The Social Work Field Placement

Designed for BSW and MSW students, this authoritative guide helps you integrate classroom learning with field experiences in a purposeful, reflective, and unified way. Chapters map activities to the nine CSWE professional social work competencies and build skills through field reflections, critical-thinking questions, case summaries with discussion prompts, learning activities, and QR-linked electronic resources. Instructor materials are available.

CourseConnect is an interactive learning platform that helps you learn faster, study smarter, retain more, and feel confident on exam day. It structures field learning around CSWE competencies with applied scenarios, checklists, reflections, and quick checks—so you can track progress and meet placement milestones. Included with your print purchase.

What’s New in the Second Edition

Fully updated to the 2022 CSWE EPAS
New chapter on understanding agency organizational culture and its community context
Added guidance on creating a performance improvement plan in supervision
Current research on policy, practice, and updates on social welfare policies, including NASW priorities

Why Students Love This Text

Clear, competency-based structure that links field tasks to CSWE outcomes
Learning activities for each competency to organize your placement work
Downloadable student resources, including a competency reflection log for data-driven evaluations
QR-coded electronic resources for each chapter
Attention to interprofessional writing, collaboration, and self-care

Get it with CourseConnect: the Smarter Way to Succeed.

Included with your print purchase. CourseConnect is an interactive learning platform that helps you learn faster, study smarter, retain more, and feel confident on exam day. Go beyond the book with tools that help you learn, apply, and assess your progress anywhere, anytime.

Bite-sized interactive lessons for focused, efficient study
Applied scenarios that connect concepts to practice
Quizzes and flashcards with instant feedback
Personal dashboard to track strengths, gaps, and progress
Study tools, including notes, bookmarks, and search
Course Coach—Expert-powered AI tutor ready to provide trusted explanations and study support

Print books include a CourseConnect access code inside the front cover.Continuous Online Access is for the life of the product edition, plus one year.

Contents

List of Contributors

Preface

PART I. MAXIMIZING YOUR FIELD PLACEMENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Chapter 1. The Social Work Field Placement

Chapter 2. Understanding Your Agency and Community

Chapter 3. Maximizing Your Learning Opportunities and Documenting Your Competencies

Chapter 4. Using Supervision to Guide Professional Development and Behavior

Chapter 5. Using Reflection and Self-Regulation to Promote Well-Being Through Self-Care

PART II. DEVELOPING YOUR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

Chapter 6. Demonstrating Ethical and Professional Behavior

Chapter 7. Engaging Diversity and Difference in Practice

Chapter 8. Advancing Human Rights and Social Justice in Your Field Placement

Chapter 9. Research Informed Practice in Your Field Placement

Chapter 10. Engaging in Policy Practice in Your Field Placement

Chapter 11. Engaging with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Chapter 12. Micro Assessment: Individuals, Families, and Groups

Chapter 13. Assessing Organizations and Communities

Chapter 14. Intervening with Individuals, Families, and Groups

Chapter 15. Intervening with Organizations and Communities

Chapter 16. Applied Research and Practice Evaluation in Your Field Placement

Index

Authors

John Poulin, PhD, MSW, is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor at Widener University’s Center for Social Work Education in Chester, Pennsylvania, currently teaching the foundation field seminar in Widener’s online MSW program. In 2016, he retired from Widener University, where he taught generalist practice, research, and policy courses for 32 years.

Selina Matis, PhD, LCSW, LICSW,  is a licensed clinical social worker and Assistant Professor at Capella University. She received her doctoral degree in social work from Widener University. Additionally, she has a MSW (Master of Social Work), BS in Elementary Education and a MS in School Psychology all from PennWest University (formerly California University of Pennsylvania). Clinically, she has worked primarily in the mental health arena supporting children and their families in a variety of settings. She has specialized in treating trauma across the lifespan. She currently runs a private practice providing counseling, consultation, and supervision services.

Heather Witt, PhD, LMSW, MEd, is a licensed social worker, Associate Professor of Social Work, and BSW Coordinator at Boise State University. She received her PhD and MSW from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. As a clinical social worker, she worked with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults providing individual, group, family, and relationship therapy.

Instructors

Included Instructor Resources:

LMS Common Cartridge - All Instructor Resources
Instructor's Manual
Instructor Chapter PowerPoints

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