Field Placement Process

An email notification from the Field Placement Coordinator will be sent to students to get set up in our online field placement system CalState S4(opens in new window). Students will use this system to begin to research field placement sites and learn about the different fields of practice, populations, and learning opportunities available.

BSW students will receive a Google link to sign up for a small group field placement meeting (6-8 students per group). 

MSW students will also receive a link to sign up for individual field placement meetings with the Field Director/Field Coordinator.

Students will complete the field application form in CalState S4. The field application is designed to assist the field team in guiding students to appropriate community agencies to interview with based on the student's volunteer/work experience, previous field placement, areas of interest, and special needs or requests. 

The field application must be completely filled out prior to your scheduled field placement meeting with the Field Education Director or Field Coordinator.

Students will attend their scheduled field placement meeting, making sure that they have submitted their field application and attached a draft of their resume prior to the meeting. 

At the field placement meeting we will review the placement process moving forward and go into detail about interviewing, professionalism, and next steps. Each student will meet one-on-one with the Field Director/Field Coordinator to review their field application and collaboratively determine 2 agencies to interview with. Students will also receive feedback on their resume with tips and suggestions for improvement. 

After attending the field placement meeting, students should immediately begin preparing for their field placement interviews(opens in new window). Preparation includes:

• Research(opens in new window) the agencies (website, description in S4, current intern)
• Make edits to your resume(opens in new window)
• Plan your interview attire(opens in new window)
• Come up with questions (PDF) to ask each agency at your interview
• Practice interviewing with a friend or family member or schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Chico State Career Center(opens in new window)

Once you have received contact information for the agencies you have been referred to for an interview, you should send an email or place a phone call asap, introducing yourself and requesting to schedule a field placement interview. 

Set a reminder in your phone or make a note in your planner when you have scheduled the interviews so that you don't forget!

Students will attend both field placement interviews, making sure to arrive at least 5 minutes early and be dressed appropriately for the interview, prepared with questions, copies of resume, and knowledge of the agency, the population they serve, and the services they offer. 

Students should make every effort to attend their field placement interviews on the scheduled day/time. If a personal or family emergency or illness arises student's should communicate with the agency contact as soon as possible to reschedule. 

Once a student has completed both of their interviews, they will fill out the Agency Preference List and email it to the Field Education Director/Field Coordinator. 

The Field Education Team will begin the matching process that will continue into the summer.

Please note that no placement is considered final until both the student and the agency have communicated their preferences to the field staff.

Students will receive confirmation of their placement by the first week of August so they can begin the onboarding process, which could include a background check, drug screening, agency paperwork, etc. Students should work with their agency to complete these requirements early enough that they will be cleared to begin field hours by the date listed on the field calendar(opens in new window).