A core component of the Master of Social Work educational experience at the Tulane University School of Social Work is our field education program. The field practicum is the “signature pedagogy” of social work, and this experience exposes students to real-world social work practice with diverse populations and a variety of social and environmental concerns.
For our on-campus MSW students, we work with a full range of community agencies in and around the Greater New Orleans area. For our learners enrolled in our online classes, the field education placement advisors work with and connect you with agencies in your area so that you can make a direct impact within your community. Either way, you will use knowledge gained in the classroom to develop your practice skills in a professional setting under the supervision of experienced social work practitioners.
More than 100 social service agencies, government entities, schools, hospitals, and businesses throughout the country participate in our field education program. Reflective of our unique clinical and community-based practice curriculum, your field placement provides the opportunity to develop your clinical-community skills through a blending of micro, mezzo, and macro practice.
Upon the completion of your MSW degree, you will have accumulated a minimum of 900 hours of social work practicum training in field education. With guidance and mentoring from your Faculty Field Liaison (Seminar Instructor) and your agency-based Field Instructor (Supervisor), you will not only engage in active social change, you will also regularly explore your commitment to working with diverse communities - all towards embodying professional social work values of ethical practice.
Information about the orientation to field process will be sent to all On-campus MSW Students. Online MSW Students will receive an email from their Placement Advisor. Prior to final placement, any questions about the process may be emailed to TSSW_field@tulane.edu. Once assigned, Faculty Field Liaisons are the first point of contact. The Field Education Department looks forward to assisting and answering any questions.
Our contact information includes:
General Inquiries and IPT issues
TSSW_field@tulane.edu
Kathy Oquelí McGraw, PhD, MPH, LCSW-BACS, LAC, LPP
Director of Field Education and Clinical Assistant Professor
kmcgraw1@tulane.edu
Lanz Christian Bañes, LCSW
Program Manager & Senior Field Education Coordinator
lbanes@tulane.edu
Joshua Fegley, LCSW-BACS
Program Manager & Senior Field Education Coordinator
jfegley1@tulane.edu
Rhonda Hebert
Administrative Program Coordinator for Field Education
rhebert5@tulane.edu