Department of Social Work
Bachelor of Science in Social WorkField Manual
Liberty University
Psychology Suite, DeMoss 4008
1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Christine Fulmer, MSW
Director of Social Work Department
(434) 592-7665
Raquel Ellis, MSW, PhD
Director of Social Work Field Education
(434) 592-3779
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
II. FIELD EDUCATION OVERVIEW
A. Field Education Eligibility
B. Field Experience Requirements
B.1 Junior Field Experience
B.2 Senior Field Experience
B.3 Field Experience and Seminar Course Grade
C. Field Education Enrollment Documents
C.1 Acknowledgement of Field Manual Review
C.2 Release of Student Information by the Department of Social Work
C.3 Student Resume
C.4 Criminal and Child Abuse Background Check
C.5 Professional Liability Insurance
C.6 Driver’s License and Car Insurance
D. Agency Placement Process
D.1 Field Placement Agency Options
D.2 Field Placement Agency Interviews
D.3 Suggested Agenda Items for Field Placement Agency Interviews
D.4 Agency Placement Decisions
E. Field Placement Schedules
E1. Field Days
E2. Holidays and Vacations
E3. Absences Due to Illness or other Circumstances
III. MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS, AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Mission Statement
B. Program Goals
C. Program Learning Outcomes
IV. SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
V. NACSW STATEMENT OF FAITH AND PRACTICE
VI. NASW CODE OF ETHICS
VII. CSWE EDUCATION POLICY AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
VIII. MUTUAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBLITIES
A. Liberty University
B. Director of Field Education/Field Seminar Professor
C. Students
D. Field Instructor
XI. HANDLING CHALLENGES DURING FIELD EXPERIENCE
A. Finishing Field Experience Late
B. Changing Agency Experiences
C. Addressing Grievances
D. Racial Discrimination and Harassment
E. Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Assault
F. Other Personal Safety Issues
G. Professional Competency Expectations and Restoration Process
H. Field Placement Agency Dismissal or Course Withdrawal
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Director of Field Education, Dr. Raquel Ellis, would like to thank Christine Fulmer, Director of the Social Work Department, and Zachary Grafman, the Department’sFaculty Support Coordinator, for their input and technical support in assembling this field manual.
I. INTRODUCTION
Field education is a central component of the instruction and training that students receive to prepare them for a professional career in social work. Field work offers students the opportunity to apply the theory and knowledge gained in the classroom to different practice settings. This manual provides an overview of Liberty University’s social work field education policies, procedures, and requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work (BSSW). The purpose of the manual is to orient and offer guidance to BSSW Students, Faculty, Field Instructors, and other Agency Personnel involved in social work field education as they engage in the field experience. In addition to describing the roles and responsibilities of each party involved, this manual provides an overview of the Department of Social Work’s mission statement, goals and learning outcomes, the social work competencies and practice behaviors adopted by the Department, Code of Ethics for the North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Education Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). This information offers guiding principles for social work education that support the goal of successfully preparing students for a professional career in social work.
Liberty University’s Social Work Department offers junior and senior field experience and seminar courses. In these courses, students receive supervised practice experience in an agency setting while concurrently attending a seminar class that offers the opportunity to process their field experiences and engage in further learning. The integration of classroom and field activities provides students a unique and comprehensive learning experience to support their development as professional social workers.
The Social Work Department offers field opportunities in a variety of practice settings for both residential and online students. These settings include opportunities to engage in different levels of practice from direct practice with individuals and families (micro-level), practice with neighborhoods and small groups (mezzo-level), and practice that impacts larger systems such as policy analysis, administration, and research (macro-level). Students are also offered field opportunities in a variety of geographical locations, including international settings.
Any inquiries and/or comments regarding any of the information included in this manual should be directed to Mr. Zachary Grafman, Faculty Support Coordinator for Social Work at or . Written inquiries and/or comments may also be sent by postage mail to the Department of Social Work, Psychology Suite 4008, Liberty University, 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24515.
II. FIELD EDUCATION OVERVIEW
A. Field Education Eligibility
Students must meet the following eligibility requirements prior to engaging in field work:
- Successfully pass the first of several Program Gates by receiving formal approval for admission into the BSSW Program (For details on the admission process, go to
- Be in good standing with the Department, which includes the following:
- Have a “C” or higher in all social work classes.
- Maintain satisfactory citizenship and ethical behavior.
- Consistently demonstrate the values of the profession: integrity, service, the value of human relationships, dignity and worth of a person, competence, and social justice.
- Complete allrequired prerequisite courses.
