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, Rural Population Wellbeing, 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

CoSW

spotlights

Our students and alumni are the embodiment of our mission. Through dedication and steadfast service, they work to improve the human condition. These are their stories.