Field Education
Explore the Field Education Program
Field education provides students with opportunities to work directly with professionals in the field that are committed to preparing future social workers and demonstrate their application of skills and the social work competencies. Students will gain practice experience as interns in a wide variety of social work and inter-professional settings and begin developing their professional networks. Social work provides broad career pathways and includes school and clinical social work, child welfare, gerontology, policy advocacy, community organizing and organizational administration, mental and behavioral health, international practice, and medical social work, among others.
THE UK DIFFERENCE
Forging an Impactful Path
Field Education connects students with placements that provide opportunities to learn and contribute as the demonstrate skills competency and lean into their professional interests.
Student-Driven Process
At UK, Students drive their field process and can select from an expansive agency list of that provide a variety of learning environments or suggest an agency that reflects their professional interests, including their employers.
Flexible Placement Plans
Students can explore organizational depth and breadth by opting to stay in one agency for both placements or intern in different agency settings, as well as consider employer-hosted placements when appropriate. Block placements and external field instructors are also strategies we use to ensure students have flexibility in their learning plan.
Strategic Advising & Career Prep
Strategic advising helps students navigate the field placement process and determine the best timing and approach for their career planning. Students also receive career counseling, mentoring, and post-graduation mentorship to ensure successful transition into social work practice. UK’s social work graduates have the highest clinical licensure pass rates in Kentucky.
Multiple Certificate Options
MSW students have the option to earn specialized certificates in Clinical Social Work, Child Welfare, Military Behavioral Health, and Substance Use Disorder with unique coordinated practicum opportunities.
Centers and Labs
CoSW is home to several unique research centers and labs, including the Training Resource Center, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Children and Families, Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, Self-Care Lab, Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab, and Military Behavior Health Lab. Practicum placements within these entities provide unique learning and research opportunities
Field Education
by the numbers
1K+
field placement Opportunities
#1
KY rank for licensing pass rates
97%
Students who receive some type of financial aid
WHAT'S NEW AT CoSW?
Calendar of Events
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1 event,
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Northern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Northern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
1 event,
Cumberland Region Citizen Review Panel
Cumberland Region Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Northeastern Citizen Review Panel
Northeastern Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
Certificate Info Session
Certificate Info Session
College of Social Work advisors host monthly certificate information sessions via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month. These sessions are designed for current MSW students who want to
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Jefferson Citizen Review Panel
Jefferson Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Salt River Trail Citizen Review Panel
Salt River Trail Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Two Rivers Citizen Review Panel
Two Rivers Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
0 events,
1 event,
Eastern Mountain Region Citizen Review Panel
Eastern Mountain Region Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
