Field Education in Your Foundation Year
When does field placement begin?
Field placement begins approximately three weeks after the start of classes.
Is there a field orientation?
Yes, the field orientation course is located on the Learning Management System under SOWK 586a‐Field Practicum and must be completed prior to the start of field. Student Support will contact each student that has not reviewed this course prior to the start of field placement.
How will I be notified where I have been placed?
Most students will receive an email notification once a placement selection has been identified. This notification will have the placement information and a request to contact your assigned agency for a pre-placement visit. It is extremely important that you contact your field instructor immediately after receiving your notification so that you can meet your field instructor; discuss hours of your internship, orientation and trainings; and begin satisfying the specific agency requirements and clearances. In most cases, all agency requirements and clearances must be completed prior to working directly with clients.
Can I choose my field placement in the foundation year?
No, the placement committee is responsible for selecting your field placement based on your geographic location, prior experience and expectations, while striving to provide an internship that will broaden your educational and life experiences.
How many hours a week will I need to commit to my field placement?
You will need to complete a minimum of 16 hours per week for a total of 450 hours by the close of the second semester. Based on student performance, additional hours may be required.
What days am I at my field placement?
Students are required to maintain a schedule that is reflective of a minimum of one eight-hour day during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). Field placement days are typically Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, given a 16-hour per week placement schedule, during normal business hours. Other days can be arranged based on your class schedule. Alternative schedules must be approved by the national field coordinator. Confirmation of placement sites that can meet alternative schedule requests may take additional development time and may delay your placement start.
Are there weekend and weeknight placements available?
Field placements occur on weekdays during regular business hours. Students are encouraged to consider adjustments in their schedules that can accommodate a weekday schedule. Field placement agencies able to accommodate interns on non-weekdays are minimal. Please contact VACDEV@usc.edu, and a member of our agency development team will contact you to discuss your specific situation. We cannot guarantee placements at alternative times.
What happens if my field placement begins late?
Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances with the student, agency or field instructor, a student may begin a placement late in the program. Delayed notification and placement can also occur due to a student’s geographic location, relocation, submitting a late placement application, change of concentration, change of cohort, military sub-concentration, special circumstances or limited availability for field. In these circumstances, students will receive updates from the agency development team and are expected to work with their field liaison and field instructor to determine how they will meet their required hours for their practicum, which in some circumstances may mean additional hours per week or an extended length of time with the agency.
Can I do my field placement where I work?
Due to limitations in learning, consideration for agency of employment as a placement is typically reserved for the concentration year. Additional information and review are required for such requests. We are unable to guarantee that your place of employment can serve as your placement. If you would like more information, please contact the agency development team at VACDEV@usc.edu.
Will my field placement be close to where I live?
We make every attempt to locate an educationally appropriate placement as close to your residence as possible and seek to place students within 45 minutes to one hour from your home. At times, the best placement match is further from your home than you may prefer.
If I do not have a car, how will it impact the selection of my field placement?
While we can accommodate you, the number of field placement options for non-driving students is limited and may delay your placement notification.
Will I be placed with the client population of my choice?
In the foundation year, the placement committee assigns your placement, which will not be in your preferred area of practice. The purpose of the foundation year placement is to expand your knowledge base and offer you an area of learning that is different from your past experiences. However, in the concentration year, students are placed in their area of interest.
What specific requirements must be completed prior to starting my placement?
Many field placement agencies require fingerprinting, criminal clearance and tuberculosis (TB) testing. Some agencies require proof of car insurance, a good driving record, a medical evaluation and/or drug testing. Please discuss the clearance requirements and any required trainings/orientation with your agency during your pre-placement meeting. If you have a special consideration that has not been indicated on your field placement application, please contact VACDEV@usc.edu, and an agency development team member will be in contact with you to discuss your special consideration.
If I have circumstances that impede my placement in certain agencies, will that affect my field placement?
It is imperative that the agency development team be apprised of any special circumstances as soon as possible to make appropriate placement assignments that will not jeopardize your confidentiality or the agency requirements. Depending on the circumstance, the pool of potential agencies may be limited and the time necessary to identify an appropriate placement site could delay your notification. Should this information not be forthcoming, it may impede your successful progression through the program.
Will I receive payment?
Most of our field placement agencies do not provide a stipend or salary for students. While some offer stipends for language ability or other special circumstances, we do not select agencies based on whether a stipend is provided, but on the type of learning opportunities available to students. Since we do not require agencies to compensate students, a stipend or salary is never guaranteed.
Can I do an administrative placement in the foundation year?
No, all foundation year students are required to spend 50 percent of their 16 hours per week engaged in direct clinical practice with individuals, families and groups. Students are also required to fulfill a 30-hour macro project. A strictly macro placement is reserved for the concentration year.
Will I receive a grade for the field placement?
The foundation year field practicum is a three-unit course for which you will receive a CR (credit), NC (no credit) or an IP (in progress) at the end of the semester. You will be evaluated by the field instructor and field liaison and will receive a grade for each semester.
