MSW Student Guide

University of Michigan School of Social Work · 2025–2026

Volume 3: Field Curriculum

3.09 - Field Placement Policies and Procedures

§3.09.04 · Policy on Unsuccessful Field Placement Interviews and Failure to Meet the Technical Standards Related to Field

activeschool policy

Academic Year 2025-2026 · Maintained by Office of Student Services

Policy details & cross-references
Section3.09.04
Volume3: Field Curriculum
Effective2025-09-01
Last reviewed2025-09-01
Review cycleannual
Responsible bodyOffice of Student Services
Contactssw-adedpgm@umich.edu
SourceOfficial guide
Tags
conductfield-educationcurriculumpathwaysafetypolicypolicy-on-unsuccessful-field-placement-interviews-and-failure-to-meet-the-technical-standards-related-to-field
Related policies
Summary: Students must successfully complete an interview before receiving a placement offer and proceeding with the field education courses (SW 515 and SW 691). Once an interview offer is made, the student is expected to reach out to the agency within 1-2 business days to schedule their interview.

Students must successfully complete an interview before receiving a placement offer and proceeding with the field education courses (SW 515 and SW 691). Once an interview offer is made, the student is expected to reach out to the agency within 1-2 business days to schedule their interview. If the student is not accepted, they should reach out to the OFE field faculty or OFE placer, as they may have feedback from the field site that may be helpful to the student going forward. Occasionally, a student is not accepted for a field placement because the field site identifies the student has displayed inappropriate professional behavior and/or has failed to demonstrate the ability to meet the U-M SSW Technical Standards. Inappropriate professional behavior can include, but is not limited to, arriving late for an interview, not calling/arriving for the interview, or unprofessional/disrespectful language during the interview.

Students who decline two viable options that align with their primary pathway and/or are unsuccessful in the interview process due to technical standards violations risk not being placed on time and will be required to attend a Field Success meeting. Students not placed within the intended terms may need to postpone their field education to the following term, potentially extending their MSW program and graduation date.

The following situations will require a Field Success meeting: • Students who decline two viable placement options that align with their pathway. This can be pre or post interviews. • Students who are unsuccessful after two interviews

Field Success meetings include the student, field faculty, placement coordinator as applicable, and the field director (or designee).

Students may at any point be referred for a Student Success meeting (See volume 1, section 14.05 Policy Governing Student Success Meetings). A student may at any point be referred to the associate dean for educational programs who determines whether a referral to the Academic Concerns Committee is warranted. Outcomes of meetings at this level will be decided on a case-by-case basis and can result in a number of outcomes up to and including dismissal from the program.