Field Education Handbook
AY 2015-2016
Contents
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSEOFTHE FIELDEDUCATIONMANUAL
MISSIONOFTHEMID-TENNESSEECOLLABORATIVEMASTER OFSOCIALWORK(MTC-MSW)PROGRAM
THE MTC-MSWPROGRAM’SGOALSAND OBJECTIVES
Foundation CompetenciesandBehaviors
Concentration Competenciesand Behaviors
THE STRUCTURE OFFIELD EDUCATION INTHE MTC-MSW PROGRAM
DEFINITIONOFTERMS
MSWField Coordinator
Field Liaison
FieldAgency
FieldInstructor
TaskSupervisor
CRITERIA FOR AGENCYSELECTION
CRITERIA FOR FIELD INSTRUCTOR SELECTION
ADMISSION OF MSW STUDENTS TO FIELD PRACTICUM
EMPLOYMENT BASED FIELD PRACTICUM
EXPECTATIONS FOR FIELD PLACEMENT
Attendance
AdherencetoAgency andUniversity Policies
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
Confidentiality
Liability Insurance
Transportation
THE FIELD EDUCATION PROCESS
Application and Selection
Developing the Learning Contract
Ongoing Field Supervision
Problem Solving
Evaluation
PLACEMENT CHANGE FOR TERMINATION
APPENDIX A: SELECTED POLICIES
Academic Integrity
Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Reporting of Unofficial Withdrawals
Non-Discrimination Policy
Policy on Harassment
Access to Educational Records
APPENDIX B: FIELD EDUCATION POLICIES
Policy #2.1: Requirements forAdmissionto MSW Field
Policy #2.2: Conflicts ofInterest
Policy #2.3:Confidentiality
Policy #2.4:Professional Liability Insurance
Policy #2.5:PracticumHoursand Attendance
Policy #2.6:Employment-Based Practicum
Policy #2.7: Compliancewith FieldAgencyPolicies and Procedures
Policy #2.8: Compliancewith University Policiesand Procedures
Policy #2.9:Transportation
Policy #2.10:Change ofPlacement
Policy #2.11:Removalofa StudentfromFieldPracticum
Policy #2.12: Field Education Grading
APPENDIX C: FIELD EDUCATION FORMS
APPLICATIONFOR MID-TENNESSEE COLLABORATIVEMASTEROFSOCIALWORK(MTC-MSW)PROGRAM FIELD PLACEMENT
Mid-Tennessee Collaborative Master of Social Work (MTC-MSW) Program Generalist Foundation Field Education Learning Contract & Evaluation
Mid-Tennessee Collaborative Master of Social Work (MTC-MSW) Program Advanced Generalist Concentration Field Education Learning Contract & Evaluation
INTRODUCTION
Socialwork is a practice-basedprofession,andfieldeducation is anessentialelement ofgraduate-levelsocialworkeducation.Thefieldexperienceprovidesopportunitiesforstudents toapplythe knowledge and skills learnedin theclassroom to reallifeinteractionswithclientsaswellas to bringactualpractice examplesbackto theclassroom.Studentsareableto observethebenefitsandchallenges of workingwithinvariousorganizationalsettingswithdiverseclientpopulations. Byworkingunderthesupervisionandinstruction ofacompetentMSWpractitioner,studentsareableto acquireanddemonstratetheir own abilitytoprovide advancedgeneralist socialworkservices.Through this experience,studentsbecome socialized to theprofession andcandeepentheirunderstandingoftheprofession’svaluesandethicsaswellasitscommitment to social,economicandenvironmental justice.
Theuniversityis dependent upon communityagencies to carryout this component ofthelearningprocess.Studentsaresupervisedbya professionalsocialworker intheagency(thefieldinstructor) andbyafacultymember (fieldliaison)fromthe social workdepartment.Thisisintended to facilitatetheintegration ofclassroom learningwithagency-basedpracticeand toprovidesupport to studentsas theyengage inthis dynamicprocess.
PURPOSEOFTHE FIELDEDUCATIONMANUAL
Thismanual isdesignedtoofferstudentsinformationabout thefieldeducationcomponent oftheMid-TennesseeCollaborativeMaster ofSocialWorkProgram. Itis intended to provideanoverviewofour philosophyaboutandapproach tofieldeducation, to definethe roles of variouspeoplein students’fieldeducationexperience, and to describethe steps in the fieldeducationprocess.It alsocontainsselected universitypolicies aswellasrelevantfieldeducationpoliciesandforms. Inaddition to this manual,studentsareencouraged to reviewtheMSWStudentHandbookfor furtherinformationabout theprogramand itspolicies.
