The Field Education Program within the Department of Social Work provides an opportunity for students to integrate their curriculum knowledge with real-life, hands-on experiences in a variety of field practice settings. Students are supervised by experienced social work Field Instructors at human services agencies where they refine their social work skills and begin their lives as social work professionals.
The Field Education requirements and standards are set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Field Education is regarded as the "signature pedagogy" of the Social Work program. Field education is the central form of instruction and learning in which a profession socializes its students to perform the role of practitioner, connects the theoretical and conceptual contributions of the classroom with the practical world of the practice setting, and is systematically designed, supervised, coordinated, and evaluated based on criteria by which students demonstrate the achievement of program competencies.
BSW Field Education
The field placement is a vital part of the professional development of the student. Through our collaborative efforts the Department of Social Work and human service organizations will continue to offer field education of the highest quality to enhance human well-being and meet the basic human needs of people within this area of North Carolina. The BSW students complete block placements in the last semester of their senior year. Students planning to enter field (SW 4650 and SW 4690) must submit a field application to the Field Director by February 1 in order to be considered for a placement in the following Fall semester or by September 1 in order to be considered for a placement in the following Spring semester.
MSW Field Education
The field placement is a vital part of the professional development of the student. Through our collaborative efforts the Social Work Department and human service organizations will continue to offer field education of the highest quality to enhance human well-being and meet the basic human needs of all people. Master of Social (MSW) work students complete concurrent field placements two semesters per year.
Required hours: 240 each semester
Contact
For more information about Social Work Field Education at Appalachian State, contact:
Heather Thorp, Ed.D, LCSW, REAT
Field Director
Department of Social Work
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 28608
828/262-6389
Email: thorpha@appstate.edu