MSW@Denver Field Internship Placement Process & Resources

MSW@Denver Contact Information: 

  • The MSW@Denver placement process is overseen by our 2U partners. Please reach out to your Placement Specialist for support. 
  • If you have questions prior to being assigned a placement specialist or concerns about your placement process, please email fieldplacement@onlinemsw.du.edu AND Field Placement Manager, Erin Clark (erin.e.clark@du.edu)

The MSW@Denver field placement process is outlined in detail in the Field Manual. Check out the Student Field Placement Process - MSW@Denver section to review step by step instructions from attending Field Orientation to attending a Field Liaison Meet and Greet at the beginning of the placement.

  • Field Placement Process and Deadlines

    Click here to review an infographic of placement timeline dates to remember.

    Review the information below for specific due dates throughout the placement process: 

    Field Start Date Change 

    • To have your field start date be earlier (i.e. move start date from Fall 26 to Summer 26), you must inform the placement team (fieldplacement@onlinemsw.du.edu) no later than 10 weeks prior to the new field start date you’re requesting 

    • You may push back your placement start date to a later quarter at any point (i.e. from Summer 26 to Fall 26) 

    Referrals 

    • Non-POE referrals due no later than 8 weeks prior to field start date 

     Special Field Arrangements: Place of Employment (POE) + Duplicates 

    • Agency referral for POE site due 16 weeks prior to field start date 

    • POE and duplicate packets due 8 weeks prior to field start date 

    • Agency must complete initial review of Agency Agreement (AA) 8 weeks prior to field start date 

    LOA (leave of absence) return 

    • You must inform the placement team no later than 10 weeks prior to field start date of the quarter in which you wish to return 

    Relocation 

    • A new address must be submitted via the relocation form no later than 10 weeks prior to field start date 

    See specific deadline dates by quarter below: 

    Spring 2026 

    Summer 2026 

    Fall 2026 

    16 weeks: 12/8/2026 

    10 weeks: 1/19/2026 

    8 weeks: 2/2/2026 

    16 weeks: 2/23/2026 

    10 weeks: 4/7/2026 

    8 weeks: 4/20/2026 

    16 weeks: 5/25/2026 

    10 weeks: 7/6/2026 

    8 weeks: 7/20/2026 

  • Field Orientation and Placement Resource Packet

     MSW@Denver students must watch the Field Orientation Recording prior to their welcome call. This recording is from the orientation for students starting in Summer 26; if you are starting at a later quarter, refer to the specific field placement deadlines above as needed. 

    See the orientation resource packet for helpful field placement guidance and information to prepare you for your welcome call with your placement specialist.  

  • Experiential Learning Cloud: MSW@Denver

    MSW@Denver students are invited to ELC before their placement begins.

    • The field team sends students an invitation to register for the GSSW field database, ELC.
    • The field team sends students an email with a video tutorial explaining how to complete the Site Placement Process which includes completing a Field Confirmation Form, connecting to the agency, and connecting to agency supervisor(s).
    • Once students complete the Site Placement Process, they will have access to track internship time and complete field assignments in ELC for the remainder of the field placement. 
      • See the video about how to confirm a placement in ELC below. 
  • Place of Employment Internship Guide: MSW@Denver
    The POE approval process takes time, so please start the process as soon as possible. Communicate early and often with your Placement Specialist as well as your agency supervisors to make sure the process is on track. Students may not begin accruing internship hours until all steps of the POE approval process have been completed.  
     
    POE Deadlines 
    • POE referral forms are due sixteen weeks prior to your scheduled placement start date 
    • POE proposals are due eight weeks prior to your scheduled placement start date.  
    • Agency members of the referred POE agency must complete the initial review of the agency agreement (AA), our legal contract eight weeks prior to your scheduled placement start date 
     
    Students that miss these deadlines can expect to have a delayed start to their internship. 
     
     
    POE Approval Process  
    Students planning to begin a POE internship in Fall 2025 or Winter 2026, please work with your Placement Specialist to complete the previous POE approval process. 
     
    Students planning to begin a POE internship in Spring 2026 and after will complete the following POE approval process: 
     
    1. Communicate your desire to complete a POE internship to your Placement Specialist during the one-on-one placement call 
     
    2. Fill out the referral form for your POE setting, which will be given to you by your Placement Specialist 
    • POE referral forms are due sixteen weeks prior to your scheduled placement start date 
     
    3. Your Placement Specialist will do an initial review of the referral form and request any follow-up information as needed.  
    • If from the initial review the proposed POE internship looks viable, students will be instructed to...(see step 4)
     
    4. Complete the Field Internship in Place of Employment (generalist or advanced practice) form 
    •  Work with your employment and internship supervisors to complete 
    • Once completed, email to let your Placement Specialist know 
    • The POE form is due 6 weeks prior to your planned field start date 
     
    5. *Note agency members of the referred POE agency must complete the initial review of the agency agreement (AA), our legal contract six weeks prior to the scheduled placement start date 
     
    6. Schedule and attend a POE approval meeting with a GSSW field team member 
    • You will receive an email with scheduling instructions 
     
    7. Complete follow-up items from meeting (if needed) 
     
    8. Receive approval of POE from GSSW field team member 
     
    9. Receive official confirmation email from your Placement Specialist 
     
    10. Complete the site placement process in ELC