The Social Work Field Placement: A Competency-Based Approach

Be Ready for the Field from Day One.

About This Text

Designed for BSW and MSW students, this authoritative guide helps you integrate classroom learning with field experiences in a purposeful, reflective, and unified way. Chapters map activities to the nine CSWE professional social work competencies and build skills through field reflections, critical-thinking questions, case summaries with discussion prompts, learning activities, and QR-linked electronic resources. Instructor materials are available.

CourseConnect is an interactive learning platform that helps you learn faster, study smarter, retain more, and feel confident on exam day. It structures field learning around CSWE competencies with applied scenarios, checklists, reflections, and quick checks―so you can track progress and meet placement milestones. Included with your print purchase.

What’s New in the Second Edition

• Fully updated to the 2022 CSWE EPAS
• New chapter on understanding agency organizational culture and its community context
• Added guidance on creating a performance improvement plan in supervision
• Current research on policy, practice, and updates on social welfare policies, including NASW priorities

Why Students Love This Text

• Clear, competency-based structure that links field tasks to CSWE outcomes
• Learning activities for each competency to organize your placement work
• Downloadable student resources, including a competency reflection log for data-driven evaluations
• QR-coded electronic resources for each chapter
• Attention to interprofessional writing, collaboration, and self-care

Get it with CourseConnect: the Smarter Way to Succeed.

Included with your print purchase. CourseConnect is an interactive learning platform that helps you learn faster, study smarter, retain more, and feel confident on exam day. Go beyond the book with tools that help you learn, apply, and assess your progress anywhere, anytime.

• Bite-sized interactive lessons for focused, efficient study
• Applied scenarios that connect concepts to practice
• Quizzes and flashcards with instant feedback
• Personal dashboard to track strengths, gaps, and progress
• Study tools, including notes, bookmarks, and search
• Course Coach―Expert-powered AI tutor ready to provide trusted explanations and study support

Print books include a CourseConnect access code inside the front cover.Continuous Online Access is for the life of the product edition, plus one year.

John Poulin, PhD, MSW, is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor at Widener University’s Center for Social Work Education in Chester, Pennsylvania, currently teaching the foundation field seminar in Widener’s online MSW program. In 2016, he retired from Widener University, where he taught generalist practice, research, and policy courses for 32 years.

Selina Matis, PhD, LCSW, LICSW,  is a licensed clinical social worker and Assistant Professor at Capella University. She received her doctoral degree in social work from Widener University. Additionally, she has a MSW (Master of Social Work), BS in Elementary Education and a MS in School Psychology all from PennWest University (formerly California University of Pennsylvania). Clinically, she has worked primarily in the mental health arena supporting children and their families in a variety of settings. She has specialized in treating trauma across the lifespan. She currently runs a private practice providing counseling, consultation, and supervision services.

Heather Witt, PhD, LMSW, MEd, is a licensed social worker, Associate Professor of Social Work, and BSW Coordinator at Boise State University. She received her PhD and MSW from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. As a clinical social worker, she worked with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults providing individual, group, family, and relationship therapy.