Academic Programs - Field Education
Master's of Social Work Field Placement
The field experience for MSW students constitutes 1080 hours over four terms (18 credit hours) for full-time MSW students.
Part-time students who enter without advanced standing also complete 1080 hours (18 credit hours) of field education; however these hours are distributed over a greater number of semesters.
Advanced standing students complete 720 hours (12 credit hours) typically distributed over two terms (full-time students) to four terms (part-time students).
Read the FAQs about MSW Field Placement >
Structure
The structure for the MSW Program is as follows:
Full Time:
First Year
Fall Term (Mid-October–December)—3 credits, concurrent
Field Seminar—1 hour per week (August–December)
Spring Term (January–May)—3 credits, concurrent
Second Year and Advanced Standing
Fall Term (September–December)—6 credits, concurrent
Spring Term (January–May)—6 credits, concurrent
Options
Other options may be planned in special circumstances.
Part-Time Students (Main Campus)
First Year
Summer Term (May–August) Concentration Field Advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Summer Term (May–August) Foundation Field Non-advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Field Seminar—1 hour per week (May–August)
Second year
Fall Term (September–December) Concentration Field Advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Fall Term (September–December) Foundation Field Non-advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Spring Term (January–May) Concentration Field Advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Spring Term (January–May) Foundation Students Classes Only
Summer Term (May–August) Concentration Field Advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Summer Term (May–August) Concentration Field Non-advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Third year
Fall Term (September–December) Concentration Field Non-advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Spring Term (January–May) Concentration Field Non-advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Summer Term (May–August) Concentration Field Non-advanced Standing Students—3 Credits
Fourth year
Second field placement occurs until 12 credits (720 hours) are satisfied, usually at the rate of 16–24 hours per week; the student may or may not be taking classes depending on the status of fulfillment of coursework
* First year non-advanced standing students attend a field seminar for 1 hour per week during the first Fall term of the MSW Program. Part-time non-advanced standing students attend a field seminar for 1 hour per week during the first Summer Term of the MSW Program.
Part-time students (UPJ, UPB)
Students at UPJ and UPB will follow the same sequence as part time students at the main (Pgh) campus.
*Advanced Standing (UPJ, UPB)—Advanced Standing Students will follow the same sequence as part time advanced standing students at the main (Pgh) campus. Advanced standing placement occurs until 12 credits (720 hours) are satisfied.