Graduate level social work students fall into three categories that have slightly different requirements for field education.
Foundation MSW Students
- Foundation MSW students are required to complete four semesters of field education.
- These semesters are typically divided into two separate field placements of two semesters each.
- These are the course numbers associated with foundation MSW field placements:
- SW 721
- SW 722
- SW 821
- SW 822
Foundation students are required to complete one online asynchronous field seminar during their first field course (SW 721), which is facilitated by field faculty.
Advanced Standing MSW Students
- Advanced standing students are required to complete one, three-semester field placement.
- These are the course numbers associated with an advanced standing MSW field placement:
- SW 722
- SW 821
- SW 822
- These are the course numbers associated with an advanced standing MSW field placement:
- There is no additional field seminar required for these courses.
Post-MSW Students
- These students are almost exclusively part of the School Social Work program.
- All school social work students should immediately contact the School Social Work Coordinator Ke’Andra Hagans (klhagans@uwm.edu).
- Deadlines and requirements for school social work may differ due to Department of Public Instruction (DPI) regulations.
Hours required for MSW courses
| SW 721 | 215 hours (includes up to 15 hours for time spent on field seminar activities) | 14-17 hours per week |
| SW 722 | 200 hours | 14-17 hours per week |
| SW 821 | 250 hours and 3 credits or 300 hours and 4 credits | 17-21 hours per week or 20-25 hours per week |
| SW 822 | 250 hours and 3 credits or 300 hours and 4 credits | 17-21 hours per week or 20-25 hours per week |
How to Get Started
- Students must submit their field applications by the field deadlines.
- Learn more about applying to field.
- Faculty field liaisons review applications on a rolling basis around the middle of each month.
- Your field liaison will work with you to secure a field placement.
Applications open in Sonia when the prior semester’s application has closed.
Social Work Field Objectives
Policies and Procedures
Students who are graduating need to have all course incompletes resolved within one week of the semester end date in their graduation semester or risk having their graduation extended to the end of the following semester, per UWM policy.
Field Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: May 15
Spring Semester: September 15
Summer Semester: February 15
Veteran’s Administration: February 15
School Social Work: February 15
Field placements outside of Milwaukee County: February 15