Discover Our World in Field Education
Field education is one of the most rewarding components of pursuing a degree in social work. This is a time for students to practice and develop social work skills under competent supervision while impacting communities, families, individuals and policy.
Programs of Study
BSW and MSW students are required to apply for field placement and complete a background check before they are placed with an agency. Students are placed using a holistic perspective. We consider input from students and consult with faculty, advisors, and the Field Committee to match each student’s educational needs with a specific agency.
We’re committed to considering students’ personal circumstances when making placement decisions but we cannot guarantee a particular field placement in a geographic area. For this reason, we encourage students to start early considering your obligations, your “musts” in life, the things you can put to the side during this course, and those things you can negotiate. Practicum is often about negotiating, which is an excellent social work skill. Begin this practice as you consider applying to one of our many field opportunities.
Field FAQs
Learn more about our Field Education Program in our Frequently Asked Questions! (pdf)BSW
Undergraduate students use the educational resources in the classroom and the field to develop a responsible, analytical approach to his or her own practice and to the practice of others.MSW
Graduate students apply classroom teaching and learning in real-world settings to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the development of practice competence.Washington, D.C.
A unique field opportunity in the nation’s capital that exposes BSW and MSW students to outstanding direct service programs and public policy and advocacy implementation.International
A transformative learning experience that teaches students firsthand about different cultures and how social welfare services are interpreted and provided abroad.Financial Assistance for Field
The School of Social Work offers generous stipends and scholarships for students who participate in the Washington, D.C. Internship, international and our many other field experiences. Field funding opportunities include:
- Veteran Affairs Training Stipend
- HRSA Transitional Youth Fellowship
- Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend
- Gilead Foundation Scholarship HIV/AIDS
- Pediatric Pulmonary Center Social Work Traineeship
- Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Traineeship
- Department of Youth Services Scholarship
Find a Field Placement Right for You
Our Field Education Office has developed a strong relationship with more than 300 agencies located in Alabama, Washington, D.C., out-of-state and internationally. We also offer specialized opportunities in Ghana, South Korea and China. We connect our students with agencies and organizations that provide services for:
- AIDS/HIV patients
- Developmental disabilities
- Health care
- Adoption
- Victims of domestic violence
- Inpatient psychiatry
- Aging/Alzheimer’s
- Corrections/criminal justice
- Child welfare
- Geropsychiatry
- Forensics
- Grief/bereavement
- Mental health
- Substance abuse/recovery
- Community-based practice
- Military/veterans
- Homeless
- School Social Work
Whatever your interest, our Field Office is ready to help you gain the experience you need to reach your educational goals.
Talk to a Field CoordinatorField Instructor and Agency Resources
The Field Education Program provides training and other resources to field instructors and agency partners because of the vital role each plays in educating our field students. The Field Team welcomes inquiries from social service agencies about SSW’s Field Education Program and social work professionals who wish to serve as a field instructor.
Partner with Field
The University of Alabama School of Social Work is committed to making its web resources accessible to all users, and welcomes comments or suggestions on access improvements. If you are unable to access the contents of these documents, please contact (205) 348-7027 or ssw@ua.edu.