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Field Education

What is Field Education

Field education is the signature pedagogy of social work education, as designated by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). At Lincoln University, field education is where theory meets practice — where the knowledge, values, and skills developed in the classroom are applied in real social work settings under the supervision of qualified professionals.

BSSW students complete all required coursework before entering field placement. In the spring semester of their senior year, students complete 425 hours of supervised field placement in an approved agency. This block model allows students to dedicate their full attention to the field experience.

Field placements are located throughout Jefferson City and surrounding areas, and the program maintains partnerships with a variety of agencies to provide students with meaningful learning opportunities across all areas of social work practice.

 

Director of Field Education

Field education at Lincoln University is led by Andrea Reynolds, LCSW (she/her), who has served as Director of Field Education since 2019. Andrea Reynolds holds both a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri. She brings extensive direct practice experience across healthcare, child welfare, adoption, and behavioral health settings.

As Director of Field Education, Professor Reynolds partners with students individually to identify placement opportunities, coordinates agency partnerships throughout Jefferson City and surrounding areas, and oversees the full field education process from application through completion. She is your primary contact for all field education questions.

 

For Students

Field placement is the culminating experience of the BSSW program. Admission to field placement is a separate process from admission to the Social Work Program. Only students who have been admitted to the BSSW program may apply for field placement.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for field placement, students must:

  • Be admitted to the Social Work Program
  • Have completed all required coursework with a grade of C or higher
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher
  • Be in good academic and professional standing
  • Be in good standing with the university regarding the Student Code of Conduct
  • Be enrolled in SW 490: Field Practicum Orientation during the fall semester prior to placement

Timeline

The field placement process begins in the fall semester of your senior year. SW 490: Field Practicum Orientation prepares you for field placement and includes the field application process. The field application is due by Friday of the fifth week of the fall semester. Students will be notified of their acceptance or denial within two weeks of the submission deadline. Placement must be secured by Friday of the eleventh week of the fall semester so that you are ready to begin your 425-hour placement in the spring.

What to Expect

During your field placement you will complete 425 hours at an approved agency under the supervision of a qualified field instructor. You will meet with your field instructor for a minimum of one hour of supervision each week. Professor Reynolds will make site visits throughout the semester to monitor your progress and support your learning.

Field Application

The field application is provided to students enrolled in SW 490. A completed application includes:

  • Field application form
  • Current resume
  • Current transcript
  • Photocopy of driver's license
  • Signed acknowledgement of risks form
  • Signed field agreement form

Some field placement agencies may require additional documentation. Students will be informed of any additional requirements during the placement process.

For questions about field placement, contact Andrea Reynolds, LCSW (she/her), Director of Field Education, at ReynoldsA@lincolnu.edu. For detailed policies and procedures, download the BSW Field Education Manual.

 

For Agencies & Field Instructors

The Lincoln University Social Work Program partners with agencies throughout Jefferson City and surrounding areas to provide students with meaningful field education experiences. We welcome agencies that are committed to student learning, professional supervision, and the values of the social work profession.

Why Partner with Lincoln University

Field placement agencies play a critical role in preparing the next generation of social workers. By hosting a Lincoln University BSSW student, your agency contributes directly to the development of a skilled, ethical, and competent practitioner. Professor Reynolds works closely with agencies and field instructors to ensure the experience is valuable for both the student and the agency.

Agency Criteria

To become an approved field placement site, agencies must:

  • Have a mission compatible with the values, ethics, and knowledge base of the social work profession
  • Provide learning opportunities at all five system levels — individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Identify a qualified field instructor or field task supervisor
  • Provide one hour of weekly supervision for the student
  • Agree to the Lincoln University Social Work Program affiliation agreement
  • Attend field instructor training provided by the program

Field Instructor Qualifications

Field instructors must hold a BSW or MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, have a minimum of two years of post-degree experience, and be free of any professional sanctions. A commitment to generalist social work practice and social justice is essential.

Become a Field Placement Site

Agencies interested in partnering with the Lincoln University Social Work Program are encouraged to contact Andrea Reynolds, LCSW (she/her) at ReynoldsA@lincolnu.edu or (573) 681-5219. The field agency application and affiliation agreement are available upon request. 

Field education is demanding. It is also where everything comes together. You will graduate a professional social worker, prepared for the field and eligible to sit for licensure in states that license BSW-level practitioners.

 

Contact

For all field education questions, contact:

Andrea Reynolds, LCSW (she/her)
Director of Field Education · Associate Professor of Social Work
12 Frank Hall · 820 Chestnut Street · Jefferson City, MO 65101
ReynoldsA@lincolnu.edu · (573) 681-5219