International and Out-of-Region Placements

Field placements in other countries or regions are developed by the field education staff in partnership with the student and an interested organization. The policies outlined here apply to international, out-of-region and regional immersion (“block”) placements (advanced year only).

The SSW curriculum allows for “block” or immersion placements (in which 480 hours are completed in one semester) in the final Spring or Summer of a student’s program. Students wishing to request approval to pursue an immersion placement in their Advanced Year must do so prior to the deadline for submitting their Advanced Year field application. This timeframe is reflective of the significant time required in securing legal affiliation and ensuring that SSW program requirements will be met.

A placement must be included in one of the following categories to be considered for an immersion (block) placement:

1. Out of region/out-of-state.
2. International.
3. Regional agencies: ONLY those agencies which have approved block placement options. The Field Education Office does not have a pool of immersion sites currently available but will work one-on-one with students to explore the feasibility of particular block placements in the region.

The director of field education must assess and approve all block placement options. A student must be in good standing and not involved in a process of review.

Due to the greater demands placed on students in an immersion placement, recommendation forms are required, and excellence should be exemplified in all areas of the student’s program. The additional standard of proof is required because the student will be further beyond the School’s resources in case the need for additional support arises.