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.
Field Education connects students with placements that provide opportunities to learn and contribute as the demonstrate skills competency and lean into their professional interests.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 placement Opportunities
KY rank for licensing pass rates
Students who receive some type of financial aid
Please join us as we discuss the upcoming Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom. Please register by using the link
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
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
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
Relatives Raising Kin is a community of kinship caregivers who come together for support, friendship, and information. Our goal is to connect families with one another to find resources, get
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for
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
We understand how difficult it can be trying to parent your kinship children. Parenting a child that belongs to a family member or a friend is especially difficult for you
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
Raising your grandchildren and parenting again later in life can be especially challenging in today’s culture. Navigating this change in roles–moving from grandparents to being parents again–can be both confusing
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
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
Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below, under 'Website' The UK Difference Our MSW program is an Advanced Generalist program
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for
We understand how difficult it can be trying to parent your kinship children. Parenting a child that belongs to a family member or a friend is especially difficult for you
This group is an opportunity for kinship caregivers to come together to find support, community, and resources in the care of relative and fictive children. This group will focus on
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 (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
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
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
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person
Relatives Raising Kin is a community of kinship caregivers who come together for support, friendship, and information. Our goal is to connect families with one another to find resources, get
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for
We understand how difficult it can be trying to parent your kinship children. Parenting a child that belongs to a family member or a friend is especially difficult for you
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 (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
Raising your grandchildren and parenting again later in life can be especially challenging in today’s culture. Navigating this change in roles–moving from grandparents to being parents again–can be both confusing
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'.
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
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
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for
We understand how difficult it can be trying to parent your kinship children. Parenting a child that belongs to a family member or a friend is especially difficult for you
The Foster Parent Training Program is holding a 90-minute training to help foster parents understand how sensory processing and trauma intersect—and how this affects behaviors, meltdowns, and relationships. We’ll break
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 (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
Please join us as we discuss the upcoming Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom. Please register by using the link