Field Work Overview

The field experience is the heart and soul of social work education. It is where classroom theories become professional fact. It is where ethics are tried and tested through observation and application. Competence is gained by doing, practice activities are evaluated empirically, and a respect for and acceptance of diverse cultures and peoples is gained.

Definition: What is an Internship? What is a Practicum?
In social work education "internship" and "practicum" are often used interchangably, but practicum implies more direct participation, responsibility, and supervision by a qualified professional.

Field Internship Experiences

Pre-Major: SWK 257: Exploring Human Services

Is an introduction to the wide variety of areas of practice in social work. Students volunteer to work at an agency for 40 hours and observe how it operates. This course is open to all students. It familiarizes the social work major to the department and basic field policy.

Social Work Major Field Practicum Experience

The total number of practicum hours required for the Augsburg BSW degree is 480.

The average hours per week are 8 to 10.

Class	Fall Semester	Spring Semester
Junior	120 hours	120 hours
Senior	120 hours	120 hours

Field Practicum Orientation Session

Prior to assignment to an agency the BSW Field Coordinator conducts an in-class orientation to the field. Expectations of both student and agency are discussed and information materials are handed out.

Junior Year Practicum

Students, after being admitted to the program begin their first practicum in October of their junior year. A list of agencies is distributed and students rank their preference of assignment.

Senior Year Practicum

Seniors start their internship in September. Seniors, with the help of the BSW Field Coordinator, select and apply to an internship of their own choosing.

Practice Skills and Methods Course Sequence

Students learn the theory and professional skills they need to successfully aid clients. There are three practice courses, which are taken concurrently with field seminar classes.

Field Practicum Seminars

The field seminar classes support the field experience by integrating agency experience with theory in an ongoing cycle of learning.

Field Practice Settings

For generalist degree seekers the field practicum is not only important to their knowledge base, but also for future job prospects. Students have access to these fields of practice, among others:

• Family and Children
• Child Welfare
• Crisis Intervention
• Senior Resources
• Family Social Policy
• Health and Human Services
• Corrections and Probations
• Schools
• Youth Services
• American Indian Family Services
• Chemical Dependency
• Immigrant and Refugee Services
• Faith-Based Social Service
• Neighborhood Services