MISSIONOFTHEMID-TENNESSEECOLLABORATIVEMASTER OFSOCIALWORK(MTC-MSW)PROGRAM
Themission oftheMTC-MSWProgramis dedicated to theenhancement ofhumanwell-being,diversity,andsocialjustice throughdevelopingandimprovingsystems of public socialservices,especiallyfor childrenandfamilies,byoffering graduatetrainingin SocialWork with ahybridmodel ofdelivery.
THE MTC-MSWPROGRAM’SGOALSAND OBJECTIVES
Tofulfill itsmission,theMTC-MSWProgramhasidentifiedsixgoals:
1.Toprepare a diversestudent populationforadvancedgeneralistsocialworkpracticebased onprofessionalvaluesandethics to serveclientsystems of varioussizesandtypes.
2.Topromotethedevelopment ofsocialpoliciesandservices to reduce theimpact ofpoverty,oppressionanddiscrimination.
3.Todevelopanalyticalskillsandcriticalthinkingthatwillencourageactiveparticipationin thedevelopment,evaluation,andimprovement of socialwork knowledge andskillsthroughresearchaimedatadvancingsocialworkpractice.
4.Topromotethedevelopment ofa multipletheoreticalorientationapplicable acrosssystemsizes.
5.Toprovideanunderstandingofdiversityandculturalcompetencewithanemphasis onsocial and environmental justice,empowerment,andimprovingthe well-beingof people.
6.Tosocializestudents to theprofession of socialworkand theorganizationalenvironmentthroughevidencedbasedpractice.
Foundation CompetenciesandBehaviors
Thegoals ofthe MTC-MSWProgramaddresseducationalissuesrelated topractice,policy,research, human behavior, culturalcompetence,andprofessionaldevelopment.Consistent withtheseprogramgoals,we designedourfoundationcurriculumto supportstudents’achievement ofthe followingfoundationcompetenciesandbehaviors:
1.DemonstrateEthicalandProfessionalBehavior
a.Make ethical decisionsbyapplyingthestandardsoftheNASW Code ofEthics
b.Use reflectionandself-regulationtomanagepersonal valuesandmaintainprofessionalism.
c.Demonstrateprofessional demeanorinbehavior; appearance; andoral,written,andelectroniccommunication
d.Usetechnologyethicallyandappropriatelyto facilitatepracticeoutcomes
e.Usesupervisionandconsultationtoguide professionaljudgment andbehavior
2.Engage DiversityandDifference in Practice
a.Applyandcommunicateunderstandingofthe importance ofdiversityanddifferencein shapinglifeexperiences in practice at the micro, mezzo and macro level
b.Presentthemselvesaslearnersandengageclientsystemsasexperts of their ownexperiences
c.Applyself-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence ofpersonal biasesandvalues in workingwith diverse clients and constituencies
3.AdvanceHumanRightsandSocial, Economic and EnvironmentalJustice
a.Applyunderstandingofsocial and economic, andenvironmentaljustice toadvocatefor human rights at the individualandsystemslevels
b.Engage in practicesthatadvance social, economic andenvironmentaljustice
4.Engage in Practice-InformedResearchandResearch-InformedPractice
a.Use practice experiencesto informscientific inquiryandresearch
b.Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings
c.Use andtranslate research evidence to informandimprove practice, policyandservicedelivery
5.Engage in PolicyPractice
a.Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services
b.Assess how socialwelfare and economic policiesimpact thedeliveryof andaccess tosocialservices
c.Apply critical thinking toanalyze, formulate, and advocate for policiesthatadvance humanrightsand social,economic,andenvironmentaljustice
6.Engage withIndividuals,Families,Groups, Organizations, andCommunities
a.Applyknowledgeofhuman behavior and thesocial environment, person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies
b.Use empathy,reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectivelyengage diverse clientsandconstituencies
7.AssessIndividuals,Families,Groups,Organizations,andCommunities
a.Collectandorganize data, and apply critical thinking tointerpretinformationfrom clients and constituencies
b.Applyknowledgeofhuman behavior and thesocial environment,person-in-environment,andothermultidisciplinarytheoreticalframeworks in theanalysis of assessmentdata fromclients and constituencies
c.Develop mutuallyagreed-oninterventiongoals and objectivesbased on thecriticalassessment of strengths,needsandchallenges within clientsandconstituencies
d.Selectappropriate interventionstrategiesbasedon the assessment, researchknowledge,and values and preferences of clients and constituencies
8.Intervene withIndividuals,Families,Groups,OrganizationsandCommunities
a.Critically choose and implementinterventions to achieve practicegoalsandenhance capacitiesof clientsandconstituencies
b.Applyknowledgeofhuman behavior and thesocial environment,person-in-environment,andothermultidisciplinarytheoreticalframeworks in interventionswithclientsandconstituencies
