Office of Field Education
Practicum education is integral to social work, public health, and social policy education at the Brown School. It is designed to translate the theories and skills learned in the classroom into applied practice in varied community settings. These applied learning experiences allow students to practice professional behaviors and develop skills related to their field of study.
The Office of Field Education has over 400 diverse community practicum placements in the St. Louis region, nationally and globally. Students will select a practicum site with a community partner organization whose mission aligns with their interests and career goals.
At the Brown School, we do not assign students to specific practica. Students are responsible for selecting their own practicum experience. This approach allows students to build on knowledge and skills closely related to their career goals. Students must select practicum experiences from agencies affiliated with the School.
The Office of Field Education collaborates with students in the thoughtful selection of their practicum or internship sites, employing a curriculum that places strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, equity, and the development of professional skills. During the practicum experience itself, the dedicated field instructors, assuming the primary role of supervision, engage in weekly 60-minute meetings with the students. Additionally, a field faculty member is assigned to each student, responsible for providing guidance, orientation, and assessment across all aspects of the field education curriculum. This faculty member also maintains a close working relationship and consults regularly with the practicum agency to ensure seamless coordination. It is worth noting that the field faculty members possess specialized expertise in specific areas aligned with the program concentrations and specializations.
Field Faculty and Key Contacts
Jewel Stafford, MSW
Assistant Dean, Office of Field Education, Teaching Professor, Director, Racial Equity Fellows Concentrations: Individualized, American Indian/Alaska Native
- Phone: 314-935-2785
- Email: staffordjd@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 312
Alison Rico, MSW, LCSW
Lecturer, Concentrations: Mental Health
- Phone: 314-935-4054
- Email: arico@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 310
Atia Thurman, MSW
Lecturer, Concentrations: Children, Youth & Families, Social Impact Leadership
- Phone: 314-935-7849
- Email: atiathurman@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 308
Joe Jovanovich, MSW
Lecturer, Concentrations: Social and Economic Development – Domestic, Master of Social Policy
- Phone: 314-935-6660
- Email: jjovanovich@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 305D
Katie VonDeLinde, MSW, LCSW
Lecturer, Concentrations: Mental Health
- Phone: 314-935-8645
- Email: kvondelinde@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 314
Bill Effah
Lecturer, MPH Field Faculty, Focus: Master of Public Health Program
- Phone: 314-935-6779
- Email: w.effah@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 305A
Kate Barbier, MSW, MPH
Lecturer, MPH Field Faculty, Focus: Master of Public Health Program
- Phone: 314-935-2170
- Email: barbierk@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 305C
Erica Jones
Field Education/Practicum Coordinator
- Phone: 314-935-4721
- Email: ericaj@wustl.edu
- Office: Brown Hall 305E
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