Students must complete several prerequisite courses meant to provide the foundational knowledge and theory essential for engaging in field work. Students must complete these courses with a minimum grade of “C” prior to initiating their junior field experience.As shown in the following table, both residential and online students must take PSYC 101, BIOL 102, SOCI 200, HLTH 216, GLST 220, SOWK 101, SOWK 270, SOWK 260, and SOWK 355. Residential students must also complete SOWK 120 and 150 while online students must complete SOWK 135 (a course that combines SOWK 120 and 150).
Fieldwork Prerequisites for Residential and Online Students
Prerequisites for Fieldwork / Residential Students / OnlineStudents
PSYC 101 / Required / Required
BIOL 102 / Required / Required
SOCI 200 / Required / Required
HLTH 216 / Required / Required
GLST 220 / Required / Required
SOWK 101 / Required / Required
SOWK 260 / Required / Required
SOWK 270 / Required / Required
SOWK 355 / Required / Required
SOWK 120 / Required
SOWK 150 / Required
SOWK 135 / Required
Below is an overview of the SOWK prerequisite courses. Information on the non-social work courses can be found in the course catalog online.
Introduction to Social Work (SOWK 101) is a residential and onlinecourse that gives an overview of the field of social work practice. Topics regarding the ecclesiastical beginnings of the profession, additional historical components, the integration of faith and practice, as well as social work values and ethics will be explored.
Social Work Field Exploration (SOWK 120) is a residential course that provides an overview of social work practice and settings of practice. Topics in the course are centered on social work practice in places such as child welfare, schools, domestic violence shelters, hospice, hospitals, mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, and early intervention programs. During this course, students have the opportunity to attend multiple field exploration trips to a variety of local agencies that employ social workers.
Intensive Social Work Observation (SOWK 150) is a residentialcourse that offers students the opportunity to spend a full work week observing a professional social worker in one particular setting of practice. Settings may include, but are not limited to places such as child welfare agencies, schools, domestic violence shelters, hospice facilities, hospitals, mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, and early intervention programs. The requirements of the course are typically fulfilled during the student’s spring or winter break.
Social Work Field Exploration and Observation (SOWK 135) is an online course on the study of social work practice and settings of practice. Topics in the course are centered on social work practice in places such as child welfare, schools, domestic violence shelters, hospice, hospitals mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, and early intervention programs. Participatory observation of a professional social worker for a full work week is also included in this course.
Ethics in Professional Helping (SOWK 270) is a residential and online course on the study of values and principles of ethical decision making. Topics in the course are ethical dilemmas, critical thinking, professional codes of ethics, and common morality; each topic is evaluated through a biblical worldview.
Social Work Practice with Groups (SOWK 355) is a course that provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of theories, methods and skills in relation to generalist practice with social work groups. This course also provides the forum for students to gain an understanding of cultural values of individuals and the impact of those values on the group process. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of being a culturally sensitive group leader. Please note that this course is only offered residentially.
Chemical Dependency (SOWK 260) is a residential and online course that presents an overview of the concepts associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Topics in the course are the various perspectives on treatment and prevention options; each topic is evaluated through a biblical worldview.
B. Field Experience Requirements
Field experience is a required component of the BSSW program. All residential and online students admitted to the BSSW program must complete both junior and senior field experience and seminar courses. The Social Work Department does not provide exemptions to these requirements based on previous work or life experience. Below is an overview of the Department requirements for the junior and senior field experiences.
Field Experience Course Requirements
Field Experience and Seminar Courses / Field Hours / Residential Students / OnlineStudents
SOWK 370 Junior Field Experience and Seminar Course / 100 / Required / Required
SOWK 470 Senior Field Experience and Seminar Course / 400 / Required
SOWK 475 Senior Field Experience and Seminar Course / 350 / Required
SOWK 477 Senior Field Experience and Seminar Course / 100 / Required
B.1 Junior Field Experience
Junior field experience provides residential and online students with the opportunity to perform in the role of a social work practitioner under the supervision of an experienced social worker. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 100 field hours over the course of one semester within one practice setting that employs social workers. Students complete their field experience concurrently with a field seminar course (SOWK 370). Students will meet for the field seminar course for one hour weekly to discuss the theoretical and conceptual concepts learned in the classroom with the practical experiences in field placement. The junior field experience and seminar course is only offered during the Spring semester. The hours in field seminar do not count toward the required field hours.
B.2 Senior Field Experience
Both residential and online students must satisfactorily complete the junior field experience and seminar course prior to engaging in a senior field experience.Senior field experience provides students with the opportunity to perform in the role of a social work practitioner under the supervision of an experienced master's level social worker. Students complete their field experience concurrently with a field seminar course. Students will meet for the field seminar for two hours weekly to discuss the theoretical and conceptual concepts learned in the classroom with the practical experiences in field placement. The hours in field seminar do not count toward the required field hours.Both residentialand online students are expected to complete a minimum of 400 field hours.
