Field experience is the heart of social work education. As a field instructor, you will provide on-site supervision, advisement, and instruction to bachelor’s and master’s degree students in the field practicum and promote their development of social work skills, abilities, values and ethics. 

Experienced social workers who have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Social Work degree are welcome to apply. You must have two years of paid experience on a full-time basis in an organization that provides services, protects or advocates for vulnerable populations. 

 To serve as a field instructor for the bachelor’s or master’s degree program, you must commit to do the following: 

• Complete a mandatory orientation for first-time field instructors 
• Offer adequate time within the normal duty periods to instruct social work students 
• Attend scheduled meetings for the field education program 

In addition, you must meet field instructor criteria set by the Council on Social Work Education. To serve as a field instruction for the MSW program, you must also be a graduate of an accredited school of social work, hold a Master of Social Work degree and have two years of post-graduate professional experience. 

 

Instructor Benefits

We value participation from University of South Carolina alumni as well as alumni of other accredited schools of social work. In appreciation for your service, the College of Social Work offers benefits to field instructors, such as continuing education opportunities, library privileges and reduced tuition for qualifying non-degree programs.