BSW Field Manual
Bachelor of Social Work Field Manual
For more information, contact:
Ross McDonough L.C.S.W., Field Education Director, Social Welfare Program
Department of Sociology & Anthropology
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645
(904) 620-1653
Table of Contents
I.MISSION STATEMENTS
A.University of North Florida Mission Statement
B.BSW Program Mission Statement
II.INTRODUCTION TO BSW FIELD EDUCATION
A.Introduction
B.General Description
III.THE FIELD EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
A.Eligibility for Field Education
B.Organization of Field Education
C.Course Objectives
D.Course Requirements
E.The Field Education Process
F.Reading Assignments and Activities
G.Use of Supervision
IV.POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A.Field Agency Policies
B.Enhancing Safety
C.Resolving Fieldwork Concerns
D.Dismissal of Students From Fieldwork
E.Procedure for the Removal of Students from Fieldwork
F.Practicum Placements that Require Special Request
G.Professional Liability Insurance
H.Disability
V.FIELD EDUCATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A.Role of the Field Education Director
B. Role of the Faculty Field Liaison
C. Role and Responsibility of the Agency Field Instructor
D. Responsibility of the Host Agency
E. Responsibility of the Student
I. MISSION STATEMENTS
A.University of North Florida Mission Statement
The University of North Florida fosters the intellectual and cultural growth and civic awareness of its students, preparing them to make significant contributions to their communities in the region and beyond. At UNF, students and faculty engage together and individually in the discovery and application of knowledge. UNF faculty and staff maintain an unreserved commitment to student success within a diverse, supportive campus culture.
B.BSW Program Mission Statement
The mission of the UNF BSW program is to prepare students with the generalist knowledge, values, and skills to provide effective social work services to diverse client systems, such as individuals or families, in a variety of practice settings (e.g., schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government agencies). Our curriculum is designed to enhance students’ understanding of and sensitivity to economic and social inequalities and foster commitment to serving and advocating for the wellbeing of those who are vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed.
II.INTRODUCTION TO BSW FIELD EDUCATION
A.Introduction
Welcome to the University of North Florida Bachelor of Social Work Field Education Program. This manual will help to orient you to the field education experience and answer many of the questions that you might have about this opportunity. This manual references several administrative documents that students are required to use to facilitate requirements of the field education experience. All documents referenced in this manual are available on the UNF Social Work web page:
B. General Description
Field education is integral to the education and professional socialization of social work students, providing a structured and supervised environment in which students may apply theoretical knowledge, test and refine practice skills, and adopt professional behaviors. Field education allows students to apply the generalist knowledge and skills acquired through academic courses to social work practice with a specific client system in a social services setting.
Field education consists of two 225-hour field education placements. Field Education I (SOW 4511) and II (SOW 4512) will combine for a total of 450 hours in the same field placement over the course of two consecutive semesters. Students will complete all 450 hours in the same placement setting for both semesters. Students will be concurrently enrolled in SOW 4522Field Seminar I for the first semester and SOW 4523Field Seminar II for the second semester. This is an academic course aimed at enhancing the learning experience of field education education through the use of research, reflection, problem solving, critical thinking and self-care. Students will be graded according to their performance in the assignments required by their professor.
Students are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in this manual. Students are also expected to adhere to the policies and procedures of their placement agencies as well as the NASW Code of Ethics (
III.THE FIELD EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
A.Eligibility for Field Education
Field education is a required component of the social work program at the University of North Florida. During field education, students are placed in a social services agency under the supervision of a professional social worker. In order to be eligible for field education, students must be in the second year of the BSW program, have a cumulative grade point average in their major of 2.5, and have completed all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better. The prerequisite courses should be taken during the first year of the program. They are listed below:
SOW 3203 Social Welfare Institutions
SOW 4101Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SOW 3293Social Work Communication
SOW 3403Social Work Research Methods
SOW 4302Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
SOW 4102Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SOW 4XXXSocial Work Practice with Groups
SOW XXXX Diversity Course
In addition to completing the required course work, students must meet other criteria as well. Host site agencies will have minimum requirements for placement. Almost all social service agencies require that employees and interns/students pass a criminal background check and drug screening. If a student is unable to pass a criminal background check or drug screening, that student will not be eligible for placement or participation in Field Education. The BSW program at UNF will not be able to accommodate students who have criminal records or who are unable to pass a drug screen. Students should take note that this could result in their inability to successfully earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss any such issues of eligibility with the Field Education Director during orientation to the BSW program.
