Field Education

Master of Social Work Classroom

Social Work Field Education

Graduate Social Work (MSW) field education experiences (internships) are a critical component of Carroll’s online MSW program. They provide valuable hands-on opportunities to connect theories, concepts, and skills learned in the classroom with actual practice.

Your social work field education experience in our online program also provides you with individualized, experiential opportunities to: 

  • Serve populations or work in practice settings of interest to you
  • Learn from experienced and committed social work practitioners
  • Develop your knowledge and skills in a safe and supportive learning environment

Understanding the importance of field education in your graduate social work education experience, we work closely with students to identify placements that align closely with longer-term professional goals. If you aren’t sure where you might like to practice or which populations you’d like to serve, we can design a field education experience that helps you narrow your professional focus. 

Above all, our approach to field education is student-focused and collaborative, emphasizing a rigorous and high-quality learning experience to prepare you for a rewarding career in social work. 

MSW Field Education at Carroll College

Carroll College’s graduate social work degree takes an individualized and developmental approach to MSW field education. Once we’ve identified your professional goals, our director of field education will work closely with you to identify a practicum opportunity that will provide you with a high-quality, rigorous learning experience. 

Unlike other online social work degree programs that may require you to find and develop your own social work field placement, we take the lead on identifying and formalizing MSW field education sites wherever you are located. 

Once your social work field placement is finalized, you will be supported by an agency-based field instructor and a Master of Social Work program faculty field liaison. These individuals will help you develop a learning contract to further refine your social work knowledge and skills, allowing you to demonstrate essential competencies identified by the 
 Council on Social Work Education.

Throughout your social work field education experience, you can be assured that our director of field education and other  Carroll MSW Program faculty are committed to your learning. Practicum field instructors and program field liaisons will further support you to maximize your MSW field education experience.

Fellowship Opportunities at Carroll College

Montana currently has a critical need for clinical social workers. To help meet that demand, our social work degree program has partnered with several provider organizations in the state to develop intensive social work fellowship experiences. These opportunities represent a new level of coordination between social work degree programs and community-based health, behavioral health, and social service organizations.

Fellowship experiences often lead to a full-time career in social work with the supporting organization upon graduation. At Carroll College, you will also receive ongoing support in obtaining your clinical social license after graduation from the field experience organization and our social work degree program. Partner agencies may offer paid internship placements, tuition assistance, flexible schedules, housing, and more to support student fellows. 

In addition to our current fellowship opportunities, we continue to develop similar opportunities with other organizations. Contact us directly for additional information. 

Current Fellowship Opportunities

AWARE

AWAREAWARE is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers quality, community-based support for people with mental health and/or developmental disabilities and families with children ages 0 to 8. We serve all 56 counties in Montana. The support they provide helps the adults, children, and families we serve to become active and vital members of their community while focusing on personal growth. 

Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch

Yellowstong Boys and Girls RanchEach day, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch employees work with close to 650 youth throughout Montana who struggle with controlling emotions and behaviors. YBGR has impacted more than 10,000 youth and their families since 1957 through Residential Services in Billings, Community Based Services throughout Montana, and the Yellowstone Academy in Billings.

Youth Dynamics

Youth DynamicsYouth Dynamics offers children's mental and behavioral health services, including home and community-based services, youth case management, outpatient therapy, and residential treatment in Therapeutic Group Homes and Therapeutic Foster Care at more than 30 locations across Montana.

Apply to the Master of Social Work Program