Field Education

A Faculty Liaison is a faculty representative assigned to oversee the academic integrity and progress of a student’s field education experience. The Liaison:

• Serves as the instructor of record for the practicum course
• Conducts periodic check-ins or site visits to monitor learning outcomes
• Collaborates with the Field Instructor to ensure educational objectives are being met
• Evaluates student performance and assigns the final grade

The Faculty Liaison plays a key role in maintaining alignment between the practicum experience and the School’s academic and accreditation standards.

A Field Instructor is a qualified social work professional who provides practicum supervision and educational guidance for students completing their practicum placement. Field Instructors are typically employed by the practicum site and work in coordination with the School’s Field Education Program.

• MSW students must be assigned to a Field Instructor who holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

• BASW students may be assigned to a Field Instructor with either a BASW or MSW, based on the site’s capacity and the educational needs of the placement.

• All students are required to meet with their Field Instructor for a minimum of one hour of structured supervision each week.

Field Instructors play a key role in evaluating student performance and provide input that informs the student’s final grade, which is issued by the assigned Faculty Liaison.

A Field Preceptor is a staff member at the practicum site who provides day-to-day guidance and task-related support to the student during the placement. While Preceptors contribute to the student’s learning experience, they do not serve as the official Field Instructor of record.

In some settings, site leadership may assign overall supervisory responsibility to one MSW-qualified Field Instructor, who may then delegate aspects of daily supervision to another qualified staff member, including MSW professionals. However, the designated Field Instructor retains full responsibility for oversight, evaluation, and coordination with the Faculty Liaison.

A Practicum Agency or Practicum Site is an approved organization where students complete their field education requirements under structured supervision. All practicum sites must have a formal affiliation agreement on file with the University of Oklahoma School of Social Work (OUSSW) prior to student placement.

Approved sites may include, but are not limited to:

• Health care facilities
• Educational institutions
• Public or private social service agencies
• Correctional facilities
• Community-based programs and organizations

Sites vary in size and scope and may operate as public entities, private non-profit organizations, or healthcare systems. Each site must be capable of providing the supervision, resources, and educational opportunities necessary to support student learning and meet program and accreditation standards.

The Practicum Program offers several scheduling formats to align with academic planning and site availability. Each format must be approved by the Field Education Coordinator and must comply with program standards and accreditation requirements.

Norman and Tulsa Programs:

• Practicum Planning occurs in the semester before practicum begins.  (ex. FY Planning occurs in the Summer for a Practicum that runs Fall/Spring)

• Concurrent Placement (BASW & Foundation Year)
  A practicum is scheduled during the Fall/Spring semesters along with classroom coursework. Students typically spend 13-14 hours per week at the practicum site while simultaneously enrolled in required academic courses.
• Block Placement (Foundation Year Summer Block or Concentration Year)
  A practicum format in which students are not enrolled in significant classroom coursework during the placement term. Students generally spend 32-34 (FY Summer Block - 34; CY Spring Block - 32) hours per week at the site, allowing for immersive learning within a condensed period.
• Extended Placement (Concentration Year)
  A practicum that spans two consecutive semesters (spring and summer), with reduced classroom engagement. Students are usually onsite for 16 to 21 hours per week, allowing for gradual skill development across terms.

• Modified Placement:
  A placement schedule that occurs outside the standard practicum semester calendar, such as starting earlier or ending later than usual. Modified placements require formal approval and coordination to ensure that all learning objectives and supervision standards are met.

Online Program:

• All practicum placements are two semesters in duration.  Planning occurs the semester before each practicum.  Depending on where you are in your program, practicum could take place in one of the following formats: 
  • Fall & Spring
  • Spring & Summer
  • Summer & Fall

MSW Program

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program requires a total of 900 clock hours of practicum experience. Students complete 400 hours during the Foundation Year and 500 hours during the Concentration Year.

Students admitted with Advanced Standing have already met the foundational practicum requirements through their accredited undergraduate social work education. These students complete 500 hours of practicum during their concentration year.

BASW Program

Undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Social Work (BASW) program complete 400 clock hours of practicum experience.

Practicum hours are distributed across two required courses—SWK 4315 and SWK 4325—typically taken in the final year. Students generally spend 13-14 hours per week at their placement site, earning at least 200 hours per semester. Enrollment in corresponding classroom courses is required during practicum participation to ensure integrated learning and supervision.

The practicum placement process may vary by campus. Each student will receive detailed information about placement procedures and available sites during a Field Planning Orientation Meeting, conducted by the campus-based Field Education Coordinator. This orientation ensures students are prepared to make informed decisions about placement opportunities that support their professional learning and development.

