Fieldwork Hours

How many fieldwork hours are required?

The field placement must consist of 450 clock hours of school-based practice under supervision of a qualified person holding a PPS certification. The field placement must take place with at least two age groups (preschool, elementary school, middle school, or high school) with a minimum of 100 clock hours at each setting, not to exclude district services and programs or alternative school settings. You must also complete a minimum of 100 hours with at least 10 pupils of an ethnic background different from yourself. These hours can be included in the required 450 clock hours.

May I accrue fieldwork hours before I begin taking the PPSC courses?

If you interned at a school during the second year of your MSW program or worked at one after you graduated with your MSW within the last seven years and your hours were supervised by a qualified person holding a PPS certification in California, your fieldwork hours may count. Fieldwork hours cannot be verified until after you are admitted to the program.

May I use fieldwork hours from my MSW program?

Yes, if you were supervised by a qualified person holding a PPS certification in California. If you are using fieldwork hours from your MSW program, we will only accept fieldwork hours from the second year field placement. Copies of your second year MSW field evaluations will need to be submitted with your fieldwork paperwork. We also do not accept fieldwork hours from BSW/BASW programs.

Does my field experience need to be completed before enrolling the program?

No, you can complete your fieldwork while taking the courses or after.

How much time do I have to complete fieldwork?

You must successfully complete your fieldwork hours within three years of enrolling in our program in order to be eligible to apply for the PPS certification. We recommend visiting the California Association of School Social Workers website and reviewing the sample school social worker job description. 

Placement Questions

What are the duties expected at a field placement?

The primary roles of school social workers are to provide social work services in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in programs organized primarily for adults. We recommend visiting the California Association of School Social Workers website and reviewing the sample school social worker job description.

Does Sacramento State place students?

If fieldwork hours are not complete, you should be in the process of obtaining a field placement or completing your fieldwork hours through employment or volunteer work in a public school setting. You are responsible for securing your own field placement.

Do I need liability insurance?

You will need to check to make sure you are covered under your school district’s liability insurance for its personnel or volunteers. If you would like to obtain your own insurance, you can do so through NASW.

Do you accept out-of-state fieldwork hours?

Fieldwork hours must be completed in the state of California. We do not accept out-of-state fieldwork hours. No exceptions.

Fieldwork Instructors

Does my field instructor need to have a PPS certification in school social work?

A qualified person holding a PPS certification in school social work in California must provide field instruction supervision.

In rural areas only, if this person does not have a PPS certification in school social work, they must have their PPS in school psychology or school counseling and we ask that you find an MSW who is willing to supervise your fieldwork hours in addition to the PPS holder.

What are the requirements to be a field instructor?

Field instructors must:

• All supervisors must have their PPSC in school social work. The only exception is in rural areas. Then the supervisor may have their PPSC in any field, but an additional person with their MSW must also sign off on your paperwork.
• Have two years of post-PPS experience.
• Meet weekly with you for one hour of individual supervision.
• Work with you to develop a learning agreement.
• Complete a field evaluation at the end of your field placement.