David Sullivan
Field Education Coordinator
Fort Garry Campus
413 Tier Building
P: 204-474-8300
Inner City Campus
William Norrie Centre
P: 204-474-6421
david.sullivan@umanitoba.ca
The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
Field Education provides students with hands-on social work practice experience through field placements. These placements give students the opportunity to apply theories and concepts learned in the classroom as well as discover various career options available to social workers.
Fort Garry & Inner City site
Distance Delivery site
Northern site
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition
The BSW program will be implementing a new curriculum starting Fall 2023. In this new curriculum, four practice-focused electives will replace field-focus SWRK 4200 and SWRK 4300, giving students greater flexibility to choose courses in line with their areas of interest, academic or career goals. There will still be two Field Instruction courses but with an alteration to the credit hour value. The new Field Instruction courses I and 2 (6 credit hours each) will each have an Integrative Practice Seminar (1.5 credit hours each) as co-requisites. These new field courses will be available starting in the Fall of 2024 for students admitted as of Fall 2023.
The option of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is still available for incoming students who have fulfilled field requirements in prior programs. This is considered a new course, SWRK 3250 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), with new credit hours (7.5 credit hours) as the corresponding courses for which students are seeking a recognition of credit, Field Instruction 1 and Integrative Seminar for Field Instruction 1, have a different number of credit hours than in the past.
Students will still complete two field placements including two new Integrative Practice Seminar courses. An approximate breakdown of the hours is outlined below for those interested in taking their field through accelerated/concentrated versus through the general stream.
Students must successfully complete the following pre-requisite course requirements and be in the appropriate year of their degree plan to be eligible to register for Field Instruction:
SWRK 1310 - Introduction to Social Welfare Policy
SWRK 2090 - Human Behaviour in Social Work
SWRK 2080 - Interpersonal Communication Skills
SWRK 3140 - Introduction to Social Work Practice
Please note: Students wishing to divert from their degree plan should consult with their Academic Advisor and/or the Coordinator of Student Services and Admissions/Advising Office before February 1, of the Academic year they wish to pursue Field Instruction.
All BSW students are required to complete two field placement requirements (420 hours each):
SWRK 3150 - Field Instruction 1
Co-requisite course: SWRK 4200 - Field Focus of Social Work Practice (12 credit hours)
SWRK 4120 - Field Instruction 2
Co-requisite course: SWRK 4300 - Field Focus of Social Work Practice (12 credit hours)
PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition - SWRK 3152) may be applied for in lieu of a first field practicum (SWRK 3150) if the application criteria are met.
Concurrent with each field practicum, students are required to take a 6-credit hour Field Focus course (SWRK 4200, SWRK 4300). Course subjects offered are Mental Health and Child & Family Services. The course subject does not need to match the field practicum.
Accelerated Term
Regular Term
Summer Term
Along with completing field focus courses, students will be placed at an agency under the guidance of a field instructor.
Prior to applying for field placement, students are expected to participate in the “Everything you wanted to know about field” workshop and “The Resumé and Interview Preparation” workshop prior to Field Information Day.
Application forms are due on or before February 1st and are to be submitted by email, along with a copy of your resume, to the Field Program Assistant. Upon receipt, you will receive a password to the Intern Placement Tracking (IPT) program. In IPT, you will be able to identify up to 8 field agency preferences, due on or before March 1st.
Fall/Winter Field Application Form
Summer Field Application Form
A list of current agencies that have partnered with the field program are included in IPT.
Once in the program, all students are required to complete reflective journaling, intended to foster and strengthen their understanding and development of critical thinking skills. It is recommended that journaling be used, along with the learning outcome tasks, as outlined in the Practice Guide.
For students interested in an international Field placement, please fill out the following forms and submit them to the Field Program Assistant:
Fort Garry & Inner City Field team:
David Sullivan
Field Education Coordinator
Fort Garry Campus
413 Tier Building
P: 204-474-8300
Inner City Campus
William Norrie Centre
P: 204-474-6421
david.sullivan@umanitoba.ca
Patti Kafka
Field Program Assistant
Fort Garry Campus
413 Tier Building
P: 204-474-6171
Inner City Campus
William Norrie Centre
P: 204-474-6421
patti.kafka@umanitoba.ca
Vicki Verge
Faculty-Field Liaison
Fort Garry Campus
413 Tier Building
P: 204-474-8845
Inner City Campus
William Norrie Centre
P: 204-474-6421
vicki.verge@umanitoba.ca
Distance delivery students are expected to locate their own field practicums. Students may choose a practicum in any community agency/institution which offers social work services. Students, when eligible, can be granted permission to complete a practicum at their place of employment.
A field instructor possessing a BSW, MSW, or RSW designation must be available to directly supervise the practicum.
All students registered in Distance Delivery Field Instruction courses (SWRK 3150 and SWRK 4120) are required to complete several Field Instruction Modules and participate in a one-hour web conference prior to entering field placement. Completion of the Field Instruction Modules and attendance at Field Instruction Web Conference is mandatory.