c.Use inter-professionalcollaborationasappropriateto achieve beneficialpracticeoutcomes
d.Negotiate,mediate,andadvocate withand on behalfof clientsandconstituencies
e.Facilitate effective transitions andendingsthatadvance mutuallyagreed-ongoals
9.Evaluate practice withIndividuals,Families, Groups, Organizations,andCommunities
a.Selectand useappropriate methodsfor evaluations of outcomes
b.Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes
c.Criticallyanalyze,monitor,andevaluate interventionprocessand outcomes
d.Applyevaluationfindings to improve practiceeffectivenessat the micro, mezzoand macrolevels
Concentration Competenciesand Behaviors
TheMTC-MSWProgram’sconcentrationcurriculum builds upon foundation-levelgeneralistpracticeknowledgeandskillsandpreparesMSW studentsforadvancedgeneralistsocialworkpractice. Theconcentrationcompetenciesaddressadvancedgeneralistpracticefrom thestandpoints oftheory,research,diversity,and policywithin thepublicserviceorganizationalarena.Theconcentrationcompetenciesandbehaviorsare:
1.Demonstrate EthicalandProfessionalBehavior
a.Identifyas asocial workprofessional
b.Understandandidentifiesprofessionalstrengths,limitationandchallenges
c.Effectivelyuses reflection,self-correction, supervision andconsultation to evaluateandenhance professionalpractice
d.Applyethicaldecision makingskills to issuesspecific to advancedgeneralistpractice
2.Engage DiversityandDifference in Practice
a.Applyandcommunicatediversityand differencein advancedgeneralistpractice
b.Engage withand ensureparticipation ofdiverseand marginalizedclientsandconstituencies
c.Identifyand use practitioner,client,andconstituentdifferences from a strengthsperspective
3.AdvanceHumanRightsandSocial,Economic, and Environmental Justice
a.Use knowledge ofthe effects of oppression,discrimination,andhistoricaltrauma onclientsandconstituenciesto guide planningandintervention
b.Participate in practices that advance social, economic andenvironmental justiceinadvancedgeneralistpractice.
4.Engage in PracticeInformedResearchandResearch-InformedPractice
a.Use researchmethodologyto evaluate advancedgeneralistpracticeeffectivenessandoutcomes
b.Participate in thegeneration of new knowledge throughresearchand advancedgeneralistpractice
5.Engage in PolicyPractice
a.Advocate to stakeholdersthe implication of policiesandproposedchangeas theyaffectclientsandconstituents of advancedgeneralistpractice
b.Analyze policyas it applies to the macrocommunity,environmentaljustice,socialjustice,and diversity
c.Provide leadership in organizations andcommunitiesfor effective,ethicalinterventionsthatimprove the well-beingof individuals,families,organizations,andcommunities
6.Engage withIndividuals,Families,Groups, Organizations, andCommunities
a.Develop aculturallyresponsive relationshipwhile engagingclientsand constituents
b.Demonstrate advanced practiceengagementwith an increasedawareness ofsocialjustice,environmentaljustice,diversity,and public service to clientsandconstituents
7.AssessIndividuals,Families,Groups,Organizations,andCommunities
a.Identifytheoreticalframeworksforassessmentandplanningin advanced practice
b.Establish a relationallybased processthatencouragesclientsand constituents to beequalparticipants in theestablishment of goals and outcomes.Develop mutuallyagreed upongoalsandobjectivesandselectevidence basedinterventions withclientsandconstituents
c.Performadvancedgeneralist practice assessmentwithanincreasedawareness ofculture, context, socialjustice,environmentaljustice,diversity,and public serviceto clientsandconstituents
d.Selectappropriate interventionstrategiesbasedoncontinuousassessment of clientsandconstituents
8.Intervene withIndividuals,Families,Groups,OrganizationsandCommunities
a.Criticallyevaluate, select, and applybestpracticesandevidence-basedinterventions
b.Modifyappropriate intervention strategiesbasedon continuousassessment ofclientsandconstituents
c.Collaborate withother professionals to coordinateinterventions
9.Evaluate Practice withIndividuals,Families, Groups, Organizations,andCommunities
a.Evaluate the processandoutcomes to developbestpractice interventions for clientsandconstituents
b.Contribute to the theoretical knowledge base of the social work profession through practice-based research
THE STRUCTURE OFFIELD EDUCATION INTHE MTC-MSW PROGRAM
StudentswhoentertheMTC-MSWProgramwithoutadvancedstandingcomplete two,distinctfieldplacements: a 6-credit,400-hourfoundationplacementandan8-credit,500-hourconcentrationplacement. Thosewhocomeintothe programwithadvancedstandingcomplete asingle,8-credit,500-hourconcentrationfieldplacement.