B.Organization of Field Education
During the spring semester of the first year in the program, students will complete the Field Education Application and submit it to the Field Education Director. This application will inform the Field Education Director of the interests and preference for field education placement. Students will also be given the opportunity to share their work experience and expected availability of schedule. The Field Education Director will take all of this into account and assign each student to a particular agency and supervisor. Students will be notified of their placement prior to their second year of the program. In addition to the other required courses in the second year of the program, students will enroll in SOW 4511 Field Education I and SOW 4522Field Seminar I in the fall semester. During the spring semester, students will enroll in SOW 4512 Field Education II and SOW 4523 Field Seminar II. Students will earn three credit hours for successful completion of each of the courses listed above (12 credit hours total).
Students must complete their required field education hours during the semester (225 each semester). This will mean that on average, students should expect to dedicate 15 hours per week at their field placement agency.
In addition to time in the agency setting, students are required to attend and participate in Field Seminar class meetings held at the University. An effort will be made to schedule social work course offerings in such a way that they minimally interfere with the field education time at the agency.
While Field Seminar I and II are graded courses, Field Education I and II are pass/fail courses. There will be no grade given other than an indication of successfully completing the course (Pass) or failure to complete the course (Fail). Due to the special nature of the field placement course, there will be no “Incomplete” designations made for the final grade unless there are extreme, unanticipated, extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from completing their hours. An “Incomplete” will only be granted under certain conditions. Students must agree to finish their hours during a timeframe that is agreed to by both the Field Education Director and Agency Field Instructor. Students must be in good standing at UNF and have satisfactory evaluations from their Agency Field Instructor. The decision to grant the grade of “Incomplete” will be the discretion of the Field Education Director.
In order to successfully complete Field Education I and II, students must:
- Complete and document their 225 hours (each semester) verified by signature by their supervisor
- Complete all associated administrative paperwork such as Acknowledgment of Liability, Placement Confirmation, Learning Contract, and Acknowledgment of Receipt of Field Manual
- Receive and turn in satisfactory Supervisor Evaluations each semester
- Participate in site visit with Field EducationDirector or Faculty Field Liaison
- Attend class meetings for Field Education I and II
- Successfully follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Social Work Fieldwork Handbook, NASW Code of Ethics and policies and procedures of the placement agency
Students will be expected to conduct themselves as professionals in the field placement setting. Students will be required to provide for their own transportation and appropriate attire for the setting. Students must not be late. Students must not leave their field placement settings early without discussing this with their Agency Field Instructor. Students must follow appropriate procedure for absence due to illness. The expectation of professionalism will be required from the first day of the placement and throughout.
BSW students participate in the delivery of social services to a combination of individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. By the end of field education, students will be expected to function at the high level of performance characteristic of entry-level baccalaureate social work practitioners.
C. Course Objectives
At the conclusion of field education, students will demonstrate mastery of the CSWE Core Competencies.
EP 2.1.1 Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly
EP 2.1.2Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice
EP 2.1.3Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments
EP 2.1.4Engage diversity and difference in practice
EP 2.1.5Advance human rights and social and economic justice
EP 2.1.6Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research
EP 2.1.7Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment
EP 2.1.8Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services
EP 2.1.9 Respond to contexts that shape practice
EP 2.1.10 Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
The course objectives for field education (Field Education I & II; Field Seminar I & II) are listed below:
1. Students will demonstrate professional roles and boundaries.
2.Students will display good judgment in seeking appropriate supervision and consultation with supervisors and co-workers/colleagues.
3.Students will demonstrate knowledge and critical thinking in making ethical decisions by applying standards of the NASW Code of Ethics.
4.Students will show evidence of effective written and oral communication in working with individuals, families and groups.
5.Students will demonstrate self-awareness and strategize to eliminate the influence of personal bias and values in working with diverse groups.
