Placement Planning Process for Agencies

Placement Matching Steps:

1. Social Work students complete an extensive survey to assess their skills, experiences, and interests;
2. The FEC recruits potential placement agencies/Field Instructors. Agencies are recruited on an ongoing basis, with the majority of agencies being recruited in March/April for fourth year placements, and in October for third year placements;
3. Matches are drafted by the FEC (or students apply to specific competitive placements);
4. Students interview with their Placement Agency;
5. Placements are confirmed (or agencies decline the prospective student).

Students are assigned to their placements one of three ways:

1. Direct Assignment: The FEC takes all available data (information from agencies/about the position, and information about the student) to create optimal matches. A single student is then assigned to a single opportunity. The student will need to interview/be vetted/approved by the agency before the placement match is finalized. Agencies have final say over whether a student's placement is approved.
2. Competitive Process (through the FEC): students apply and compete against other students for a single position. Agencies request that students apply to the FEC who forwards the top candidate(s) on to the agency for their review/decision.
3. Competitive Process (through the agency): students apply and compete against other students for a single position. Agencies request that students apply directly to the agency for their review/decision.

Matching Timeline

Third Year Placements

• September: Students complete their placement planning form/survey
• October: Field Placement Agencies are recruited
• November/December: Students interview with placement agencies and have their placements confirmed
• January: The Social Work Department facilitates a virtual orientation for Field Instructors before placement starts. Placement begins.

Fourth Year Placements

• February/March: Students complete their placement planning form/survey
• March: Field Placement Agencies are recruited
• April/May: Students interview with placement agencies and have their placements confirmed
• September: The Social Work Department facilitates a virtual orientation for Field Instructors before placement starts. Placement begins.