Grading of the Graduate Field Practicum

The field experience for the social work graduate program is divided into two broad categories: Foundation Field and Specialized Field (either Clinical or Administration). Field goals are consistent with university and program goals and remain the same throughout the Ohio University MSW field curriculum. The objectives for each quarter of fieldwork are different as are the objectives for each of the two specializations. The goals and objectives of field can be found at the beginning of this section of the manual.

As stated earlier in this manual, each quarter of field is graded Credit/Fail. No student who sustains a single failing grade in the field practicum will be retained in the program. Students may also be placed on academic probation or be terminated from the program for academic misconduct or a violation of the NASW Code of Ethics in the field or in the classroom.

A separate grade will be assigned for each quarter in the field practicum as follows:

SW 591, Foundation Field (Winter, 16 hours per week)

4 credit hours, credit/fail grading

SW 592, Foundation Field (Spring, 20 hours per week)

4 credit hours, credit/fail grading

SW 691, Specialized Field (Fall, 20 hours per week)

4 credit hours, credit/fail grading

SW 692, Specialized Field (Winter, 20 hours per week)

4 credit hours, credit/fail grading

SW 693, Specialized Field (Spring, 20 hours per week)

4 credit hours, credit/fail grading

As previously stated in this section, the field practicum grade is assigned each quarter by the field liaison based on a written evaluation of the student from the field instructor. Also, information from field visits and other contacts with the field instructor and student may be considered in determining the grade.