Can I use my employment site as a field placement site (called a job conversion or job-related placement)?

Using the student’s regular workplace for a field practicum is strictly prohibited in most schools of social work. The goal of work is performance, while the goal of the practicum is student learning. However, it is possible for a student to obtain a placement at the agency where they currently work providing that the educational experience includes substantial "new learning" in the areas of knowledge, values and skills. The student’s regular work may not be considered a field practicum unless the student submits the Job Conversion Application and all requirements for this rare exception are met.

Approval of the use of an employment setting as a field placement is dependent upon the ability of the agency to safeguard the student’s learning needs. This normally means that a different supervisor in a different unit would supervise field work with different clients than are part of the student’s regular work assignment.

Students requesting a field practicum at a current job site must complete the Job Conversation Application or Job-Related Placement Application. The application will describe the student's current work assignments and identify how fieldwork activities will be significantly different from employment responsibilities. The proposal will be reviewed by the Director of Field Education and/or designated Field Coordinator who will make the final decision on whether the proposal is approved or not. Criteria for consideration includes (but is not limited to):

1. There must be an MSW employed at the work site who is NOT the employment supervisor who is willing and able to be a field instructor.
2. The field education instructor must be an MSW and cannot have any authority over the student's employment status. The MSW Field Instructor must meet the qualifications required of all Field Instructors.
3. The field instruction tasks/assignments must be different from the employment tasks AND must be in accordance with both the general educational criteria of the School of Social Work and those appropriate to the student's chosen educational goals.
4. Job conversions and job-related placements must be approved in writing by the agency and the Director of Field Education.
5. The request for job conversion or job-related placement must be discussed prior to the Placement Interview with the Director of Field Education and/or designated Field Coordinator to allow for time to investigate it as a viable option. Documentation to support request must besubmitted at the Placement Interview.

PLEASE NOTE: If the student is a county employee participating in the 20/20 program or approved for the Title IV-E program, there are specific requirements that need to be met to be consider for an employment placement and 2-year placement at a county agency. This is approved ahead of time and prior to internship beginning through a formal interview and acceptance process.

Any deviations at all to the above must be reviewed and approved by the Director of Field Education and/or designated Field Coordinator.

Job Conversion Application Form