Field Placement Search Process

During this unprecedented time in our community both near and far due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that the field placement search process for the 2020-21 academic year may be impacted. Please know that agency response times and screening processes may be slower or modified during this time. Our Office of Field Education team continues to be here to support you throughout this process and will 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!

Information on the search process can be found below. Newly admitted students 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.

Field Information Sessions

All students who will be taking a Field Experience Course in 2020-21 must attend or watch a field information session.

***Newly admitted students please watch the recorded Field Information Session below. Some dates might not be updated as this information session was recorded earlier this year.

2020-21 Information Session Transcript

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

INFORMATION - November to December
Students attend an information session to become familiar with and ask a question about the placement process.

APPLICATION (In Sonia)- December 18, 2019 - January 15, 2020
Students complete an application for field placement 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 2020-21 Field Placement Search Process Sonia guide to review this process.

MEETINGS & OPTIONS - January 7th to February 15th
Students will meet with their designated Placement Officer and receive at least three options for potential field placements.

PREPARE -January - February
Students carefully review the Next Steps document (see Search Forms section below). Students begin updating resume and crafting cover letters.

CONTACT - February 5th
Students begin contacting agencies to request internship interviews on February 6th.

INTERVIEW & EVALUATE - February to June
Students interview at assigned agency sites so that both the agency and student can mutually determine if a placement is a good fit.

CONFIRMATION - May 29th (or sooner)
Students notify Field Office of being offered and accepting a field placement.

STUDENT FIELD ORIENTATION - August (Date TBA)
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.

MSW Foundation Year Timeline

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 Data Base 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 2020-21 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 Officer in Sonia. Students will meet with their designated Placement Officer to discuss placement options and be referred to at least 3 different agencies to apply to.

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 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, students must complete the Field Confirmation Form in Sonia to finalize the placement.

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.

MSW Concentration Year Timeline

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 5 agencies that they'd like to interview with, and indicate this in the Sonia field database. Field Office reviews placement preferences and approves the student's top 3 choices. Students can choose to sign up for an individual meeting with their Placement Officer to discuss placement options. Please review the 2020-21 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 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 but completing an online Field Confirmation Form in Sonia.