Field Placement

two people having a deep conversation on a stoop

The Greater Miami Valley Joint MASW Program at Miami University has developed diverse and exciting field partnerships across Butler County, Cincinnati and the Dayton areas. Considered a “signature pedagogy” through CSWE, we recognize the importance of matching students with an agency and supervisor that can guide their development, build skills, and provide learning tasks aligned with the student’s personal future goals.   

Students work directly with the Field Education Director to secure their placement.  With close to 100 field sites available to support our program, students can specify the population and type of roles they wish to pursue as part of the field practicum courses.  Miami’s Field Education program engages in a guided matching process for practicum decisions. Students identify populations or specific agencies with whom they would like to intern.  The Director of Social Work Field Education directs and links the student to agencies for application. Students interview for their placement in order to establish the best selection for all parties.

Placements for both the foundational and advanced courses vary but could include working with hospitals, schools, Veterans Affairs departments, advocacy programs, substance abuse, the court and legal system, homeless supports, mental health agencies, child and older adult welfare agencies, and many more!

As a student in the MASW program I interned for Butler Behavioral Health Services in Hamilton Ohio. I regularly assessed and provided evidence based intervention plans with eight female clients. I also co-facilitated a personal growth group  and a Dialectical Behavior Therapy group. My supervision at BBHS was phenomenal with two supervisors and a full staff always willing to assist me.

Lori Shaffer
-MASW Graduate 2018

Operating on the values of Relationship-Based Care, the Dayton VA employs over 90 social workers to provide comprehensive services to veterans. There are  opportunities for growth that span a variety of areas including mental health, substance abuse, medical, and hospice. There is a little bit of everything in a welcoming and friendly environment to provide an excellent field experience

Jason Bailey
-MASW Graduate 2018

Student Highlight
MASW graduate student, Amy Daily, was integral in helping to evaluate the first volunteer-based monitoring program by a probate court in Ohio. "Involvement in this project has been a great experience to learn more about adult guardianship and volunteer monitoring programs," said Daily. "While assisting in the evaluation study, I learned how integral volunteers are for the operation and sustainability of programs like this. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to learn more about the Court Angel Program." Amy Daily completed this work as part of her Graduate Assistantship with FSW Assistant Professor Amy Roberts.

Field Placement Requirements

Students in the Advanced Standing program complete a single field placement that lasts two semesters (Fall and Spring), ultimately completing 500 total hours. This placement is intensive where students often work directly with clients or independently work on projects.

Students in the Traditional program complete 2 field placements for a total of 900 hours. The first is in the first spring semester for 300 hours. This placement typically focuses on administrative, organizational and policy social work practice while providing a student a foundational understanding of a client population and impacting systems. The 2nd placement lasts two semesters (Fall and Spring of the 2nd year), ultimately completing 600 total hours. This placement is more intensive where students often work directly with clients or independently work on projects.