Boston University School of Social Work Department of Field Education Online Program
264 Bay State Road
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
T 617-353-3755F 617-353-8348
E
Dear Field Educator:
Thank you for your interest in an affiliation with the Boston University School of Social Work. Field Education is a cornerstone experience for graduate social work students and your participation in our program is essential and appreciated.
Below please find the following:
1)Agency Placement Form
2)Field Instructor Profile
3)Criteria for Field Instructors and Agencies
Please complete and return the Agency Placement Form and the Field Instructor Profile electronically to as soon as possible. We welcome additional information such as brochures, annual reports, or descriptions of available learning opportunities, which provide a more indepth picture of your agency or program.
We will contact you shortly about students we are recommending to you for placement. Students will then contact you to set up an interview.Field internships begin three times a year, at the start of the semester in September, January, or May.
Throughout the process, the following Field Education staff members are available to talk with you: Diane Casey Crowley, Online Advising and Field Education Coordinator, who can be reached at 617-699-8299or and Kristina Whiton-O’Brien, Assistant Director of Online Field Education and Advising, who can be reached at 617-872-8995or . We invite you to look at our web pagefor further Field Education information.
We recognize and value the commitment and investment you make in the education of our students. Thank you in advance for your participation in our students’ education.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Trudy ZimmermanKristina Whiton-O’BrienDiane Casey Crowley
Assistant Dean for Field EducationAssistant Director of OnlineOnline Advising and Field
Field Education andEducation Coordinator
Advising
Boston University School of Social Work
Online Program
264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215
Agency Placement Form
Agency:
Mailing Address: city state zip
Telephone:Fax:
Agency Website:
Contact Person: E-mail:
We will accept the following # of BUSSW students:
Foundation (480 Hours):Advanced (720 Hours):
Advanced with Human Service Experience (1000 Hours):
Do students have to apply directly to agency for internship: Yes No
Student application deadline:
What is the application process?
Indicate the following opportunities available for student assignments:
Clinical
Individuals:
Couples:
Groups:
Families:
Family Therapy:
Milieu:
Car needed to reach site?
Brief statement of agency mission or purpose(1 sentence):
Describe student assignments as specifically as possible:
Suggestions regarding the type of learner who would do best in this setting:
We expect all agencies to orient students to the agency’s safety policies and procedures. Does your agency have written safety policies and procedures and how do you orient and train students about these?
Indicate the number and amount of STIPEND(S) available to student(s):
Special site requirements (i.e. criminal background checks, immunizations):
Required evening hours:
Different start/end dates:
Required meetings (include which days):
Helpful language(s):
Can up to 8 hours of student assignments be done evenings or weekends? (Agency open, supervision available—If YES, list preferred times):
Please complete the following information about your Placement Site:
Type of Setting (specify if applicable)Child Welfare
Coalitions
Community Organizations
Developmental Disabilities
Family Service/Multi Service
Forensic/Corrections
Foundations
Health/Public Health
Homelessness
Housing
Industrial
Legislative/Government
Mental Health
Planning/Program Development
Policy Advocacy
Schools
Services to Older Adults
Social Action
Substance Abuse
Violence
Other / Primary Population(s) Served
Infants and Preschool
Middle Childhood
Adolescents
Adults
Elderly
Families
GLBTQ
Women
Men
Newcomers and Refugees
People of Color (specify)
Ethnic Groups (specify)
Sectarian Groups (specify)
People with disabilities (specify)
Does agency have students from other schools? Yes # No
List affiliations with other Schools of Social Work or disciplines:
Describe the educational opportunities in your agency including outside consultants, seminars, etc.
Please list the name(s) of primary field instructor(s) available for this placement site. Please indicate who will be supervising M.S.W. students for the first time. Refer to the Criteria for Field Instructors. Please have each field instructor complete a Field Instructor Profile.
Name:
E-Mail:
SW School and Year of Graduation:
Concentration/Major:
New Field Instructor? Yes No
Name:
E-Mail:
SW School and Year of Graduation:
Concentration/Major:
New Field Instructor? Yes No
Name:
E-Mail:
SW School and Year of Graduation:
Concentration/Major:
New Field Instructor? Yes No
Additional information about the student training program which you believe will be helpful to students and the Online Program Field Education Department in the placement process. Please comment on opportunities for students to learn about and work with culturally diverse clients and communities (e.g. racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, class, gender, religious, age, ability).
FIELD INSTRUCTOR PROFILE
(To be completed by all field instructors)
Please fill in this sheet carefully, as it will be used in compiling data for our school bulletin and for Online Program Field Education Department records. Please attach a resume to this profile.
