Field education is an integral part of graduate social work education, providing a unique opportunity for students to integrate classroom learning with a supervised practice experience in various social work settings.
Students participate in two different field placements over the course of their studies, spending a minimum of 1,000 hours in the field. During the first field education placement (generalist practice year), students are matched with an agency where they will receive supervision and training from seasoned professional social workers. In the second field education placement (specialization year), students are placed in an agency with a focus on children, youth and families. Specialized placements extend the knowledge acquired from the generalist portion of the program, and provide specialized clinical skills to work with children, adolescents and/or their families.
Montclair State University has strong partnerships with agencies throughout the state of New Jersey. You may be placed in settings with areas of specialty including, but not limited to:
- Mental Health
- Behavioral Health
- Child Welfare
- Community Based Practice
- Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment
- LGBTQ Issues
- School Social Work
Field Education Hours
Students complete a minimum of 1,000 field hours over the course of their studies. In the generalist year, students participate in a field practicum about 15 hours per week, which are generally completed over two full days for a total of at least 400 hours. Students in advanced standing and students in the specialized year of the program participate in a field practicum about 21 hours per week, which are generally completed over three days, for a total of at least 600 hours.
Field Instructors and Field Liaisons
Montclair State University’s small cohort allows for each student to receive individual attention and be supported every step of the way. Experienced field instructors and field liaisons will work closely with you to support and guide your placement experience. Students work with a field instructor who will supervise them in their field placements and receive weekly individual and/or group supervision.
Students are also assigned a field liaison, who will monitor his/her field education experience. The field liaison works collaboratively with students, MSW faculty and field instructors to support the student’s placement. The field liaison will meet with the student and the field instructor at least twice during the practicum, and will be available to support the students and resolve any problems that may arise.
email: dixonl@montclair.edu
Name: Priya B. Sookbir, LCSW