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The purpose of the field practicum at the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Social Work is to provide students with an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom by providing direct services to clients through an established social service agency. Experiential learning occurs in various aspects of the program, but the core of such learning is the field experience.

The field practicum component of the undergraduate and foundation programs builds on the generalist foundation, integrating systems theory, the problem-solving process, strengths perspective, and social work values and ethics. The practicum provides students opportunities to practice their skills from generalist to more advanced techniques. Students in the field practicum are being prepared for social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, particularly those found in Northern Nevada, including our rural communities.

The MSW concentration year component of the field practicum prepares competent, ethical, advanced generalist practitioners. The concentration year builds upon the generalist perspective and foundation content of the first year to prepare graduates who are 1) able to apply advanced generalist practice principles across diverse levels, populations, and contexts, and 2) able to practice with a high degree of autonomy and proficiency. Briefly stated, advanced generalist practice represents a holistic, complex, and dynamic view of social work practice. The advanced generalist perspective in social work enables practitioners to move effectively within a variety of fields of practice and from one practice level to another.

All undergraduate and foundation field students must complete a two semester, 12-credit field practicum sequence. The field experience is comprised of a weekly 15-hour field experience for a total of 225 hours per 15 week semester. In addition the student must attend a concurrent, weekly 50 minute on-campus integrative seminar. As a result students will have completed a total of 450 field training hours. Concentration year students at the MSW level must complete an additional two semesters of field experience and integrative field seminar for a total of 900 hours of field practicum at their point of graduation.

The School of Social Work hosts an annual “Field Fair” during spring semester, where field agencies and social work students are invited to meet and discuss the internship opportunities for the coming academic year. After students have been accepted into the major or the graduate program they submit an application for field practicum to the Field Education Program Coordinator. The coordinator then meets with each student to discuss the variety of fields of practice, student interests, and the availability of field placement sites. Appropriate matches are negotiated and the student is sent for an initial interview. (for more information see the BSW Field Manual or MSW Field Manual)

Agency Practice Areas

  • Social Service/Community Resource
  • Health/Medical/Hospice
  • Mental Health
  • Child Welfare
  • School Social Work
  • Domestic Violence
  • Homelessness
  • Substance Abuse
  • Elder Care/Geriatric
  • Legal/Forensic
  • Administrative/Policy/Legislative
  • Community Organization

Forms (all forms are currently being updated, please check back soon)

Field Agency Forms

Field Agency Application
Field Instructor Application
Field Education Agreement
Acceptance/Non-acceptance Notification
Field Instructor's Manual- BSW Students
Field Instructor's Manual- MSW Students

BSW Student Forms

BSW Field Application
Field Practicum Student Agreement
BSW Field Manual
BSW Field Instructor's Manual
Faculty Liaison's Manual
BSW Learning Agreement
Field Placement Weekly Log
BSW Field Evaluation Form
List of Field Agencies

MSW Student Forms

MSW Field Application- 600 Level (Foundation)
MSW Field Application- 700 Level (Concentration)
Field Practicum Student Agreement
MSW Field Manual
MSW Field Instructor's Manual

Faculty Liaison's Manual
MSW Learning Agreement- 600 Level (Foundation)
MSW Learning Agreement- 700 Level (Concentration)
Field Placement Weekly Log
MSW Field Evaluation- 600 Level
MSW Field Evaluation- 700 Level
List of Field Agencies

Faculty Liaison Forms

Faculty Liaison Field Manual
Site Visit Form- 400 Level (Fill-in electronic) (Printable)
Site Visit Form- 600 Level (Fill-in electronic) (Printable)
Site Visit Form- 700 Level (Fill-in electronic) (Printable)

Contact Information

Interim Field Education Coordinator
Jill Manit, MSW
jmanit@unr.edu
(775) 682-8717
(775) 784-4573 fax
Ansari Business Building, Room 523