Thefoundationplacement exposes students to theknowledge andskillsneeded to engageingeneralist socialworkpractice.Duringthe concentrationplacement,advancedgeneralist practice,knowledge andskillsaredeveloped,andstudentsacquirethe abilityto respondwith greaterautonomyto increasinglycomplexpracticesituationsinvolvingdiverseclientssystems of varioussizes. Diversity,populationsatrisk ofdiscriminationandoppression,andsocialand economicjusticearestressed in both foundationandconcentrationplacements.Each field placementalsoallowsstudents to deepentheir understandingof professionalvaluesandethics.
Finally,studentsareencouraged in their fieldexperiences to use evidence,bothfromtheliteratureandfromtheir ownpracticeevaluations,toinformtheirworkwithclientsandconstituencies.
AllfieldplacementsbeginJanuary. Studentshavetheoption of completingtheir fieldeducationcreditsas asingleblockplacementduringthe SpringSemester ordividing the placementbetweenthe SpringandSummerSemesters. Tocomplete the foundationplacement in a singleSpringSemesterrequiresstudents to devoteabout 27 hours/week; ifperformedduringthe SpringandSummerSemesters,studentsspendapproximately16 hours/weekat theirplacement.Fortheconcentrationplacement,studentsspendabout 33hours/weekattheir placement in orderto finishit in asingle,SpringSemester; to completethe concentrationplacementduringthe SpringandSummerSemestersrequiresstudents to beattheirplacementapproximately20 hours/week.(Policy# 2.5)
DEFINITIONOFTERMS
MSWField Coordinator
Ateachcampus, afacultymemberhasbeenidentifiedashavingresponsibilityfor theoveralloperations ofthe MSWfieldeducationcomponent.Thisperson,knownastheMSWFieldCoordinator,works to ensurethat:high-qualityfoundation andconcentrationfield agencyplacementsareavailable,agency-basedfieldinstructorsareoriented totheirresponsibilities,studentsareprepared toenterfieldandarematchedappropriatelywith a fieldagency,fieldeducationpoliciesand proceduresarecarried out, andfeedbackis regularlyobtained so as tostrengthenthefieldcomponentaswellastheMTC-MSWProgramas a whole.
Field Liaison
Sometimescalled thefacultyfieldliaison,thefieldliaison is a facultymemberwhoprovideslinkage between theuniversity, the student,andthe fieldagency. Fieldliaisonshave primaryresponsibilityforcoordinatingMSWstudents’assignmentsandactivitiesduringthefield practicum. Theyare ableto utilizetheirprofessionalexperiences inthe field to assiststudentsin integratingtheorywithpractice,therebyenhancingagency-basedinstruction. Theyworkinpartnershipwithstudentsandtheiragency-basedfieldinstructors to ensure thatlearningactivitiesbuild on students’strengthsandallowthem to progressivelydevelop thecompetenciesof anadvancedgeneralist socialworker.Fieldliaisons monitorandevaluatestudents’performancein thefield,engagein problem-solvingshould issuesarisein the placement,andultimatelyassignstudents’ gradesforthesemester.
FieldAgency
Agenciesat which MSW fieldplacementsareperformedareknownasfieldagenciesorfieldplacementagencies.Fieldagenciesarepublic,privatenonprofit, orprivate for-profitorganizationsthat meetthe selectioncriteriadescribedin the nextsection.Fieldagenciesarecarefullyscreened to ensure that theycanprovidea richvarietyof learningexperiencesforMSWstudentscompletingfoundationgeneralistor advancedgeneralistfieldeducation.