Residentialstudents must complete their field hour over the course of one semester within one practice setting that employs social workers.The Senior Field Experience and Seminar course (SOWK 470) is only offered during the Fall semester.
Onlinestudents are expected to complete their senior field hours over two courses.In the Senior Field Experience and Seminar A course (SOWK 475), online students will complete a minimum of 300 field hours over the course of one semester within one practice setting. Then, in the Senior Field Experience and Seminar B course (SOWK 477), students will complete a minimum of 100 field hoursover the course of another semester within one practice setting.These two courses may be taken concurrently.
B.3 Field Experience and Seminar Course Grade
For both residential and onlinestudents, junior and senior field experience and seminar courses are graded on an A to F scale. Students receive one grade for both the completion of field work and participation in the seminar. Please see the course syllabi for additional requirements for these courses.
C. Field Education Enrollment Documents
In addition to completing all prerequisite courses, residential and online students must submit several documents prior to engaging in fieldwork. These documents must be uploaded to social work field education website by the due dates set by the Department of Social Work. Students must complete and submit the Initial Field Admission Checklist Form (See field website for form.) to document theirstatus of completing prerequisitesand to ensure that all initial enrollment documents are submitted to the Department. Please see the Student Pre-Placement Checklist (See field website for form.)for details on submission due dates for field forms and additional required documents.
C.1 Acknowledgement of Field Manual Review
It is imperative that students read the entire field manual to become familiar with all policies and procedures that govern the BSSW field education program. Students must sign and submit the Acknowledgement of Field Manual Review Form (See field website for form.)as documentation that they have read and understood the contents of the manual and understand the Department’s expectation that they adhere to the policies and procedures detailed within the manual. A new version of the manual will be available at the beginning of each academic year, warranting students to sign a new form each year.
C.2 Release of Student Information by the Department of Social Work
As part of the field placement assignment process, the Field Education staff of the Social Work Department will need to share student placement materials and other relevant information with potential agencies or Field Instructors. This information could include: criminal background information that comes into the possession of the Social Work Department or its employees or contractors, student resumes, student reference letters, liability insurance information, driver’s license and car insurance information, and prior field placement evaluations (if applicable or requested). These materials are meant to facilitate the matching process which generally benefits the student and the Field Instructor.
Students must sign and submit the Release of Information Form (See field website for form.)indicating their approval to release pertinent information by the Field Education staff to prospective field agencies.
C.3 Student Resume
Students must develop and submit a professional resume to the Department of Social Work when applying for junior and senior field education. Students can find resume examples as well as information about the resume review procedures on thewebsite of the Career Center.It is a requirement for students to have their resume reviewed by Liberty University’s Career Center prior to submission to the Department. Students must submit the feedback e-mail from the Career Center to the Department.Students should be aware that the Career Center may take up to two (2) weeks to provide written feedback.
C.4 Criminal and Child Abuse Background Check
All residential and online students are required to submit to a criminal and child abuse background check to officially enroll in the BSSW program. This is a required component of the Introduction to Social Work (SOWK 101) course. The background check is also critical to the field education enrollment process. The results of the background check will be released directly to the student. Students must then provide a copy of their results to the Department of Social Work. If students completed the background check more than one calendar year from the first day of the academic semester in which they are applying for a field placement, then they must order a background re-check.
All students must also complete a Disclosure Statement Form (See field website). This form requests additional information that is important to consider when matching students to an appropriate agency for field experience. The form requests disclosure of charges or convictions of any misdemeanor or felony charge and disclosure of being named as a perpetrator of a founded report of child abuse or neglect. Answering in the affirmative will not necessarily preclude students from being able to secure a field placement but may limit the options for field placement as well as impact the ability of students to secure personal liability insurance.
The form also requests disclosure of any personal or family issues, illnesses or addictions that could impair students’ abilities to function well in a social work capacity for a particular agency or with a particular population. Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, the Director of Field Education can assist students in determining whether certain field placements would not be suitable for them. The goal of this effort is to secure field placements for students that would not compromise the well-being of the students and their potential clients.
If students fail to disclose any of the information requested, it cannot be guaranteed that they will be able to be placed in a field setting or complete the field education requirements for the BSSW degree.
C.5 Professional Liability Insurance
All residential and online students are required to have professional liability insurance while engaging in field work. Professional liability insurance provides legal defense and coverage for settlements or damages from legal action brought against students due to negligent acts, omissions, and errors while practicing at their field placement setting. Although it is not common for students to have legal action brought against them, it is still important to have this protection in place. Liberty University provides insurance coverage of a minimum of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate for residentialstudents.