Social Work

What is a Field Placement?

A Field Placement is an opportunity for students to take the knowledge and gained in the classroom and put it into practice. Field is a required course in the BSW Program.

When do Traditional BSW students complete the field placement?

For students in the Traditional BSW program, the field experience is completed during the students final spring semester as a block placement. Students can start the placement in late January and complete the placement during the last week of April-first week of May.

Can the field placement be arranged for evening and/or weekend hours?

The School of Social Work does have partnerships with agencies that have non-traditional hours; however, those placements are very limited and are highly competitive. Most students will complete their placement during the traditional hours of 8:00-5:00.

Students should plan to be in their placement for 16-20 hours per week when supervision is available, which for most students means during traditional work hours.

Can students complete their field placement where they live?

The BSW Field Directors will work with students to find a placement as close to their home as possible. The Field Directors cannot guarantee a placement within the town that the student lives in as the priority is providing the best educational opportunity for the student. There are set requirements that agencies must meet in order to be a placement option for students. The Field Directors will work with students and agencies to ensure that the placement will be the best possible option for the student.

All placements are arranged through the BSW Field Director. Students should coordinate all communication with the Field Director prior to reaching out to an agency.

Do students have to set up their own field placement?

No. Students will meet with the BSW Field Director prior to starting their field placement to determine where the student will complete their field. The Field Director will determine which agencies might be a good fit for the student and contact those agencies directly.

After contacting the agencies, the Field Director will instruct the student to set up a time to interview with the agency. After the interview, the student and the Field Director will work together to decide where the best field placement will be.

Are their field placement agencies that provide stipends to students?

It is uncommon for stipends to be provided to students by agencies as the primary focus is educationally-based. There are some agencies that will provide stipends and this can be discussed with the BSW Field Director when reviewing placement options.

Students who are interested in the DCS Stipend program should inform the BSW Field Director by the end of their sophomore year in order to take advantage of this opportunity.

Can students complete their field placement at their place of employment?

Social work field placements are typically educationally focused and unpaid experiences. However, under some circumstances paid employment may be considered. Employment-based placements are an exception to the program's standard practice, which is that field placements should be separate from employment. Students may request the Employment-Based Field Placement Application from the BSW Field Director and once complete, consult with the Field Director to determine if this is an option.

The Field Director reserves the right to approve field placements on site of paid-employment based upon a pre-approved set of guidelines.

Are students required to have personal liability insurance?

All Union university social work students are required to have liability insurance before starting their field placement. Students will be covered through the university policy and students are billed for the cost of the coverage. The BSW Field Director will provide agencies with proof of the student's coverage.

Do students have to have a vehicle to complete the field placement?

No, however, students are responsible for their own transportation to and from their field placement agency.

Students who drive must have a current, valid driver's license and automobile insurance. All students are prohibited from transporting agency clients in their personal vehicles or in vehicles provided by the agency.

If I complete the BSW program, does it fulfill the requirements to obtain licensure after graduation?

Yes, students who successfully complete the BSW Program at Union meet the education requirements for licensure.

Professional Licensure Disclosures

Can I receive School Social Work Licensure through the Union University social work program?

Yes, students who take the School Social Work course and complete their internship in a school-based setting can apply for social work licensure in the state of Tennessee. This information is based on Tennessee School Social Work licensure and may differ from surrounding states.