Field Education

At the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, we know that offering students the chance to gain hands-on experience in a range of settings is the foundation of an effective social work education. Online MSW students spend a large portion of their time in the program completing field education, virtually and in person.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,100 field training hours plus a minimum of 100 field hours through attendance and participation with their field class, orientation and evidence-based intervention training (if applicable).

Agencies and students are expected to create a schedule of 16 hours per week in SOWK-591 and SOWK-593 and 24 hours per week in SOWK-691 and SOWK-693. (Summer Semester: Students enrolled in SOWK-691 or SOWK-693 during the Summer will need to increase their weekly field hours an additional 4 hours per week.)

Per alignment with CSWE, if students exceed the minimum number of field hours through full attendance they are still expected to maintain a consistent schedule for field and are not allowed to end their field placements prior to the last day of field education. 

For more details, you can view our FAQ sheet here.

You will begin your field education with the Virtual Field Practicum (VFP), an online experience that allows you to hone your practice and gain confidence in a controlled, secure environment.

Once you have established a foundation online, you will complete in-person, community-based placements that develop your clinical skills and prepare you to work in a range of settings.

Part 1: Virtual Field Practicum

210 Hours

Location: Online group sessions in virtual classroom

Guidance: Experienced professor during sessions

Training: Clinical simulations with an actor portraying a client

Required for: Students in the MSW program

Part 2: Community-Based Field Placement

A minimum of 890 hours

Location: Real-world agency setting

Guidance: Supervisory practitioners during internships

Training: Hands-on, in-person training with real clients

Required for: Students in the MSW program

Through virtual field education, you will gain evidence-based training to master the following:

Through the VFP, you will build the confidence you need to begin your community-based field placement and make an immediate impact in the lives of others.

Throughout the MSW@USC, you will complete field internships in or near your own community. Under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, you hone your knowledge and demonstrate your skills in a real-world setting. Placement is crucial to your success as a social worker — it is when your class learning and clinical skills come together.

Your placement requirement is a significant commitment; you will spend 50 percent of your time in the program working with clients in the field.

Monday through Friday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A MINIMUM OF 890 TOTAL HOURS | 3 FULL SEMESTERS | 16-24 HOURS PER WEEK

Each week, you will spend 16 to 24 hours working directly with clients in a supervised environment. You must complete your placement hours during regular weekday business hours: Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Most students visit their placement sites two or three days per week.

Because the field component requires a substantial amount of time each week, we recommend that you do not work full time during the semesters in which you are completing field hours.

When you enroll in the online MSW program, you begin working with a field placement specialist. The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is affiliated with field sites across the United States, which allows us to help you find a successful placement no matter where you live.

At your placement site, a field instructor will manage your progress and offer guidance as well as provide feedback on your performance. USC faculty will ensure you are meeting program and professional milestones throughout your internship.

You can access the MSW@USC Field Education Manual here (PDF, 899 KB).

A community-based field placement allows you to gain professional experience and grow your clinical skills. During your placement, you will master the following:

You will also have the chance to build invaluable, long-standing relationships in your own social work community.

Take the next step toward gaining the hands-on field experience that will prepare you to improve the lives of your clients.