Online Field Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the Department’s education and experience requirements for Field Instructors of Bachelor-level onlinestudents?
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 online students expected to complete?
For the Junior Field Experience and Seminar course, 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.
Online students are expected to complete their senior field hours over two courses. In the Senior Field Experience and Seminar A course, 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, students will complete a minimum of 100 field hours over the course of another semester within one practice setting. It is possible to take both A and B at the same time.
Students also concurrently participate in weekly, online field seminar sessions. Each week, students will meet all together online with their Faculty Field Liaison (Field Seminar Instructor) for the seminar portion of the course at a designated day and time.This course offers the opportunity for students to process their field experiences and engage in further learning as a group.
3. What does thestudent interview process entail?
Students must take the initiative to identify a potential agency (as well as a field instructor) that that meets the Department’s requirements to serve as a field placement. It is highly recommended that students interview with at least two agencies in case the student’s first choice agency does not ultimately work out.
4. What types of supports and training are provided to Field Instructors?
The Department provides an online training for Field Instructors and students at the beginning of each semester. The Faculty Field Liaison (Field Seminar Instructor) is also available for consultation throughout the semester. Additionally, the Faculty Field Liaison is available to convene a conference call with the student and Field Instructor if necessary. The Department also disseminates relevant articles and materials to Field Instructors to facilitate continued education.
5. What types of coursework do onlinestudents need to complete prior tofieldwork?
Prior to engaging in fieldwork, students must complete several courses including five social work courses: an Introduction to Social Workcourse, Ethics in Professional Helping,and Chemical Dependency, Social Work Practice with Groups, and a course that exposes students to different settings of practice and offers students the opportunity to spend a full work week observing a professional social worker in one particular setting of practice. Students must also complete a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer work at a social service agency.
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. My agency meets the requirements to serve as a field placement but we do not have a degreed social worker on staff. Could we still serve as a field placement?
Yes. Your agency is still eligible as long as a current staff member can serve as an Agency Field Coordinator. This staff member will help conduct student orientations and in-service trainings, verify and sign student timesheets, and coordinate field assignments and activities.
8. What types of tasks can a BSW intern do?
BSW students 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).
9. What if I have further questions? Who do I contact if I am interested in becoming a field instructor?
The Field Coordinator, Jessica Schneider, would be more than happy to talk with you. She may be reached at or 434-592-XXXX[ER(WP1].
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[ER(WP1]Jessica, add your phone #