Students
Questions? You're not alone! Check out the FAQ below.
Philosophy of Field EXPERIENCE
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) considers field experience as the signature pedagogy of social work education. Meaning that field placement is the main method for teaching students to think and act like social workers. In your field experiences, we aim to challenge you to leave your comfort zone and try new things. After all, learning new skills is never easy but it is fulfilling!
THREE LEVELS OF FIELD EXPERIENCE
GOAL: Build advanced micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills. Implement programming independently.
- ATTEND weekly seminar
- ENGAGE in task and clinical supervision
- LEAD groups with curriculum
- PROVIDE 1:1 counseling
- CREATE policy recommendations
- BUILD advanced skills in SW practice
GOAL: Build foundational skills for social work practice.
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ATTEND weekly seminar
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ENGAGE in task and clinical supervision
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CREATE resource lists and referrals
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DEVELOP and co-facilitate groups
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COLLECT data
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CONDUCT case management with 1:1 caseload
GOAL: Understand the field of social work, develop professionalism, engage with others, and build trust.
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ATTEND weekly seminar
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ENGAGE in task and clinical supervision
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SHADOW supervisor
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ATTEND orientation and trainings
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ASSIST with initiatives
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DEVELOP outreach materials
Frequently Asked Questions
Supervisors
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Partners
We are proud to partner with over forty local nonprofits, government agencies, and schools to place our students! We aim to find a great match between student learning interests and partner needs.
What do our students say?
“My field placement experience has been extremely transformative. At Teresian House Nursing Home and Rehabilitation, I get flexibility, one on one client interaction, excellent supervision, and countless opportunities. All thanks to the Siena Social Work Department. I felt really nervous entering the senior year field experience. The Social Work Department helped me to ease into my placement, and was always there when I needed support.” - BSW Grad ‘26
“As someone who was very unsure about where I wanted to go in my future in social work, my field placement really helped me focus on what I wanted to do after my time at Siena. At Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP), I had an amazing supervisor, client interaction, and I was able to explore all sides of social work as well as what an agency setting looks like.” - BSW Grad ‘26