50% of time in direct contact with clients• Accessibility to resources (phone, computer, desk)• Enthusiastic Field Instructor/Agency• Within 30 miles of and/or 45-60 minute drive from the

student

Sample of Current Placement Sites• County Department

of Mental Health• Veteran’s Affairs• Hospitals/Medical Centers• Lutheran Social Services• Youth and Family

Service Centers• Schools• Department of Health

and Human Services• Dialysis Treatment Centers• AIDS Care• Prisons/Corrections• Community Health Centers

• Therapeutic Counseling

• Homeless Shelters/Transitional Housing

• Intervention Services• Behavioral/ Mental

Health Facilities• Alzheimer’s Agencies• Catholic Charities• Jewish Family & Children’s

Services• Disability Centers• American Red Cross• Foster Agencies• Adoption Services

• Rape Crisis Centers

• Rehabilitation Centers• Alcohol and Drug

Facilities/Substance Abuse• Women’s Centers• Mental Health Clinic• Hospice• Transitional Services• Cancer Centers• Adult Day Health Care• Juvenile Delinquency

USC Field Placement SelectionBring the Best Education to

Life in Your Community

Placement Process

Roles in Field Education — MSW on Agency Staff

17

USC SCHOOL OFSOCIAL WORK

• Regional Coordinator• Field Faculty Advisor• Seminar Instructor/

Liaison/Academic Advisor

Student MSW Field Instructor

AGENCY

Roles in Field Education —MSW Not on Agency Staff

18

USC SCHOOL OFSOCIAL WORK

• Regional Coordinator• Field Faculty Advisor• Seminar Instructor/

Liason/Academic Advisor• External Field Instructor

(EFI)

Student Preceptor

AGENCY

Issues That May Delay Placement

• Change in Concentration• Not Accepted by Agency• Relocation• Late Placement

• Agency Clearance Policy• Limited Availability

in Schedule• Background Issues• Certain Geographic Areas

What to Expect in Your Concentration Year

Concentrations

• Community Organization, Planning & Administration (COPA)

• Families and Children• Health• Mental Health• Social Work and Business in a Global

Society

Concentrations

• Military Social Work & Veterans Services

Sub-Concentration

Who Are Served by Military Placements?

• Families and significant others of deceased soldiers

• WWII Vets• Widows and Widowers• Returning Vets• Vietnam Vets• Families of Active Military

Additional Training with Military Audiences

Virtual Clinical Experience (VCE)– Guided learning experience in the online classroom. – Students meet in small groups with a faculty member to work through

simulated cases with military clients (played by actors). – Immediate feedback and supervisor as students engage with the

client.

Internship with a Military Lens (IML)– Build capacity at your agency to provide services to military audiences.– Supervised by field instructor.

Join the Trojan Family

Join an alumni family that is lifelong and worldwide!• Nearly 230,000 alumni on five continents • The USC Social Work Alumni Association

• No GRE required• Completed bachelor’s degree with a preferred interdisciplinary

liberal arts background• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of approximately 3.0• Strong academic promise to perform successfully at the

graduate level• Sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, capacity for

self-awareness, concern for the needs of others, ability for abstract reasoning, conceptual thinking and strong communication skills.

Admission Requirements

Transfer Credit Policy

• Up to 12 credit hours can be considered• Credits must be earned from an accredited MSW program• Must have earned a 3.0 or better to be considered

Advanced Standing Program

• 3.25 cumulative GPA• 3.5 GPA in social work coursework• BSW from an accredited school in the last five years• Two letters of recommendation from field instructor and professor• Passing grades for six-unit bridge courses prior to concentration

year • Two tracks: three- or five-semester program; 35 units total

• Online Graduate Admission Application• Supplemental Form: Social Work• Résumé • Statement of Purpose • Two Letters of Recommendations (third optional)• Official Transcript(s)

Online Graduate Application www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/applyonline

Application Requirements

Important Dates

Virtual Academic CenterClass Start Application Deadline

August 7, 2013 June 25, 2013

September 3, 2013(advanced standing) July 1, 2013

September 3, 2013 July 22, 2013

Transfer Applications for August 7 May 20, 2013

Get Started Today

Virtual Academic Center Phone: 1.877.700.4MSW (4679) Email: sswvac@usc.eduWebsite: msw.usc.edu

University of Southern California School of Social Work

QUESTIONS &

ANSWERS