Field Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the Department’s education and experience requirements for Field Instructors of Bachelor-level residential students?
Juniors require supervision from a field instructor that has at least a Bachelor of Social Work degree (LSW preferred) with a minimum of two years post-graduate social work experience. Seniors require supervision from a field instructor that has a MSW degree (LSW/LISW/LCSW preferred) with at least one year of post-graduate social work experience.
2. How many field hours are residential students expected to complete?
Juniors complete fieldwork during the Spring semester. Junior will workabout 15 hours a week from the beginning of February through the beginning of April in order to complete a minimum 100 field hours. The field days for Juniors is typically Tuesdays and Thursdays. Seniors complete fieldwork during the Fall semester. Seniors will work approximately 32 hours a week in order to complete the minimum of 400 field hours.Senior fieldwork days are typically Tuesday through Friday. Field days are flexible as long as they do not conflict with students’ course schedules.
3. What does the residential student interview process entail?
Students are expected to interview with at least three potential field placements. Students will take the initiative to contact each agency to schedule an interview. Once their interviews are complete, students will rank their selected agencies. Potential field instructors will also weigh in on individual students who are a good fit for their agency. Combined, this information will guide the Director of Field Education in making final placement decisions.
4. What types of supports and training are provided to Field Instructors?
The Department provides a training for Field Instructors and students at the beginning of each semester. The Director of Field Education is also available for consultation throughout the semester. Additionally, the Field Seminar Instructor will convene one or more conference calls with the student and Field Instructor andwill conduct a site visit at least once each semester. The Department also disseminates relevant articles and materials to Field Instructors to facilitate continued education.
5. What types of coursework do residential students need to complete prior to and during fieldwork?
Prior to engaging in fieldwork, students must complete several courses including five social work courses: an Introduction to Social Workcourse, a course that exposes students to different settings of practice (Social Work Field Exploration), a course that offers students the opportunity to spend a full work week observing a professional social worker in one particular setting of practice (Intensive Social Work Observation), Ethics in Professional Helping,and Chemical Dependency.Students are also expected to complete Social Work Practice with Groups prior to or concurrently with their junior fieldwork. Both juniors and seniors must also complete a field seminar course concurrently with their fieldwork. This course offers the opportunity for students to process their field experiences and engage in further learning.
6. I meet the requirements to serve as a field instructor but would need the support of other staff at my agency to assist in coordination of field activities. Is that acceptable?
Yes. We recognize that often it takes a team effort to successfully participate in an internship program. We are perfectly fine with agencies assigning anAgency Field Coordinator to help conduct student orientations and in-service trainings, verify and sign student timesheets, and coordinate field assignments and activities while the BSW or MSW completes the coreField Instructor responsibilities (e.g. provide the 1-hour/week supervision, complete student evaluations, etc.).
7. What types of tasks can a BSW intern do?
BSW student are able to lead a variety of case management, counseling, and other tasks on behalf of individuals, families, groups,organizations, and communities. Some of the most common tasks for a BSW intern include:
- Scheduling client appointments;
- Providing support for an intake line and help with the triage of clients coming in for services;
- Utilizing a psychosocial assessment tool to engage clients—and, when appropriate, other members of client systems—in information-gathering and decision-making processes to help clients identify their goals, strengths, and challenges;
- Collaborating with clients and other service providers to develop, implement, monitor, and amend individualized case plans that promote clients’ strengths, advance clients’ well-being, and help clients achieve their goals;
- Conducting home visits to facilitate case plan development, implementationand monitoring;
- Identifying appropriate community resources for a client based on review of the client’s assessment;
- Offering education, advocacy, referrals and supportive counseling to clients;
- Documenting case management activities in the appropriate client record system;
- Designing group activities and facilitate groups;
- Participating in/present client cases at case staffing meetings;
- Supporting the development and implementation of an agency’s community education and public awareness efforts as appropriate;
- Supporting an agency’s efforts to engage in policy analysis and policy action to advance social and economic justice; and
- Attending and take notes during community meetings (e.g. FAPT meetings).
8. What if I have further questions? Who do I contact if I am interested in becoming a field instructor?
The Director of Field Education, Dr. Raquel Ellis, would be more than happy to talk with you. She may be reached at or 434-592-3779. The agency enrollment documents and steps that agencies and potential field instructors must take to participate in the internship program are detailed at the bottom of the Social Work Field Website.
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