An Employment-Based Practicum Placement (EBPP) allows a student to fulfill practicum requirements at their current place of employment, provided specific criteria are met to ensure the educational integrity of the experience.

Criteria for an EBPP

• The student must be employed by a social service organization that can offer structured learning opportunities aligned with practicum competencies.
• Practicum responsibilities must be clearly distinct from the student’s regular job duties.
  Example: If employment duties involve case management with children and families, the practicum may focus on facilitating group sessions for adults. A student's job will not simply count as practicum. 
• The agency must support the dual role of employee and student by providing:
  • Protected time for field education and coursework
  • Opportunities to engage in new or enhanced learning experiences
  • A learning environment that allows for professional development activities (e.g., shadowing, training, community visits)
• A qualified Field Instructor, who is not the student’s employment supervisor or employee, must be available to provide the required supervision and educational oversight.

What an EBPP Is Not:

• An EBPP does not grant academic credit for regular employment duties.
• It is not a way for agencies to increase labor output or redistribute workload to others.
• It is not a substitute for a previously assigned practicum placement if a new employment opportunity arises mid-year

Key Considerations for EBPP Requests:

1. EBPPs are considered only for students working in a social service capacity and require approval from the Field Education Coordinator.
2. Pre-authorization is not available, and retroactive approval is not permitted.
3. Approval is not guaranteed and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
4. The Practicum Program does not guarantee paid placements, nor does it arrange compensation for EBPPs.
5. Prior work or life experience cannot substitute for practicum hours or learning objectives.
6. Compensation decisions rest solely with the employing agency and are not managed by the School or Practicum Program.

No. Previous or current employment cannot be counted toward required practicum hours unless it is part of an approved Employment-Based Practicum Placement (EBPP). Practicum credit is granted only for structured, supervised learning experiences that meet academic and professional standards established by the Practicum Program and CSWE guidelines.

A limited number of scholarships may be available to students engaged in practicum placements. These scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process.

Students are encouraged to consider the availability of scholarship-supported placements as one of several factors when exploring potential practicum sites. The Practicum Program does not guarantee scholarships or paid placements and is not involved in the funding decisions made by individual agencies or outside organizations.

Yes, students may request to complete a practicum placement outside the state, but such placements are subject to approval by the Field Education Coordinator of that program and must meet all educational and supervision standards required by the School and CSWE accreditation.

Out-of-state placements must:

• Be hosted by an agency that provides appropriate educational opportunities aligned with practicum competencies.
• Include qualified supervision by an approved Field Instructor.
• Meet all university, program, and accreditation requirements for oversight, safety, and communication.

Students are advised to begin the approval process early and to work closely with their Field Education Coordinator to ensure compliance and coordination with academic timelines.

Yes, most practicum sites maintain professional expectations regarding dress and appearance, which may vary depending on the setting and type of services provided. Students are expected to comply with the site’s established guidelines and represent the profession with professionalism in both conduct and attire.

Students will receive dress code expectations as part of their orientation to the placement site. If clarification is needed, they should consult directly with their Field Instructor or Field Education Coordinator.

Yes. All students participating in a field practicum are required to carry malpractice student liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per incident / $3,000,000 aggregate. Proof of insurance must be submitted to both the Field Education Coordinator and the practicum site before the start of the placement.

Students are responsible for purchasing their own coverage. Affordable student rates are available through professional organizations and independent insurance providers. 

Additional guidance and campus-specific instructions will be provided during Practicum Planning, and relevant forms and resources are available in the Practicum Planning Canvas course.

Yes. MSW students must be assigned to a Field Instructor who holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

BASW students may be supervised by a Field Instructor with either a BASW or an MSW, depending on site availability and educational alignment.

All students are required to meet with their Field Instructor for a minimum of one hour of dedicated supervision each week. While it is preferred that Field Instructors hold professional licensure, it is not a formal requirement for assignment.

Please refer to the Field Education Manual (PDF) and Online MSW Program Handbook (PDF)  for information.

Students are expected to remain in practicum for the full duration of the academic term, regardless of when required hours are completed. Any deviation from the established practicum calendar must be approved in advance by the assigned Faculty Liaison and agreed upon by the Field Instructor.

If a student needs to propose a significant adjustment to the practicum schedule, they must complete a Request for Modified Practicum form. 

Final approval of such requests rests with the Field Education Coordinator. 

Early completion of hours does not automatically release a student from ongoing educational responsibilities associated with the placement.

Some practicum sites may require students to obtain a parking pass, depending on the agency’s location and parking policies. Students are responsible for any related costs.

The School does not provide funding for parking expenses. Students are encouraged to confirm parking requirements with their practicum site during the placement planning process.