6.Students will engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.
7.Students will demonstrate the use of research evidence to inform their practice.
8.Students will show evidence of the use of conceptual frameworks to guide the process of assessment, intervention and evaluation.
9.Students will collaborate with colleagues for effective policy action.
10.Students will promote sustainable changes in service delivery and practice to improve the quality of social services.
11.Students will demonstrate effective use of empathy and other interpersonal skills.
12.Students will effectively collect, organize, and interpret client data.
13.Students will show evidence of their ability to assess client strengths and limitations.
14.Students will demonstrate the ability to develop mutually agreed-upon intervention goals and objectives.
15.Students will critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions.
D. Course Requirements
1.Agency Contact Hours
Students must complete a total of 450 hours of field education (225 in each semester: Field Education I & II) in order to meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Social Work. Students should expect to dedicate an average of 15 hours per week to field education throughout the fall and spring semesters when enrolled in Field Education I & II. In order to understand the ways in which social work concepts and activities impact populations, students are expected to be in placement during regular agency business hours (usually Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm) when professional social workers and administrators are most likely to be available for coordination, collaboration and supervision. There may be exceptions made in situations where the agency does not operate during traditional business hours. This exception will be made by the Field Education Directorand will only be made based on the context of the host agency rather than the availability of the student. Students will not earn field hours for holidays or sick days. Students will not accrue hours for being “on call.” Students may only accrue hours for actual time spent participating in field education.
Students are not able to accrue field education hours for work done from home (i.e. checking email, making phone calls). The 450 hours accumulated for credit for Field Education I & II must take place in the field. Students are not able to log hours they spend driving from home to the host agency. Students are not able to log hours they spend on campus for Field Seminar I & II. Some formal training, workshops or conferences provided or required by the host agency may count towards the 450 hour requirement but this must be determined by the Field Education Director. Any time spent traveling on behalf of the duties and responsibilities of the student position at the host agency (home visits, court appearances, etc.) may count toward the 450 hour requirement.
Students may become unable to perform the regular duties associated with field education at their host agency placement due to illness or other situation. In addition to notifying their supervisor in a timely manner of their absence, students will be required to make up the hours missed in order to meet their total of 225 per semester. Illness and other reasons for absence will not be grounds for forgiving absence from field education where the 225 hours per semester are not met. In the case that the student does not finish the 225 hours during the semester, the student will have to enroll in Field Education I or II (depending on the course that they did not complete) in a future semester and attempt the entire course over again. A grade of “I” (Incomplete) will be assigned only in situations where there are extreme, unanticipated, extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from completing their hours. An “Incomplete” will only be granted under certain conditions that the student must consent to. Students must agree to finish their hours during a timeframe that is agreed to by both the Field Education Director and Agency Field Instructor. Students must be in good standing with UNF and have satisfactory evaluations from their Agency Field Instructor. The decision to grant the grade of “Incomplete” will be the discretion of the Field Education Director.
Because the field experience is primarily educational in focus and activity, the student needs to be aware that he/she is not expected to augment the 450 required hours in ways detrimental to other personal or work priorities. In other words, the student is not required by the University to put in many hours in excess of 450 to meet the expectation of the host agency. If a student is in this situation, they should notify their Faculty Field Liaison to determine an appropriate resolution of this dynamic. Students are urged to be aware of personal and professional obligations and priorities and to determine the total hours spent during field education in a way that does not jeopardize academic progress, mental health, or work obligations.
2.Time Logs
Students are required to track their hours in the field. Students must turn in an official time log totaling at least 225 hours on the last day of each semester. The time log must be signed by the student and their Agency Field Instructor. Any falsification of time logs or signatures will result in a failing grade of the Field Education course and possible expulsion from the BSW program. Failure to turn in the time log by the last day of the semester will result in a failing grade of the Field Education course.
3.Administrative Paperwork
Prior to the first day of the fall semester, students must have completed and turned in their Acknowledgment of Liability, Placement Confirmation, and Acknowledgment of Receipt of the BSW Field Manual. Students may not engage in any field education until this documentation is turned in to the Field Education Director or Faculty Field Liaison.