FieldInstructor
Theindividualwhoprovidessupervisionandinstructionfor astudent’sfieldplacement is termedthefieldinstructor. Inmostcases, the fieldinstructor is anagencyemployee whoworks intheprogram or unit to which the studentisassigned;however, the roleoccasionallyis assumedbysomeonewhomaynot beat theplacementsite (see discussionin the nextsection).
Theresponsibilitiesand duties offieldinstructorsarevariedandextensive.Fieldinstructorsmeetwithprospectivestudents to discusswhatapracticumat the agencywould entailandtoassessstudents’ appropriatenessfor thesetting; subsequently,theycomplete apost-interviewevaluationform thatprovidesfeedbackforplacementdecisions. Theyorient students to theagency,acquaintingstudentswiththeagency’spolicies,procedures,andservicedeliverystrategiesaswellaswithotherrelevantorganizations in theagency’senvironment. Theyconsultwithstudentsin thedevelopment ofalearningcontract;structureand supervisestudents’learningexperiences;give feedback tostudents ontheirperformance;and,ultimately,participatein theevaluation ofstudents’ fieldeducationlearning.Fieldinstructorsengagein problem-solvingwithstudentsandfieldliaisons ifproblemsarise in thefieldsettingandcommunicatewith theMSWfieldcoordinatorregardinganyagencychangesthatmayimpact theplacement.
Ofmost importance,fieldinstructorsserveasprofessionalrolemodels.Theyreflectandmodelprofessional socialworkvalues,skills, andbehavior.Studentsarekeenlyaware ofhowtheirfieldinstructorinteractswithclients,co-workers,andothercommunitycontacts. Fieldinstructorscanhelpstudents to understanddifferentcommunicationstylesand contexts, agencypolitics,and howto balance reallifedynamicswith text-book ideals
TaskSupervisor
Occasionally,theprofessionalatthefieldagencytowhomaMSWstudentdirectlyreportsdoesnotmeettherequirementstobeappointedasafieldinstructor.Thisindividual,whoprovidesastudent’sday-to-daysupervision,istermedatasksupervisor.Thetasksupervisordoesnotreplacethefieldinstructor,butinsteadworkswiththefieldinstructorandthefieldliaisontodevelop,implement,andmonitor the student’slearningtasks.
CRITERIA FOR AGENCYSELECTION
Fieldagenciesprovidestudents theopportunitytoengagein supervisedexperiential learning–that is, to applywhat theyhave learnedin the classroom to actualsituations facedbyclientsystems ofall sizesandtobringtheirpracticeexperiencesback to the classroom.Thelearningactivitiescreatedin fieldagenciesencourage students to deepentheirunderstandingoftheprofession’svaluesandethics,commitment to populationsat-riskandsocial andeconomicjustice,andemphasis on issues ofdiversityandculturalcompetence.Students, inturn,providefieldagencies the opportunityto bringnew ideasandinsights toservicedelivery.
Contactregardingafieldinternshipcan beinitiatedbytheuniversityortheagency.Theaffiliationprocessbeginswith aphone conversationbetween the agencyand theMSWfieldcoordinator todetermine iftheagencymeets the criteriabelow. Ifappropriate asa fieldsite,anagencyapplicationform is sentand avisit totheagencymaybe scheduled.TheMSWfieldcoordinator reviews theapplication; ifapproved,anAffiliationAgreement issignedbyauthorizedrepresentatives ofthe agencyand theuniversity. Tobecomeaffiliatedwith theMTC-MSWProgram,agenciesmustmeetthe followingcriteria:
1.Anagency’s philosophyof serviceshould be compatible with thephilosophy,valuesandethics ofthesocialworkprofession. Theprimarypurposeoftheorganization(orprogram)must beto addresshumanneeds.
2.Servicesprovidedbytheagencymust be appropriate forgraduate socialworkpractice,the learningopportunities must besuitabletofoundationgeneralistand/or advancedgeneralist practice,andtheremust beasufficientcaseload ofclients(andwork)forstudents to gain “handson” experience. Placements must be in-person with clients or constituents to allow for direct practice experiences.
3.Theremust be appropriate supervisionavailable.Thus,there should be atleast one staffmember with a MSWand 2years’experience whocanserve asthe student’sfieldinstructor.Preferenceisfor fieldinstructorswhoarelicensed forsocialworkpractice inTennessee.(See below for exceptions to thisrequirement.)
