Field Education: MSW

What is field education? 

The purpose of field education is for students to build on existing knowledge and practice skills under the supervision of experienced social workers who demonstrate a commitment to social justice, anti-racist and anti-oppressive social work practice. Field education placements enable students to gain field experience in the social work community. These are learning opportunities for students to develop the skills necessary for a Masters of Social Work degree. Placements are completed in a wide range of community and government agencies and can usually be done in your home community. Normally, students complete a practicum in a single semester. We do, however, offer a two semester option from September to April only.

Field education placements at the MSW level are 450 hours. In order to provide continuity of experience for students, agency personnel and service users, we require students to be available for a minimum of 14 hours per week during the regular working hours of the agency supervisor. However, preference is given to students who are available for full-time daytime hours. The availability of field education placements differs depending on the student’s geographical location, access to qualified supervisors and time of year.

Students must review the course planning information on pre-requisites and requirements for entry into field education. Students can choose the semester that they wish to complete their placement in; students are responsible for ensuring that they have finished their prerequisite courses prior to beginning their placements.

* Prerequisites, for your year of entry to the program, are listed in the UVic Academic Calendar.

If you are a registered student in the School of Social Work, you can use your NetLink ID to log into the Field Education site. This site has application information, forms, and deadlines.

Contact 

For general inquiries about field education, or help with accessing the Field Education site, please contact our Field Education Assistant, 

Application Process

Once you are registered as a School of Social Work student, you will gain access to Field Education Hub which has application information, forms, and deadlines.


1. Visit the Field Education Hub and note the application deadline: Depending on the practicum course, an application is due 6, 8, or 12 months in advance. 2. Fill out an application: All application links are on the Field Education Hub. 3. After the application deadline: You will receive a confirmation of your successful application after all applications are processed. 4. Registration: You cannot self-register for a practicum course. The School of Social Work does this. / Soon after registration opens you will receive an email confirming you are registered in the course. 5. Receive an email from your Field Education Coordinator with next steps: OR If you applied for SOCW 304A Prior Learning Assessment, the assessor will review your application and you will be notified if you have been accepted.