Master's in Social Work Field Education

The field education office within the department of social work is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in class to the working field.  Students are placed in experiential learning settings, with qualified supervisors, to learn how to engage with clients.  In field education, students will develop an ability to critically assess for needs, and provide therapeutic interventions according to evidence-based recommendations. Both faculty and community supervisors help students by  building on in-class instruction, and guiding students to become more self-aware of their own clinical capabilities.

Field education is a progressive experience. In the foundation year internship, students will experience working with clients for 16 hours a week, while practicing skills such as case management, building trust, engagement and assessment.  In the specialization year, students will build on their first year skills learning more direct clinical skills. The specialization year internship will require that students spend 20 hours a week in their internship placements. In this year, students will practice research-based therapeutic interventions with clients, or groups,  under the supervision of clinical social workers. During this final year, you will become better acquainted with theories of social work that inform your future psychotherapeutic practices. 

Kean University offers a variety of internship placements such as:

• Substance Abuse Centers
• Juvenile and Adult Detention Centers
• Medical Inpatient and Outpatient Hospitals
• Psychiatric Inpatient and Outpatient Hospitals
• Homeless Shelters
• Domestic Violence Centers
• The Veteran Administration
• Counseling Practices
• Elementary and High Schools
• Care Management Organizations

Suzane Thomas, DSW, LSW
Field Education Director 
Office location: 218 B
Phone number:  (908) 737- 5917