Resources on this Page
- BSW Field Student Info/forms
- MSW Foundation Field Student info/forms
- MSW Concentration Field Student info/forms
- Field Instructors
- Forms
- Contact Information
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 on the Field Practicum Student Forms page-currently under construction)
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
BSW Student Introduction Memo 2009
MSW Student Introduction Memo 2009
2009 BSW Student info/forms
2009 MSW Foundation Student info/forms
2009 MSW Concentration Student info/forms
Site Orientation/Termination Checklist
BSW Learning Agreement
BSW Evaluation of Student Performance
MSW Foundation Learning Agreement
MSW Foundation Evaluation of Student Performance
MSW Concentration Learning Agreement
MSW Concentration Evaluation of Student Performance
Field Instructor Documentation of Concerns
2009 Field Calendar
Field Agency Forms
Field Agency Application (fill in online) (print)
Field Instructor Application (fill in online) (print)
Field Education Contract (fill in online) (print)
Field Education Coordinator
Jill Manit, MSW
jmanit@unr.edu
(775) 682-8717 direct
(775) 784-6542 main
(775) 784-4573 fax
Ansari Business Building, Room 523