1. When does field placement begin and end?
2. Can I choose my field placement?
3. Can I do my field placement where I work?
4. Will my field placement be close to where I live?
6. If I am awarded work-study, will I be guaranteed a field placement in a work-study site?
7. What days am I in the field placement?
8. How many hours a week will I need to commit to my field placement?
9. Will I receive a grade for the field placement?
11. If I do not have a car, will I be assigned to a field placement site?
12. Will I be placed with the target population of my choice?
13. Can I do an administrative placement in the foundation year?
14. How will I be notified where I have been placed?
15. What specific requirements must be completed prior to my starting the placement?
1. When does field placement begin and end?
Field placement begins approximately two weeks after the start of classes and ends the last week in April.
back to top
2.
Can I choose my field placement?
The Placement Committee will select your field placement based on your geographic location, prior experience and expectations, striving to provide one that will broaden your educational and life experiences.
back to top
3. Can I do my field placement where I work?
Only in special circumstances may you be assigned to the agency in which you already work. To discuss a potential exception, please contact the field faculty listed below.
back to top
4. Will my field placement be close to where I live?
We make every attempt to locate an educationally appropriate placement as close to your residence as possible. At times, the best placement match is further from your home than you may prefer. We will confer with you before confirming such a placement.
back to top
5. Do I get paid?
Most of our field placement agencies do not provide a stipend or salary for students. While some offer stipends, based on language ability or other special circumstances, a stipend is never guaranteed.
back to top
6. If I am awarded work-study, will I be guaranteed a field placement in a work-study site?
Every attempt is made to place each student who is awarded work-study in a work-study field placement agency. The vast majority of field placement agencies are work-study sites. However, some do not participate for a number of legal reasons and, therefore, we cannot guarantee that the agency in which you are placed will be a work-study site.
back to top
7. What days am I in the field placement?
Our regular field placement days are Mondays and Wednesdays. Should you have special circumstances that necessitate a different arrangement, you will need to speak to a field faculty member prior to starting your field placement.
back to top
8. How many hours a week will I need to commit to my field placement?
You will need to complete 16 hours per week for a total of 450 hours for the academic year.
back to top
9. Will I receive a grade for the field placement?
Field Practicum is a three-unit course for which you will receive a CR (credit) or NC (no credit). You will receive an evaluation and a grade for each semester.
back to top
10. If I am coming from out of town and will not be arriving until school begins, how will a placement location be chosen for me?
The earlier we know your location, the sooner we can confirm your field placement. Over the summer, we advise you to explore areas where you would like to live. We also encourage you to contact the Student Organization representatives, who can link you with concentration-year students who moved here from out of town, are familiar with the area and are knowledgeable about making this transition.
back to top
11. If I do not have a car, will I be assigned to a field placement site?
Yes. Public transportation is less extensive in Los Angeles than in many metropolitan areas. While we can accommodate you, the number of field placement options for non-driving students is limited.
back to top
12. Will I be placed with the target population of my choice?
You will probably not be assigned a placement in your preferred area. The purpose for the foundation-year placement is to expand your knowledge base and offer you an area of learning that is different from your past experiences.
back to top
13. Can I do an administrative placement in the foundation year?
All foundation-year students are required to spend 50 percent of their 16 hours per week doing direct clinical practice with individuals, families and groups. They also are required to fulfill a 30-hour macro project.
back to top
14. How will I be notified where I have been placed?
You will receive a packet via email and U.S. mail with the placement information and a request to contact your assigned agency for a pre-placement visit so you can begin satisfying the specific agency requirements. Please keep us informed of your current email and mailing addresses.
back to top
15. What specific requirements must be completed prior to my starting the placement?
Many field placement agencies require fingerprinting, criminal clearance and TB testing. Some agencies require proof of car insurance, a good driving record, a medical evaluation and/or drug testing. You will be notified as to which of these your assigned field placement requires.
back to top
16. If I have circumstances that impede my placement in certain agencies, will that affect my admission status and field placement?
Students’ admission will not be affected by such a situation. However, it is imperative that the Placement Committee be apprised of this as soon as possible to make appropriate placement assignments that will not jeopardize the students’ confidentiality or the agency requirements. Should this information not be forthcoming, it can impede your successful progression through the program.
back to top