Application deadlines:
Summer 2023 - Field - December 1
Fall/Winter 2023/24 - Field - February 1
Students requiring information may contact:
Joan Churley
joan.churley@umanitoba.ca
Provincial Associations & Colleges:
CASWE
British Columbia Association of Social Workers
Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers
Manitoba College of Social Workers
New Brunswick Association of Social Workers
Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers
Ontario College of Social Workers
Prince Edward Island Association of Social Workers
The Association of Social Workers of Northern Canada (ASWNC)
Students in the BSW program at the Northern site work closely with the Field Coordinator in preparing for and securing an appropriate field placement.
Please note a student placement in a field setting is not guaranteed based on the completion of pre-requisite courses.
3rd Year students complete SWRK 3150 - Field Instruction 1:
Students are required to complete 460 hours including 420 hours in field placement (3 days per week September – April) and 40 hours of integrated seminar. Students approved as eligible for field require a minimum Degree Grade Point Average (D.G.P.A.) of 2.5.
4th Year students complete SWRK 4120 - Field Instruction 2:
Students are required to complete 460 hours including 420 hours in field placement (4 days per week January – April) and 40 hours of integrated seminar. Students approved as eligible for field require a minimum Degree Grade Point Average (D.G.P.A.) of 2.5.
Students requiring additional information may contact:
Katie Thompson
Northern Field Education Coordinator
204-677-1456
katie.thompson@umanitoba.ca
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process of recognizing the prior learning of skills and knowledge in social work practice. This can be through formal and informal study in a variety of settings as well as through a diversity of experiences. PLAR provides a mechanism for identifying, documenting and evaluating learning, thereby acknowledging and giving credit to students for demonstrated learning.
PLAR is an option available to any BSW student, regardless of the program delivery method. A BSW student who has two or more years of Social Work employment experience in the past 5 years may choose to apply for eligibility to register for SWRK 3152 - PLAR, in lieu of their first field placement requirement.
Application deadlines:
Summer 2023 - PLAR - December 1
Fall/Winter 2023/24 - PLAR - February 1
Step 1: Distance Delivery Students* access the Distance Delivery Student Portal in UM Learn.
Step 2: Fill out the Field/PLAR Application Form and Submit. Please only submit this form once.
Step 3: Under Content, you will have access to the PLAR Application Booklet and Forms.
*BSW Students from Fort Garry, Inner City, and Northern sites interested in applying for PLAR please email bswplar@umanitoba.ca to request access to the portal. Once enrolled follow the instructions outlined above.
The deadline to submit your PLAR application is annually on February 1st. Your application needs to be submitted in full, to be considered by the PLAR Applications Committee.
Yes, on your PLAR Application you can choose:
No. Field and PLAR are both the equivalent of 12 credit hours plus the Field Focus Course worth 6 credit hours, totalling 18 credit hours of tuition.
No. PLAR is a challenge of first field. You are applying to participate in the PLAR course where by you are completing assignments throughout the academic term (Summer or Fall/Winter), to demonstrate your knowledge and prior learning.
You are required to submit the application in full, along with all required letters, resume, self-evaluation, and three references (2 of whom must be social workers and 1 must have supervised you in the last 5 years).
Pre-requisites:
You are required to complete and pass the following courses prior to registering for PLAR:
SWRK 1310
SWRK 2080
SWRK 2090
SWRK 3140
Co-requisites:
You are required to register and complete:
SWRK 3152 PLAR - 18 credit hours
SWRK 4200 Field Focus - 6 credit hours
Students are required to have a 65% or greater to PASS PLAR. PLAR is a PASS/FAIL course and is not calculate in your GPA.
There is no formal instructor teaching the PLAR course. PLAR is a process of independent learning, and all students will be assigned a PLAR Assessor. The role of the PLAR Assessor is to assess the written work/assignments submitted by the student, and submit a final grade of PASS or FAIL. The PLAR Assessor will not teach or mentor students during the completion of course work.
PLAR and FIELD are graded the same in that they are a PASS or FAIL. The course outcome is not calculated in your GPA.
Yes. You may Voluntary Withdrawl (VW) from PLAR however; you will also be required to VW from your 4200 Field Focus Course. This decision should be considered carefully. We recommended that you consult with your Academic Advisor and your site Field Coordinator.
PLAR is a part of the University of Manitoba Accredited BSW Program. However, not all regulatory bodies will recognize the completion of PLAR in lieu of first field as credited field hours for the application requirement or expectation of new graduates.
Students MUST check with their provincial/territorial regulatory body (College or Association) to ensure they will be eligible for registration if they choose to complete PLAR in lieu of first field. Many employers in locations across Canada require Social Workers to hold RSW status and this is your student responsibility to be sure you have achieved the required academic standing for registration.
Yes, you may seek the option to defer PLAR however, you will only be able to defer for 1 year. If you do proceed with PLAR after your one year deferral you will need to re-apply.