Field Education

You’ll develop professional skills and competence in practice.

Field education teaches students to apply the theory and knowledge learned in the classroom to social work practice in agency settings. You’ll work directly through human service agencies—with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. All internships are assigned by the field education department, and you’ll be expected to comply with the policies and procedures (PDF) of the department.

We are affiliated with more than 1,000 human service agencies throughout the New York metropolitan region, including, but not limited to:

• Child welfare agencies
• Community centers
• Detention centers and correctional facilities
• Domestic violence agencies
• Mental health clinics
• Medical and psychiatric hospitals
• Nursing homes and extended care facilities
• Residential treatment facilities
• Schools
• Substance abuse treatment programs
• Veteran’s programs
• Youth service agencies

Field instruction begins in September and continues through the January intersession (though many students do not attend classes during intersession). Evening hour assignments are available, but all students are required to be available for a minimum of one full day or two half days during weekday hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).

While completing your internship, you must:

• Comply with placement agency hours, policies and practices
• Complete 200 hours for your undergraduate junior year
• Complete 400 hours for your undergraduate senior year
• Complete 600 hours for your foundation and advanced years as a graduate student

Here are some other responsibilities to consider. You are responsible for:

• Arranging transportation to and from your field placement
• Considering housing availability between semesters
• Considering any and all financial obligations between semesters

Field Education Application Process

For us to secure your placement in the field education program, the Adelphi University School of Social Work requires a formal application and documentation process for every student. If you’re interested in a particular placement, you may provide the field department with the agency name, and we’ll contact the agency directly to discuss the possibility of an internship placement.

Before you apply for your field placement, you must:

• Meet with your adviser or liaison
• Consider attending a placement planning meeting
• Then—and only then—meet with the field education department
• Complete an application for your placement

Once you’ve applied and an agency has been identified, you’ll be notified by the department to set up a confirmation interview with the agency.

After the interview, if your placement is confirmed, you will receive an assignment letter via email. The letter will also be copied to the agency, your field instructor and your liaison. This letter provides all contact information for the above-mentioned parties, as well as the start and end date for field placement.

Undergraduate Field Instruction

Undergraduate social work students are assigned to different field placements in their junior and senior years. The junior year requires a minimum of 200 hours for the year and will focus on varied social work methods, client populations and service delivery systems. An assignment will also support the integration of beginning practice skills and an introduction to the social work profession. Your senior year placement requires a minimum of 400 hours and will emphasize developing practice skills for work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Graduate Field Instruction

In your foundation year field placement, you’ll complete a minimum of 600 hours of field instruction with an emphasis on developing foundation practice skills. In your advanced year field placement, you’ll also complete a minimum of 600 hours of field instruction in advanced, direct social work practice.

Advanced standing students come in to the program with a B.S.W. and are required to do the following:

• Complete the advanced year internship
• Complete additional hours of field instruction or other foundation courses if your program is determined to vary significantly from Adelphi’s foundation curriculum

One-Year Residency (OYR) students already have significant work experience in the field under the supervision of an LMSW or LCSW. They’re required to:

• Take a four-credit professional seminar, SWK 601, concurrent with the foundation practice courses
• Complete 900 hours of field instruction in the advanced year concurrent with advanced social work practice and methods course work

Field Education Department