What is field education?
Field education is the signature pedagogy of social work. Through close working relationships with a broad range of agencies within a 100-mile radius of Binghamton University, the Department of Social Work demonstrates its commitment to the community by dedicating service to various populations.
The MSW program helps to define and meet the needs of individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities, while providing students with opportunities to explore interests and develop skills.
Field instruction begins with the development of a generalist foundation of social work theory and practice, then continues with advanced generalist training. In both levels, students complete 510 hours in the field, in field placements coordinated by the field education staff.
Students earn eight academic credits and spend 15 field hours per week for 34 weeks over two semesters at an agency, for a total of 16 academic credits and 1,020 field hours in two agencies over the course of the MSW program.
Students are expected to fulfill their field hours on two weekdays, during regular field agency hours, under the supervision of a licensed MSW-level field instructor. Both full-time and part-time students are expected to adjust their schedules to meet the field hour requirement.
Important Notice: COVID-19 Vaccine & Field Education
Students entering the Department of Social Work are required to complete an on site field placement as scheduled in the curriculum as part of their degree requirements. At this time, and for the foreseeable future, most of our agencies where students are placed require full vaccination for COVID. Sites may have varying requirements; religious exemptions may not be available and the site may have very narrow guidelines for medical exemptions. Any religious exemption granted by Binghamton University applies only to the University setting; it does not apply to off-campus affiliated activities or locations. Being unable to complete the required field education component will affect a student's ability to progress within and graduate from the Department of Social Work.
For field instructors
- 2021 Field Manual
- Prospective field agency form
- Field instructor credential form
- Field Liaison Meeting Report
Field Office Newsletters (helpful information and field office updates for students and field instructors)
Tools used in field instruction
- Explanation of the student learning plan
- Supervision Info Sheet and Preparation Tools
- Weekly supervision log
- Process recording instructions
- Process recording sample
For generalist year (first internship) MSW students and field instructors
Please note: These assignments are for reference only. All fieldwork assignments are now completed and submitted through Tevera.
- Learning plan (sample)
- Process recording confirmation of completion
- Field instructor midterm evaluation
- Field instructor final evaluation
For advanced generalist year (second internship) MSW students and field instructors
Please note: These assignments are for reference only. All fieldwork assignments are now completed and submitted through Tevera.
