Field instruction is an educationally directed program that provides the student with learning opportunities to develop skills for generalist and specialized social work practice.
All students are required to fill out a field application prior to any field placement. Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degree seeking students engage in meaningful social work experiences within the social work practice community. Students get real world experience in working in a professional environment with real constituents.
BSW education and field experience is based on “generalist” social work practice. BSW students are expected to achieve competency in generalist practice behaviors that are provided by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). BSW students complete a “block style” field placement in their final semester before graduation. They are required to complete 450 field hours in an approved field agency. This means that students are expected to work approximately 30 - 35 hours per week in an agency.
BSW Field applications are accepted for fall and spring placements only.
Winthrop’s MSW program has been accredited since its inception in 2007 and we are currently using CSWE’s 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Our program’s specialization is Empowerment Practice. There are a variety of field placement curriculum models/structures for MSW students enrolled at Winthrop University, depending on the student’s program option (i.e. campus-based, full-time, part-time, or online)
The Winthrop Department of Social Work follows all federal guidelines for internship placement as outlined by the Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act.
If you are a working student and are interested in using your place of employment as your Field Site, please contact the Field Office for more information about the specific requirements for employment-based field placements.
BSW students are not required to use a Field Management Software (LiveText or Tevera) at this time.
MSW students student enrolled prior to Spring 2021 utilize LIVETEXT by WatermarkTM while enrolled in Field. For support and login instructions please see below.
The Winthrop University MSW program uses an online electronic field software system called Tevera. Current students (admitted after Spring 2021), are required to purchase and use Tevera. When it comes time for your field application process to begin, you will receive an e-mail from Tevera asking you to register as a user. Purchase is required for students (current cost is $195 and is subject to change). Purchase is not required for field instructors/community partners but you will be sent the same registration/account set-up link.
For more information on Tevera, please contact the field office at scwkfield@winthrop.edu and we will answer your questions.
Tevera will allow you to:
Complete your MSW field application and preliminary paperwork required to begin the placement process
Confirm your Field Placement and Field Instructor
Track field hours toward graduation
Run Attendance reports for your field instructors
Automate the process for submitting course field assignments, field evaluations, and other program assessments/forms during your field education experience
Field Office
803/323-3387
803/323-3386 (fax)
scwkfield@winthrop.edu
Ja'Shaun Blanding, M.S.W
Field Director
803/323-3302
blandingj@winthrop.edu
