Vibrant Programs
A Program for Transformative Social Change
In the entrepreneurial spirit, Professor Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes and Professor Stephanie Berzin have taken leadership roles in the establishment of a new GSSW macro program: Social Innovation and Leadership Program and Collaborative (SIL). more »
Re-Imagining Diversity
The Boston College Graduate School of Social Work made a historic commitment to infuse cross-cultural training into every single course. more »
Field Placement Schedule
Full-time Students
The first-year field placement is scheduled for 16 hours per week for 30 weeks from early September through the first week of May. Students are typically in the field on Monday and Tuesday of each week. The final year field placement is scheduled for 24 hours per week; students are usually in the field on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for 30 weeks from early September through the first week in May.
Three-Year Program
There are two field placement schedule options for students in the three-year program. Students who have current social work experience are eligible to take a summer block option for the first field placement, which is an extended field placement taken during the summer after their second year in the program. Summer block is scheduled for 40 hours per week from late May through August. Students should contact Field Education administration for the Approval of Summer block placement. Students typically continue in the same placement agency in the fall to complete their final year placement. The final year placement is scheduled for 24 hours per week for 30 weeks. Students are in the field on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from early September through the first week in May.
Students who have no current social work experience begin their placement at the start of the second academic year of the three-year part-time program and are usually in the field on Monday and Tuesday for 16 hours per week for 30 weeks. In the third year, these students will enroll in the traditional three-day 24 hour per week placements scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
All extended-program students will work closely with their administrative advisor to determine their suitability for either field placement schedule.
Student Plan
| Full-Time | Three Year Program Concurrent |
Three Year Program Summer |
Advanced Standing January |
Advanced Standing June |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | First Yr. Field Ed |
First Yr. Field Ed Spring |
First Yr. Field Ed Summer |
||
| Year 2 | Final Yr. Field Ed |
First Yr. Field Ed |
First Yr. Field Ed |
||
| Year 3 | Final Yr. Field Ed |
Final Yr. Field Ed |
Placement in Employing Agency
In certain instances, students may complete their field education requirements by doing a field placement at the agency where they are employed, called a "PEA." The agency must meet the following requirements:
- MSW supervision to the student from a person who is not the employee's current supervisor.
- A placement experience that offers different services and responsibilities from those that exist in the student's current employee role.
- Continued financial support to the student as an employee.
For this placement opportunity, students must submit a proposal outlining the arrangement and obtain a signed agreement from agency administration. Please contact the Field Education office at swfield@bc.edu or 617-552-4027 to obtain templates for the PEA proposal and agreement.
