Dear GSS Community,
Welcome to the new academic year. I am writing to share some important news.
During the spring 2024 semester, MSW students petitioned the Fordham GSS faculty and deans, advocating for a reduction in the required Field practicum hours. Students asked that the GSS requirement be reduced from 950 to 900 hours, which aligns with the minimum number of practicum hours required by the accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The students presented a well-researched and convincing argument. They advocated that a reduction of 50 hours would help to better support students’ academic success and well-being, the vast majority of whom must remain employed while pursuing their studies. Before the end of the 2023-24 academic year, the GSS faculty voted to support the students’ request.
As with any significant curriculum change, the next step was for Fordham to submit a formal request to the New York State Department of Education (NYSED), Office of the Professions. At the end of May, GSS filed the required curriculum change application.
Two weeks ago, Fordham received notice that NYSED had approved GSS’s application.
What this means for students and agencies:
The new Fordham GSS Field hour requirement, a minimum of 900 hours, will go into effect immediately for all BASW and MSW students. BASW (undergraduate) and Generalist year MSW (graduate) students must complete a minimum of 450 hours during their first practicum placement. Advanced/Specialist year and Advanced Standing MSW students will also be required to complete a minimum of 450 hours.* Students currently in a Field placement will maintain the hour commitment with their agency through the end of the placement.
*Students who enroll in the Fordham Advanced Standing MSW program from an undergraduate Bachelor in Social Work program that required only 400 Field Education hours will be required to complete a minimum of 500 as a GSS Advanced Standing student.
It is important to remember that students are not graded and do not receive academic credit based on the number of Field Education hours they complete. Rather, performance and successful completion are based on students’ ability to demonstrate they have acquired the nine CSWE-required professional practice competencies. The 900-hour requirement is the minimum number of hours a student must complete as they strive to demonstrate they have successfully acquired the practice competencies.
Some agencies and specialized fellowship programs may request that an MSW student complete more than the minimum 900 hours. However, no student is obligated to participate in a specialized program or accept a placement at an agency that requires more than the minimum hour commitment.
I want to thank both our students and our faculty for their collaboration in service of supporting all students while also protecting GSS Field Education quality and integrity.
I wish everyone a wonderful 2024-25 academic year!
Sincerely,
Dean Debra M. McPhee
