Master’s of Social WorkField Education

MSW Student International Field Practicum FAQ

Any current or prospective students interested in completing a field practicum abroad while enrolled in Master of Social Work Program should be aware of the processes and potential challenges that occur when seeking a practicum site abroad. Before matriculating to the MSW program, please reach out to stewart.1372@osu.edu to schedule a meeting with a member of the field practicum team to discuss your specific plans. We will work with you to determine if an international placement is possible. Please keep the following issues in mind when considering a field practicum abroad.

• Visa requirements for volunteering/working abroad
• Language proficiency
• Associated travel & living costs
• Availability of social work supervision *virtual supervision can be provided on a case-by-case basis
• Potential safety concerns based on the country or region where placement is located
• Transportation needs
• Internet/Wi-Fi availability and reliability
• Time Zone
• Ability of agency to provide learning experiences that meet the Council on Social Work Education Educational Practice Accreditation Standards
• Placement timelines vary. Students field placement timeline may be delayed, ultimately impacting graduation timelines.
• State Authorization Guidelines

Please be aware that any international field practicum agency is vetted by both the Office of Field Education and the Office of International Affairs. Agencies must be able to enter into a legal affiliation agreement with the university. The Office of International Affairs utilizes State Department travel advisories and other resources when determining if a location can be approved for a field practicum site.

If you are considering completing the MSW program while living abroad, communication with The Office of Field Education is critical to securing a placement abroad. Please consider identifying alternative plans should a placement not be available in the country/region where you will be living. We strongly recommend researching potential agency sites before matriculating into the MSW program. You must also reach out to the Office of Field Education at stewart.1372@osu.edu before you begin or early in the application process to discuss your specific plan. We will work collaboratively with you on the placement process, but please note that students must be proactive in identifying potential agency partners.

International Student Field Practicum FAQ

International students with a J1 of F1 Visa status completing the Master of Social Work Program are required to adhere to the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) policies, while completing the field practicum portion of the program. CPT is required because the field practicum is considered work whether it is paid or unpaid. CPT provides the necessary work authorization to complete any paid or unpaid work. During the practicum international students are only permitted to complete 20 hours a week during Autumn and Spring semesters. Over Summer semester students may complete up to 40 hours a week. Students are also permitted to complete up to 40 hours over official university breaks.

Below is a recommended breakdown of how many semesters international students should register for field practicum, and the associated, credit hours and weekly hours in the actual field practicum. Please note students must be registered for the field practicum course to apply for CPT.

• Autumn MSW start students, please be aware registering for field practicum over the summer semester may incur additional costs, dependent on your summer course plan.
• Spring or Summer MSW start students, you may need to consider adding an additional semester to effectively complete the field practicum. This may incur additional costs depending on your course plan.

MSW I SWK 6189 Field Practicum

• 224 hours total required
• 2 credit hours
• Enroll one semester (spring)
• 16-20 Hours per week

MSW II SWK 7189 Field Practicum

• 672 hours total required
• 8 credit hours total (over two to three semesters)
• Enroll three semesters (summer, autumn, and spring) *recommend spreading over three semesters
  • Summer semester 1 credit hour of 7189
  • Autumn 4 credit hours
  • Spring 3 credit hours
• 224 hours per semester
• 16-20 hours per week

If you have questions or concerns about the above information, please reach out to stewart.1372@osu.edu. We hope this information will help you plan for your time in the MSW program.