New Students Entering Field

Field Education is essential in social work education.  It is the place where you will apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom to actual people and to real situations, under the supervision of a seasoned social worker.  It is a place where you learn to make a real, lasting contribution to the lives of others.

Students entering field must submit a field placement application within 2 weeks of paying their $300 confirmation deposit.

  • If you do not have a UM ID, go to the MyUMB Portal to set up your account.

*NOTE* It may take 24 hours for your UM ID to be processed in the system before it will allow you to complete a field application. 

  • If you are awaiting approval for financial aid, you must still complete your application by the due date! Late applicants are not guaranteed placement and may need to change their enrollment status to part-time.
  • To complete the Field Application, go to the  Current Student Page and use your UM ID and password to log into your Electronic Field Notebook (EFN.) Bookmark this page - you will be returning to this page throughout the year to complete all of your Field assignments.

We wish you every success as you begin your professional training.

Please view our updated Frequently Asked Questions Page for more information.

Please contact us with any questions you may have. You may call or email the Office of Field Education to schedule an appointment with a Field Coordinator to discuss your field opportunities at (410) 706-7187 or fieldeducation@ssw.umaryland.edu.

Spring Admits and Part-time Foundation Students

Congratulations on being accepted the to the University of Maryland School of Social Work.   As a spring admit you are required to complete a Field application for the next academic year.  Field Applications for the next academic year will become available the first week of December.  The deadline to submit applications will be March 1st for spring admits and current part-time foundation students only.   

 

Employment-Based Field Placement

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) allows under its Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) for students to use their paid employment hours to count as field time if the student’s current employment responsibilities meet the nine Social Work Competencies for their selected concentration.

An employment-based field education option is available for students who would like to have a field placement at the agency where they are employed. To be eligible for this option:

  • The student must have successfully completed the agency’s new hire probationary period by the start of field.
  • The placement must meet the same criteria set for non-employment-based field sites.
  • The agency must be willing to establish an affiliation agreement with SSW, if one does not already exist.
  • The agency field instructor must meet all appropriate program requirements and qualifications. The OFE encourages students to identify a field instructor who is not their employment supervisor. 

For an EB proposal to be approved, the agency and the student’s supervisor must agree to allow the student to use paid employment hours as field practicum time and/or agree to a schedule in which the student can complete field practicum time in addition to their paid employment. The plan for field education must be educationally focused, not centered solely on agency services and must meet the criteria applicable to all the school’s field education placements.

Interested students will need to complete an EB screening form when they submit their Field Education application in the electronic field notebook (EFN).  The screening form is part of the application.  After reviewing the screening form, a field education coordinator will notify the student if they are eligible to apply for the EB placement.  The following forms will need to be completed for the EB request to meet final approved.

Student Orientation

Please note that you will not have access to your Electronic Field Notebook and see your forms until AFTER attending Field Orientation in August and completing the following requirements  

  1. HIPPA Training 
  2. Blood Borne Pathogens Training 
  3. Code of Conduct

 Go to Student Field Education Orientation for more information.

Student Field Experiences

This form will allow you to record and share alternative field experiences.

 

Field Experiences: Reflection Assignment

International Placement Program

The International Placement Program (IPP) provides social work students the opportunity to spend a semester abroad. Students are immersed in a cross- culture experience and gain a unique perspective on social work practices while completing an advanced field placement and coursework. This opportunity focuses on engaging in different ways of knowing and approaching social challenges. Learn more here: International Placement Program

FOUNDATION STUDENTS:
If your last name starts with A-L, you will be in practicum Monday & Wednesday

If your last name starts with M-Z, you will be in practicum Tuesday & Thursday

The Child Welfare Program and Shady Grove students will be in practicum Tuesday & Thursday

 

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