Drawing on our expertise and research, our faculty is dedicated to enabling students to use scientific approaches to discovery and understanding.
The power of imagination
It defines the successes of students at UNK, whether in the humanities, sciences, education, or business.
Rich tradition. Bright future.
Curriculum at UNK is designed to be student-centered and intellectually challenging, while preparing students through field and internship experiences.
Taking care of business
We provide value to Nebraska by preparing students to compete in dynamic professional environments and by promoting academic, social, technological and economic development.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) considers field placement as “signature pedagogy,” and an integral component of the socialization of students in to the social work identity and profession. Field placement allows students to put their theoretical knowledge and the skills they have learned into practice. The integration is crucial to demonstrate students’ professional preparedness for practice and assess the program’s achievement of its goals, objectives, and competencies.
Field Placement includes three components that take place simultaneously in one semester:
SOWK 480, Field Placement I (Agency Practice experience)
SOWK 481, Field Placement II (Agency Practice experience)
SOWK 482, Senior Social Work Seminar (Classroom experience)
Admission to the Field Placement requires that students have completed all core social work courses, received at least a grade of C in each course, and have a cumulative grand point average of 2.5 or better.
Students may apply for admission to this 400 clock hour field experience while enrolled in SOWK 442, Social Work Practice with Groups.
The Field Placement Coordinator will schedule a meeting each semester for students who anticipate field placement for the next semester.
Each field placement student will be given a field placement application and manual that outlines the requirements and responsibilities of field placement in detail.
Students are encouraged to discuss their placement ideas with the Field Coordinator or their advisor prior to completing the application.
The Field Placement Committee will convene to review all applications, evaluate the student’s readiness for field, and make recommendations for placement based on the expressed interests of students.
Upon acceptance to the field placement, students will be expected to meet with the Field Placement Coordinator to discuss their placement interest and possible settings.
Students are expected to arrange for their interview with prospective agency instructors.
Students wishing to be placed at the same agency will be selected by the agency based upon their interviews.
The program is open to exploring new agency settings suggested by the student, but the program retains the right to accept or deny specific agencies.
In meeting CSWE guidelines, the program is responsible for using placement sites that provide adequate supervision for BSW candidates, in a variety of appropriate generalist practice work experiences, and that adhere to ethical guidelines that are an integral part of social work practice.
Important Note: No academic credit is given for previous life experience or previous work experience.
Approved Field Placement AgenciesPlease Note: Information about field placement agencies is available from the Field Placement Coordinator and is also included in the Field Manual provided to applicants.
The Social Work Department is committed to supporting the field experience of students. Each semester a limited number of Field Placement stipends are made available to assist students who meet certain criteria.
Please refer to the Social Work page in Canvas and select the Field Placement icon for the Field Placement Stipend Application.
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The power of imagination
Rich tradition. Bright future.
Taking care of business
