Full-time Program Placements (Kitchener)

After acceptance to the Faculty of Social Work, students begin to participate fully in the placement planning process. All incoming students agree to the MSW Field Placement Agreement prior to acceptance to the program.

Some considerations:

• Students complete placement within a 150km range of Kitchener, flexibility regarding the geographical location of placement is an expectation of the program
• Students may be required to have a car for certain placements
• Students cannot arrange their own placements

Placements are competitive and a successful interview with the agency to determine suitability is a prerequisite for participation in the placement. Following the interview, the agency determines if they can offer the student a placement opportunity.

When matching the student with a placement opportunity, the Field Education Office considers student interest individually and collectively, the student’s experience, instructor’s requirements, agency requirements and a student’s accommodation needs (through Accessible Learning). The field coordinator is ultimately responsible for the placement decision. For most placements, the coordinator assigns placement matches based on information provided by students and agencies. Students cannot arrange their own placement; however, they are invited to propose placements within a specific timeframe.

Placement Timelines

Field courses are structured within specific terms, with start and end dates that vary from the term start and end dates. This structure considers the student’s program as a whole, and ensures that students complete required courses within the appropriate course sequence and can graduate in a timely manner. Field courses and MSW courses are offered concurrently. 

Regular Track Program

Students in the Regular Track Program complete two field placement courses: Foundational Field Education (SK541) and Advanced Field Education (SK649). 

Thesis students are exempt from 100 hours towards the advanced placement. Exemptions may not be split between placements and cannot apply to the foundational placement.

• Foundational Placement (SK541)
  • Minimum 450 practice hours required
  • Placement timelines:
    • January to March, three days/week (21 hours/week), Monday – Wednesday
    • April to May, four days/week (28 hours/week), Monday – Thursday
• Advanced Placement (SK649)
  • Minimum 500 practice hours required
  • Placement timelines:
    • September to March/April, three days/week (21 hours/week), Monday – Wednesday
    • Optional early start: May to August, five days/week

Advanced Standing Program

Students in the Advanced Standing Program complete one field course: Advanced Field Education (SK649). Thesis students in the advanced standing program are exempt from the advanced placement. 

• Advanced Placement (SK649)
  • Minimum 500 practice hours required
  • Placement timelines:
    • September to March/April, three days/week (21 hours/week), Monday – Wednesday