Host a Social Work Student

Let your Organization benefit from the knowledge and passion of a Social Work Student.

Overview

Would your organization benefit from the knowledge and passion of a social work student? Are you committed to mentoring social work students in their field education?  If so, hosting a social work student for their field placement could be a fit for you.

The School of Social Work at Portland State University is seeking organizations that are interested in hosting social work students in field placements. We partner with over 500 field placement sites and match over 700 students a year in educationally focused field placement experiences.  Field placements should provide opportunities for students to be exposed to a range of roles and skills, client populations, service delivery models, culturally-responsive approaches, policy advocacy areas, while developing competence in social work skills and professional values.

Benefits of Hosting a Social Work Student

• Collaborate with students on innovative projects and practices that support agency strategic direction
• Supervision CEUs for Registered and Licensed Social Workers in Oregon who provide Field Instruction
• Attend our continuing education trainings and earn free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Reduced fee tuition benefit at PSU
• Network with other professional social workers
• Develop a workforce pipeline in your agency
• Access faculty privileges to the PSU Library

Read Field Education Spotlights »

How Field Placements Work

Placements typically begin in September and end in June. 

BSW and first year MSW students spend 12 hours/week engaged in their placement for a total of 400 hours. Final year/Advanced MSW students spend 16 hours/week in their placement for a total of 500 hours.

Students' schedules are individually negotiated with their field instructors and must not conflict with their classroom schedule.

Students receive 1 hour of educational supervision per week with a qualified field instructor.

Types of Field Placements We Can Provide

Generalist placements encourage students to have direct contact with service users (individual, family and/or group) and to have learning opportunities at the organization and community levels.

Advanced placements encourage students to develop expertise with a specific population, field of practice, or service delivery mode within the student’s chosen concentration. Advanced concentrations include:   

• Advanced Macro Practice (Macro)
• Advanced Clinical Practice (CLIN)

Learn more about advanced concentrations »

Field Placement Roles

MSW Field Instructors

MSW field instructors are required to have a MSW and two (2) years post degree experience. Field instructors provide weekly individual and/or group educational supervision.

BSW Field Instructors

BSW field instructors are required to have a BSW or and MSW and two (2) years post degree experience. Field instructors provide weekly individual and/or group educational supervision.

Site Supervisors

Site supervisors work in the agency or program and provide day-to-day support to the student when the field instructor is not available.

Faculty Liaisons

Faculty liaisons conduct site visits with the student, field instructor and site supervisor and serve as liaison to the organization.

Apply

Apply to be a Field Instructor »

Apply to be a Field Placement Site »

Contact Jessica Hayes if you experience any difficulty accessing the forms: jessica.hayes@pdx.edu