Date:
Name:Best phone number to reach you: E-mail:
Name of Agency:
Address:
Position in Agency:
Education:
GraduateSchool (Most Recent First)Degree Date Major
Social Work License
State: Number/Level: Date:
Professional Experience
AgencyDatesTitle/PositionFull or Part-Time
Do you wish to identify ethnically, racially, or culturally? If so, please indicate:
Gender identity (optional)
I will be primary field instructor for an MSW student for the first time* YES NO
*If YES, all new field instructors are required to take our seminar in supervision which is given in the Fall.
*If NO, prior field instructor experience of MSW students
School of Social WorkField AgencyYearNo. Supervisees
Other Supervisory Experience (Social Work)
AgencyDatesNo. SuperviseesEducational Level
Courses in Supervision Completed
Course TitleInstructorGiven WhereDate
Areas of Practice Specialization
I have read the criteria for Field Instructors, and I agree to abide by and represent these
standards. I agree to act as the student’s Field Instructor for the full academic year.
Signature (please type):
Boston University School of Social WorkField Education DepartmentOnline Program
CRITERIA FOR NEW FIELD INSTRUCTORS AND AGENCIES
Both the agency and the field instructor play critical roles in the professional education of the student. The School chooses field placement agencies which support the mission of the social work profession and the Boston University School of Social Work through the work they do and the communities they serve. Similarly, field instructors demonstrate their commitment to the profession’s knowledge, values and skills in their supervision and support of students and their own competent and ethical practice.
Field Instructors are agency staff members selected by the agency who must meet the following criteria
of the BUSSW Online Program Field Education Department.
1.Master's degree from an accredited school of social work.
2.Minimum of two years, relevant full-time, supervised post-MSW experience.
3.LICSW or equivalent for agencies outside Massachusetts is preferredfor field instructors in advanced clinical placements. An LCSW or equivalent for agencies outside Massachusetts is preferred for field instructors who supervise students in foundation placements. Exceptions may apply in some states and municipal agencies.
4.Sufficient term of employment at the agency to ensure familiarity with agency policies and procedures and availability to meet the student's needs.
5.Agreement to act as field instructor on a continuing basis during the academic year or a full placement period.
6.Commitment to:
a)Ensure that two hours of supervision per week are provided. A minimum of one hour of individual supervision per week must be provided by the primary MSW field instructor. A second hour of supervision must be provided to the student and can be given by either the primary field instructor or another qualified professional either individually or in a small group (staff meetings do not qualify as supervision.
Students in extended (12 month) field placements are required to have a minimum of 1.5 hours of supervision per week as long as, in the judgment of the field instructor and faculty advisor, this is sufficient for the student. At least one hour must be individual supervision provided by the primary MSW field instructor.
It is the responsibility of the primary field instructor to ensure both the quality and quantity of supervision.
b)Read student materials, and meet and consult with school representatives.
c)Use recordings as a teaching tool in supervisory conferences. See “Recording as a Learning/Teaching Tool” in the Guide for Field Education.
d)Develop a written educational contract with the student.
e)Provide appropriate assignments for the student at the start of placement.
7.Field instructors who are acting as primary supervisors to MSW students for the first time are required to participate in an online seminar that examines the content and process of field instruction. Seminar should be taken concurrently with student’s placement. Prospective primary field instructors who are unable to participate in the seminar may not be considered even though they meet all the other criteria listed above. Social workers who have served as the primary field instructor for MSW students from another school are not required to take the course but may do so if they wish.
8.If the field instructor and the student have had a pre-existing professional or social relationship, this information should be shared with the Field Education Department so that the appropriateness of the placement can be determined.
9.The field instructor is expected to evaluate the student's practice on a continuing basis and provide written evaluations consistent with the School's calendar and deadlines.
Expectations of Agencies
Agencies are expected to support the mission, goals, and values of the social work profession and the educational objectives of Boston University School of Social Work
To ensure the student’s learning in the field, the agency is expected to provide the student with the following:
1.A sufficient number and variety of assignments to support the progression of learning. We expect students to become involved in practice activities within two to three weeks of the start of the placement.
2.An orientation to the agency's missions, programs, and communities served.
3.An orientation to the agency's safety policies and procedures and ongoing support to ensure safety in the field.
4.An orientation to legal and ethical issues and documentation requirements specific to the agency’s mission and programs.
5.Adequate work space and access to telephones, computers, agency email, databases, records, etc., to fulfill the requirements of the agency and School.
6.Reimbursement for expenses involved in rendering agency services, e.g., home visit travel costs.
7.Adequate insurance coverage for students who are expected to use personal vehicles for agency purposes and who do not have their own insurance coverage for this type of activity.
8.Access to staff, committee, and seminar meetings when appropriate.
9.Use of selected agency records (appropriately disguised to ensure client and agency confidentiality) for class assignments.
10.Use of agency consultation resources when appropriate.
11.Adequate time so that the field instructor can meet the School's criteria for working with a student.
******************************************************************************
The Boston University School of Social Work Online Program Field Education Department does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental handicap, marital, parental, veteran status, or sexual orientation.