School of Social Work

A third year placement is usually an introduction to social work practice and the social services sector for students.  These placements provide students with the opportunity to begin developing skills and knowledge in engagement and rapport building, assessment, intervention and termination. 

Many placements involve direct contact with service users while also providing students with exposure to the context of practice in the agency's sector.  It is also an opportunity for a student to begin to develop a sense of professional identity, using critical self-reflection in their practice.

Students are in placement from early September to early/mid April, two days per week (14 hours per week), normally on Tuesday and Thursday.

Students are required to complete a total of 364 hours.

Full-time BSW students with a minimum of three consecutive years of paid social work experience within the past eight years may be eligible to challenge their third year field placement. 

The challenge examination consists of a written examination and a demonstration of practice skills involving an interview with a simulated client or client group. 

Fourth year placement cannot be challenged.  Students with advanced standing status are not eligible for challenge credits. 

Consult the BSW Field Education Manual for more information, including policies, procedures and criteria for eligibility.

A fourth year placement builds upon the knowledge and skills that students developed in their third year placement.  These placements provide students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills, and work towards conceptualizing their future role as a practitioner. 

Placements may involve direct contact with service users, policy work or research, or a combination of these experiences.  Students identify knowledge and skill areas they want to enhance, in preparation for their social work practice upon graduation.

Students are in placement from early September to early/mid April, three days per week (21 hours per week), normally on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Students are required to complete a total of 546 hours.

A work study placement offers students working in a social service position in the social service sector the opportunity to do a placement at the organization where they are already employed. 

Given the Accreditation Standards of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and the school's aim to promote quality social work education, the work study placement will only be approved when it clearly meets the stated Accreditation Standards and enhances the previous practice experience of the student. 

Any proposed work study placement must clearly specify new and challenging learning opportunities within the context of the school's mission and the curriculum objectives of the field practicum. Given the learning/educational focus of the placement, students may not extend their assigned work activities for purposes of the work study placement.  

Students must complete the required hours as established by the curriculum in an area significantly different from their employment.

Consult the BSW Field Education Manual for more information, including policies, procedures and criteria for eligibility.

Spring/Summer block placements are designed for students employed full-time in a social service position in the social service sector, during the time of completion of the Social Work Practice Seminar (SWP 31AB or SWP 50A/B), and are taking a leave from their employment in order to complete the placement during the Spring/Summer months. 

This is a concentrated field placement for four or five days per week or between 28 and 35 placement hours per week from May to July/August.

Consult the BSW Field Education Manual for more information, including policies, procedures and criteria for eligibility.

International/out-of-province placements are designed for students who are interested and able to do their placement out of the country or province during the Spring/Summer months. 

This is a concentrated field placement for four or five days per week or between 28 and 35 placement hours per week from May to July/August.  

Consult the BSW Field Education Manual for more information, including policies and procedures.