Field Placement Search Process

Welcome to the exciting journey of field education! Every social work student will engage in field education as a part of their social work degree program. The Office of Field Education is here to support undergraduate and graduate social work students every step of the way as they complete their field placement in a community agency. General information on the search process can be found below.

Newly admitted students to the Master of Social Work program will receive an email on what to expect as they begin the field search process. Those who confirm their enrollments will also be sent specific instructions on how to get started. Any questions can be directed to field@msudenver.edu.

A Note on COVID-19 Impacts on Field Education

During this unprecedented time in our communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that how field placements are happening (e.g. virtually/remotely, face-to-face with safety guidelines in place, or a combination of these two) as well as the processes of searching for and securing field placements for the 2021-22 academic year may be impacted. The Office of Field Education team continues to be here to support students and agencies throughout the search process and continues to respond to changing conditions as necessary. We encourage you to stay in touch with your assigned Placement Navigator and our office if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to assisting you in finding a meaningful learning opportunity for the upcoming academic year!

Temporary COVID Policy Updates 03.20.2021

Field Information Sessions

Field Information Sessions

All students begin the process of finding a field placement by attending a Field Information Session. Information Sessions for students searching for field placements for the 2021-22 academic year will be offered virtually at the following dates and times. Students should refer to email communications from the Office of Field Education for specific details and access links to the Field Information Sessions held via Zoom.

Upcoming Field Information Sessions for continuing and newly admitted students

MSW Advanced Standing Field Information Sessions:

Thursday, April 1st from 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday, April 8th from 12:00 - 1:00 pm REG-A-PALOOZA
Wednesday, April 21st from 12:00 - 1:00 pm

MSW Foundation Field Information Sessions:

Friday, April 2nd from 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Friday, April 9th from 12:00 - 1:00 pm REG-A-PALOOZA
Thursday, April 22nd from 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Search Process Timeline 2020-21

Click on a drop down menu below to view the timeline process for each student level.

BSSW Search Process Timeline

FIELD INFORMATION SESSION

Students attend a mandatory information session to become familiar with and ask a question about the placement process.

APPLICATION (In Sonia)

Students complete an application for field placement in the Sonia Field Database where they list both the skills and knowledge they hope to acquire in placement, as well as populations, settings, and social issues they wish to gain more experience in. Students have the option of requesting specific agency placements. Please review the 2021-22 Field Placement Search Process Sonia Guide to complete this process.

PLACEMENT MEETINGS

Students will sign up for one on one meetings with their designated Placement Navigator in Sonia. Students will meet with their designated Placement Navigator to discuss placement options and be referred to up to 5 different agencies to which they will apply.

PREPARE & CONTACT

Once students are referred to agencies, agency contact information will be sent to students via email. Students carefully review the Next Steps document (see Search Forms section below). Students update their resume and craft cover letters and make contact with approved agencies to request internship interviews.

INTERVIEW & EVALUATE

Students interview at assigned agency sites so that both the agency and student can mutually determine if a placement is a good fit.

CONFIRMATION

Once students have been offered and accept a field placement in the Sonia Field Database, students must complete the Field Confirmation Form in Sonia to finalize the placement.

STUDENT FIELD ORIENTATION - August (Date TBA)

Students will participate in a mandatory student field orientation through Canvas within the first week of fall semester.

MSW Foundation Year Timeline

FIELD INFORMATION SESSION

Students attend a mandatory information session to become familiar with and ask a question about the placement process.

APPLICATION (In Sonia)

PLACEMENT MEETINGS

PREPARE & CONTACT

INTERVIEW & EVALUATE

Students interview at assigned agency sites so that both the agency and student can mutually determine if a placement is a good fit.

CONFIRMATION

Once students have been offered and accept a field placement in the Sonia Field Database, students must complete the Field Confirmation Form in Sonia to finalize the placement.

STUDENT FIELD ORIENTATION - August (Date TBA)

Students will participate in a mandatory student field orientation through Canvas within the first week of fall semester.

MSW Concentration Year Timeline

FIELD INFORMATION SESSION

Students attend an information session to become familiar with and ask questions about the placement process.

APPLICATION (in Sonia)

Students complete an application for field placement. This application will be done using the online Sonia Field Database.

AGENCY DATABASE REVIEW & PLACEMENT PREFERENCING

Students access Sonia Field Database to review potential field placement options. Students select up to 5 agencies that they'd like to interview with, and indicate this in the Sonia Field Database. The student’s assigned Placement Navigator will review placement preferences and approves the student's top 5 choices. Students can choose to sign up for an individual meeting with their Placement Navigator to discuss placement options. Please review the 2021-22 Field Placement Search Process Sonia Guide for additional information about this process.

PREPARE & CONTACT

Once preferences are approved, agency contacts will be accessible to students in the Sonia database. Students carefully review the Next Steps document (see Search Forms section below). Students update their resume and crafting cover letters and make contact with approved agencies to request internship interviews.

INTERVIEW & EVALUATE

Students interview at assigned agency sites so that both the agency and student can mutually determine if a placement is a good fit.

CONFIRMATION

Students confirm a field placement by accepting the offer from the agency in Sonia and completing a Field Confirmation Form in Sonia.

STUDENT FIELD ORIENTATION - August (Dates TBD)

Students will attend mandatory student field orientation during the first week of classes in lieu of field seminar class. They will meet with their field seminar instructor and go over field requirements and guidelines.