BSW Field Education
The BSW Internship Experience
Your internship allows you to apply and grow the knowledge and skills from your classroom learning in an immersive hands on practice experience in a community agency.
As a generalist social work student you will get experience working with individuals, groups, families, communities, and organizations. Our partnering internship sites serve diverse populations – offering you a wide range of educational experiences during the internship. The BSW Field Education Team works individually with each student to help find an internship that aligns with your learning interests and life needs.
Students will start their internship journey in Professional Practice I (SOCW 461). While in this class your internship preparation, planning, and placement occurs. The School of Social Work utilizes a block placement model to provide an intensive immersion learning experience. All classes (gen eds, major & minor) must be completed prior to your internship (SOCW 470- Professional Practice II). This class is a combination of a field seminar class and 27-29 hours of internship per week. Students are not allowed to take classes during or after their internship.
To learn more about Internship, including the placement process, exploring placements outside of Champaign-Urbana and employment-based internships, check out the Internship Guide (linked below), or reach out to talk with one of our Field Education faculty! It’s never too early to begin discussing your interests and passions in social work!