FIELD INSTRUCTOR FAQS
What is a field instructor?
What are the requirements for a field instructor?
Certain criteria, set by the Council on Social Work Education, must be met in order to be a field instructor. See requirements below:
A field instructor for a BSW student must be a social worker who holds a MSW degree
from an accredited program and has at least two years of post-graduate experience.
If the instructor is a licensed MSW holder, he or she must have at least two years
of post-graduate experience. (If there is no staff on site who meets these requirements,
exceptions for a "task supervisor" can be made.)
Field Instructors agree to::
1. Supply the program with a current CV or résumé each academic year that a student
is in placement. The MSW degree is preferred for field instructors; however, a BSW
prepared work with two years of experience is suitable.
2. Assume on-site responsibility for the student’s field education experience
(including the responsibilities of the task supervisor, listed below, when there is
no task supervisor utilized in the placement).
3. Collaboratively assess the learning needs of the student within the context
of the program’s competencies and establish appropriate learning activities.
4. Assign tasks that are suitable in terms of the student’s capacity to carry
out functions in the field education setting, recognizing the student as a developing
professional.
5. Prepare and conduct individual weekly one-hour scheduled supervision conferences
with the student.
6. Help the student integrate theoretical knowledge and knowledge from previous
experiences with the student’s present practice, challenging the student to expand
professional skills, knowledge, and values.
7. Confer frequently with the task supervisor and director of field education
regarding the student’s progress.
8. Advocate for student access to learning experiences within the field setting
and the professional community.
9. Meet program requirements by attending meetings for field instructors including
the mandatory annual field instructor training, writing evaluations on student performance,
and signing and submitting field-related papers.
10. Contact the faculty liaison/director of field education where there are concerns
Is there any training involved?
How are students and agencies matched?
Agencies accepting BSW and MSW students are also invited to attend an event called "Meet the Firms and Graduate Schools". These field fairs are held in the fall and spring. This is where students will meet with agency representatives and, together, agencies and students will find matches that suit both parties. Agencies accepting BSW or MSW students will be contacted by students wishing to interview for a potential placement. When agencies and students come to an agreement on a field placement, the field staff is notified.
What is the timeframe for the program?
BSW students complete their hours over the course of Fall and Spring semesters of
one academic year (from September to April). MSW students complete their hours over
the summer of their academic year (from September to August).
BSW junior students are required to complete 40 hours and seniors 400 hours. MSW students
complete 400 hours in their foundation (first) year and 500 hours in their advanced
(second) year.