Social Work: Field Education and CareersSocial Work: Field Education and Careers

Social Work: Field Education and Careers

Field Education

The purpose of field instruction is to help you integrate the theory and knowledge base of social work learned in the classroom with the practical experience gained through work in social welfare settings. 

Prerequisites are: senior standing, Social Work Practice with Individuals and Social Work Practice with Families and Groups, History and Philosophy of Social Welfare, Social Work Research Methods, Social Policy Analysis/Social Service Delivery, Human Growth and Behavior: Birth to Young Adult, Human Growth and Behavior: Young Adult to Late Life, Diversity in a Changing World, and Human Sexuality and Society. Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities and Policy Practice in Social Work must be completed or taken concurrently.

You'll be working in a social agency or organization in the community under an experienced social work supervisor in cooperation with a member of Cal U's social work faculty. Placement procedures are usually initiated during the semester preceding the beginning of the field placement.  Download our Field Manual (.pdf) to learn more.

In the field placement you will spend a minimum of 32 hours per week (four days a week, eight hours a day) for one term (480 hours) in a social agency or organization in the community in which social welfare services are rendered. The practicum serves as a means of immediate, concentrated, direct introduction to the career field.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the social work program, you're eligible for membership in the National Association of Social Workers and for advanced standing in most accredited graduate social work programs. This degree provides career opportunities in a variety of human service settings, including government agencies; mental and/or behavioral health care facilities; hospitals and outpatient health care agencies, schools; drug and alcohol programs; prisons and other legal settings; family service agencies; etc. Social workers provide direct or indirect services on behalf of individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Cal U prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge, integrity, character and experience. With the help of Career Services, we'll connect you to potential employers through networking events, job shadowing opportunities, on-campus recruiting, job and internship fairs, and organizational visits. 

Where Our Graduates Are Working

  • ACRP
  • Alliance Medical Services
  • Beginnings
  • Bedford Somerset Mental Health Mental Retardation
  • Cambria County Children and Youth Services
  • Catholic Charities
  • Children and Family First
  • Children and Youth Systems
  • Children Youth and Family
  • Children Youth Services Greene County
  • Communities in Schools
  • Community Action Southwest
  • CVC
  • Footsteps Psychological Services
  • Fulton County
  • Lee Regional Hospice
  • Milton Diagnostic Treatment Center
  • Mon  Valley Hospital
  • Monsour Medical Center
  • Mt. Macrina Manor
  • Nolton Diagnostic
  • Northwestern Human Services
  • Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole
  • Sharp Visions Inc.
  • Somerset County Domestics Relations
  • Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc.
  • The Bradley Center
  • Twin Lakes Center for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
  • Washington County CYS
  • Washington Women's Shelter
  • Westmoreland County
  • Youth Advocate Programs