MSW Field Work: Benefit From a One-of-a-Kind Experience
Learn by Doing With a Hands-On Approach
As part of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Sacred Heart University, our unique Field Experience model is designed for students to practice their social work skills in a hands-on work environment.
Field placements typically begin in the fall and run through the spring semester. While fulfilling your field experience requirement, you will also be taking courses that correspond with your field practicum.
Students most often complete their field work at community health clinics, hospitals, legislative offices, public health agencies, and senior centers. By being placed in a field work location, you will be asked to fully commit to and serve the interests of the placement organization and their clients to the best of your ability.
Prepare Yourself for a Successful Field Experience
Before starting your field experience, you must:
- Be in good program status
- Have a 3.0 average GPA
- Score a 3.0 on the Rubric for Professional Behavior
- Complete the Generalist Year practicum for Specialized Year placement
For further field placement requirements, request more information or call us at (877) 791-7181
Experienced Liaisons Help You Help Others
Our trained Field Experience Liaisons work directly with you starting one year before you even go into the field, with a level of support unmatched by other schools. Field liaisons are responsible for:
- Assisting with résumé preparation
- Practicing interview techniques
- Coaching and guiding you throughout the entire field work process
- Seeking out field locations
Once placed, students will be assigned another faculty member who will work with them for the duration of their placement.
Sharlene Kerelejza, Interim Director of Practicum Education/Assistant Clinical Professor, MSW, LMSW
Faculty Spotlight: Sharlene Kerelejza
Sharlene Kerelejza, MSW, LMSW, has been a clinical assistant professor in Sacred Heart University’s School of Social Work since 2019, where she incorporates her experiences to support her demonstrated teaching excellence. Since her start at the University, she has served as the Interim Director of Practicum Education and as an Inclusive Teaching Fellow from 2021-2022. She is also a Certified Body Trust® Provider and Certified Healing Centered Engagement Practitioner.
When it comes to helping students succeed, Professor Kerelejza truly cherishes the opportunity to support students in every step of the field placement process. She works diligently to resolve field placement challenges and help students strengthen their professional mediation skills to serve others.
“Witnessing students take in and integrate growth-centered feedback across the classroom, placement site and in relationship to staff and faculty throughout the School of Social Work provides me great delight and pride in such a strong practicum team and student body.”
-Professor Sharlene Kerelejza
Professor Kerelejza earned her BSW from the University of Saint Joseph (then Saint Joseph College) and her MSW from Columbia University before beginning her career in the non-profit sector where she exercised her passion for social justice and equity advocacy, and supported survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Her passion called her to work in primary violence prevention programming for twenty-five years, ten of which she served as Executive Director of Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, Domestic Violence Services. Her public service efforts also include organizing and serving as Organizer of the Women’s March in Hartford, Connecticut.
Currently, her primary professional interests include trauma-informed practice, creating safe spaces for the LGBTGEQIAP+ community, organizing, and non-profit leadership/management. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, hiking and dancing with her spouse and their two children.
“Obtaining my MSW will allow me to work in a setting where clinical experience is required, such as a hospital. It has been my dream to be a hospital social worker because of my own story of having a disability and spending time in a hospital. Sacred Heart is, and will, help me make that dream a reality.”
– Katie Tomlinson, Online Master of Social Work Student, 2019
Your Questions Answered
Choosing to pursue an online degree comes with a lot of questions. We’re here to help you find the answers you’re looking for about your program of study and field work experience. If you have a question we haven’t covered, call (877) 791-7181 to speak with a program manager or request more information.