Field Education
Partner with Us: Host a Future Social Worker
We are always looking for experienced social work professionals to provide instruction and supervision to students as part of their commitment to the training and development of future social workers.
Things to consider when becoming a field educator or learning site:
- Each field site must have or enter into an Affiliation Agreement with WSU.
- CSWE requires that the learning site have an bachelor or master level social worker with a minimum of 2 years post-graduation experience.
- Placements require minimum 400 hours of field work.
- As a Field Instructor, you will work with students to develop a plan that specifies activities with learning objectives, provides regular supervision and evaluates student progress throughout the placement.
- TRAINING: Field Instructor (FI) will complete a self-paced online FI training
- Placement must embrace the school’s mission and NASW Code of Ethics.
- Placement must meet CSWE standards of accreditation, including the social work competencies.
Placement Deadline
Having enough lead time to work with health care agencies in order to find a Field Instructor is essential. Application deadlines allow the Field Director enough time to maximize placement success. Please submit your application and preferences by the following deadlines:
Applications Open
October – November 2025
Application Timeline
| October – November | Processing applications and onboarding. |
| December | Matching students to agencies. |
| January | Students and agencies receive information, followed by interviews. Interviews completed. |
| February | Placement confirmation letters submitted. |
| March – May | Agencies complete training modules. |
| Fall Semester | Students commence placement, approximately first or second week of classes. |
Goals of Field Education
- Provide students with the opportunity to apply social work theories, methods, and core competencies in real-world contexts.
- Enhance students’ ability to engage with diverse populations, understanding and addressing complex social issues.
- Build skills in assessment, intervention, and evaluation of social work practices.
- Foster a commitment to social justice and ethical practice.
- Facilitate mastery of competencies and practice behaviors.
- Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics and understand relevant laws and regulations.
Supervision and Support
Students receive regular supervision from their on-site field instructor and a faculty field liason. Supervision focuses on professional development, problem-solving, and reflection on practice experiences to ensure students are progressing toward their learning objectives.
The BASW field instructor is responsible for your learning at the placement site and provides one hour of supervision per week. At the end of the semester, the field instructor rates the student’s level of competence for each competency and writes a narrative evaluating the student’s performance based upon the learning agreement. Field instructors recommend a grade to the Field Seminar instructor who is responsible for assigning the final grade.
The WSU Field Director and Faculty Liaisons are responsible for monitoring your experience at the agency and facilitating the integrative Field Seminar. Field Office faculty and staff are responsible for developing placement sites, matching students to agencies, supporting field instructors, and facilitating field review meetings if problems arise.
Field Placement Process
The BASW Field Director works closely with each student to find an appropriate field placement that aligns with their interests, career goals, and learning objectives. The placement process typically includes:
- Application & Matching – Students submit preferences for potential placement sites, which are matched with partnering agencies or organizations.
- Orientation & Preparation – Students participate in preparatory sessions to understand the expectations and objectives of field education.
All students entering their first field placement are required to review the online orientation modules located on the Field Education webpage prior to interviewing at an agency. In addition, all students entering their first field placement are required to attend an in- person field orientation prior to the start to their first semester in field. You will be notified of dates, times and locations via email. Undergraduate students receive additional field orientation in their integrative field seminar. - On-Site Learning – Students work under the supervision of a qualified field instructor, completing a specified number of hours to fulfill program requirements.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Learning Competencies
- Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Practice
- Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research Informed Practice
- Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
- Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
- Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
- Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many hours are required for the field placement?
A: Students are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours over the Senior year to fulfill the field education requirements.
Q: Can I choose my placement site?
A: While students can express preferences, the Field Education office ultimately matches students to sites that align with program requirements and learning objectives.
Q: Will I be supported during my placement?
A: Yes! Students receive continuous support from both their on-site field instructor and faculty advisor throughout the placement.
Q: When and how do I apply for a field placement?
A: Students who are eligible for field placement will receive an email with field application instructions. Applications are completed through the data management system EXXAT.
Q: How does the field office determine where I will be matched?
A: Student agency matches are determined by the Field Director and based upon location, agency availability, and learning needs. Student preferences are considered and accommodated when possible. Efforts are made to match students as close to the community of their choice as possible given agency availability.
Q: How many field placement hours are required and how are the hours scheduled?
A: Students are required to complete 225 hours per semester (Fall and Spring) of their senior year. Students are in the agency approximate 15 hours per week, typically during normal business hours, and create their individual schedule with their field instructor.
Q: May I arrange my own placement?
A: No, the Office of Field Education arranges all placements including employment-based placements. You may request a particular agency on your field application.
Q: How does the pre-placement interview process work?
A: When an agency match has been identified, the Field Office will send the agency contact person a match email with your resume for review. You will also receive a match email with instructions, the name of the agency, contact person and placement checklist and confirmation form. Students are responsible for initiating contact with the agency to schedule a pre-placement interview with the contact person or their designee as soon as possible after receiving the match email. The purpose of the interview is to determine a good fit between the student and the agency. The placement checklist is reviewed during the interview including prerequisites required by the agency such as a drug screen, and topics we ask you and the agency to use to guide the interview. If both the agency and student agree to the match, the confirmation form is signed and uploaded by the student into EXXAT immediately. If you or the agency decline the match, contact the Field Office immediately to determine next steps. Students are matched and interview with one agency at a time.
Q: What is the purpose of the integrative Field Seminar and how does it work?
A: All students in field education are required to participate concurrently in an integrative Field Seminar. The purpose of the seminar is to integrate course work with the field education experience.
Q: What is the Learning Agreement?
A: The Learning Agreement is a personalized educational tool that outlines the activities the student will complete in the field placement and be evaluated on each semester. Students, in collaboration with their field instructor, determine the specific activities and how they align to the 9 social work competencies and associated practice behaviors. Activities must target all 5 domains of social work practice: Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities. Students are evaluated on these activities to determine competency and the course grade. The Field Instructor completes the evaluation and recommends a grade. The Field Seminar faculty will determine the final grade.
Q: What should I do if I have concerns about my field placement experience?
A: The first person to speak with is your field instructor. If you are unable to resolve your concerns, then the Field Seminar instructor is available for support and problem-solving. When concerns arise, a meeting may be held to resolve issues while supporting students and agencies in the process.
For more information about the BASW Field Education program, please contact Jill Young-McMurchie, BASW Field Director at j.young-mcmurchie@wsu.edu.