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Social Work

Field education

What is field education?

Field education placements are an opportunity for you to gain practice experience in the social work field under the supervision of an experienced professional. Placements are completed in a wide range of community and government agencies and can usually be done in your home community.

Normally, students complete their field education placements in a single semester. We do, however, offer a 2-semester, part-time option from September to April only.

For general enquiries about field education, contact our field education (practicum) assistant.

The School of Social Work is committed to decolonizing, anti-racism, anti-oppressive and social justice work in our leadership, research and education. The goal for the field education team is to seek out and establish experiential learning opportunities that promote decolonial-equity, respect, responsibility, accountability, curiosity, collaboration, risk-taking and creativity.

Undergraduate requirements

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students will complete 2 placements (350 hours per placement) over the course of their program, along with a 6-week integrative practice seminar. All BSW students are required to complete either:

The prior learning assessment is an option for students who already have a minimum of 4,000 hours of human services work experience within the past 5 years. 1,500 of these hours may include unpaid, volunteer or practicum work undertaken in a previous education program. You can speak to a field education coordinator about this possibility when you apply for SOCW304.

All BSW students are also required to complete 1 of the following fourth-year field education placements:

If you're enrolled in the child welfare or Indigenous child welfare specialization, you need to complete SOCW404 (protection) or SOCW404A (non-protection).

You can choose the semester in which you wish to complete your placement. However, you are responsible for making sure that you have successfully completed your pre-requisite courses prior to beginning your placements. Review the linked course descriptions for pre-requisites.

For questions about BSW pre-requisites, email the school directly. If you are a current student, please contact the BSW academic adviser.

Graduate requirements

Master of Social Work (MSW) students must complete 450 hours over the course of their field placement.

Depending on your program stream, you must complete 1 of the following practicum courses:

To provide a continuity of experience for students, agency personnel and service users, we require you to be available for a minimum of 18 hours per week during the regular working hours of the agency supervisor.

In a heartfelt and insightful blog post, MSW student Mercedes Calma shares her journey through a practicum in palliative care, exploring the deep emotional and professional growth that emerged from supporting individuals at the end of life.

Read Mercedes' story

Application process

Once you’ve registered as a student in the School of Social Work, you’ll gain access to the field education Brightspace page. This is where you will find application information, forms and deadlines.

Filling out your application

You can fill out your application using the links provided in the Brightspace page. Visit the page and note the application deadline; depending on the practicum course, your application is due 6, 8 or 12 months in advance.

About a month after the application period has closed, your coordinator will reach out to set up an initial meeting.

Criminal record checks

UVic is required to adhere to the provincial Criminal Records Review Act, which states that every registered student who will work with children or vulnerable adults must undergo a criminal record check.

All students who live in BC and/or plan to complete a field education placement in BC must undergo a criminal record check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. This is required even if you have had a recent check completed for some other purpose.

A criminal record may delay or prohibit certain placements. We encourage you to begin the check process early.

Field education outside of BC

If you do not live in BC and do not intend to complete a placement in this province, you may not be required to complete the process above. You must still meet any individual agency or provincial requirements regarding criminal record checks.

Registering for a practicum course

We will register you in a practicum course once your application is approved; you cannot self-register for a practicum course.

Become a partner agency

We are seeking community organizations to host social work students throughout the year or in 1 of 3 semesters during the year. If you are an organization that promotes social justice through ethical, community-centered services, we want you on our team!

We are committed to contributing to healthy communities by preparing students to take up social work positions within their community. We ask that you support our students by allowing them to work with you for 350 hours (BSW) or 450 hours (MSW). Students will come prepared to work hard and contribute to your organization.

For more information, see our brochure or contact the field education (practicum) assistant.