4.Agenciesmustsupportthe fieldeducationprocessbyprovidingrelease timeforfieldinstructorsto carryout their fieldinstructionresponsibilitiesandto attendfield-relatedmeetings.
5.Agencies must provide students with adequate work space and office supplies, access to a telephone, computer and other resources needed to carry out their learning tasks, and access to clients and agency records appropriate for the learning experience. When travel is required by the agency, students should have access to transportation and/or travel reimbursement as well as information regarding transportation policies and liability coverage.
6.Agencies must provide an agency orientation and review safety procedures and guidelines of the organization with the individual student at the start of the practicum.
7.Agencies should not engage in discriminatory practices in the hiring of personnel, the acceptance of students, or the provision of services to clientele.
8.Agenciesmustagreeto participatein variousprocesses ofthe fieldprogram,includingfieldorientation,periodicfieldagencyupdates,and interviewswithprospectivefieldstudents,andcommunicationwithfacultyservingasfieldliaisonsaswellasothersrepresentingtheuniversity.
9.Agenciesmustagreeto abide bythe policiesandprocedures ofthe universitywithwhichit is partnering.
10.Agenciesmustagreeto inform the MSWfieldcoordinatorassoonaspossible regardingstaffororganizationalchangesthataffect the fieldplacement.
11.Agenciesmust be willingto work in partnershipwith the facultyservingasfieldliaisons,aswellasothersrepresentingtheuniversity, to maximizethefieldeducationofsocialwork studentsand,asnecessary, to engagein creativeproblem-solvingtoresolveproblemsarisingin thefieldplacement.
Theremaybeunique situationswhen agencies do not havea MSWavailableto providedirectfieldinstruction,although theagency’s philosophyis consistentwiththatofthesocialworkprofession, its servicesaddresshumanneeds,itofferslearningopportunitiesappropriateto thedevelopment offoundationgeneralistand/oradvancedgeneralistknowledge andskills,and it hasstaffcapableofofferingday-to-daytasksupervision.Insuchinstances,aqualifiedfieldinstructor fromanotherprogramwithin theagency,another agency, or fromtheDepartment ofSocial Work will beassigned.The assignedfieldinstructorwillworkcollaborativelywith theday-to-daytasksupervisor and thestudent to ensure theappropriateness of learningassignments,guidestudentactivities,andevaluatestudent performance. Theassigned fieldinstructorwill helpthestudentintegratea socialworkperspective into thefieldlearningexperience.
CRITERIA FOR FIELD INSTRUCTOR SELECTION
Fieldinstructorsplayoneofthemost criticalrolesin theeducational process of MSWstudents.Theyengage in the dualrole ofagencypractitionerand socialworkeducator.Becausetheprimarygoal of fieldinstruction is socialworkeducation,ratherthanagencyservice, theteachingrole ofthefieldinstructoris critical. Conversely, theprimarytaskofthe fieldstudent isthat oflearningratherthanservingagencypersonnelneeds. In order to be approved as a field instructor, an agency employee should meet the following criteria:
- A MSW degree from an accredited social work program
- At least two years professional social work employment experience, including at least six months employment at the field agency.
- Ability to supervise and instruct MSW students, including sensitivity to how differences in learning styles and diverse cultural backgrounds can impact students’ learning and to give adequate time for supervision.
- Acceptance of the MTC-MSW program’s advanced generalist social work educational model.
- Willingness to engage in problem-solving with students and field liaisons to address issues that arise during the field placement.
- Commitment to work cooperatively with the MSW field coordinator and the field liaison to ensure a successful placement experience.
- Demonstrated professional social work values, knowledge, skills and behaviors in relation to clients, agency co-workers, social work interns, and other community and professional constituencies.
Fieldinstructorsare expected to attend a fieldorientationaswellasothertrainingsessionsthatmaybe providedduringthe academicyear. Inaddition, input andparticipationfromfieldinstructorsis appreciatedin orderto continueto upgrade andenhancethe fieldprogram, theMSWcurriculum,andthe entireMTC-MSWProgram.
Thereis no monetarycompensationforservingasa fieldinstructorfortheMTC-MSWProgram.However,each oftheparticipatingsocialworkprogramsofferscontinuingeducationcreditforparticipation in thefieldinstructortrainingandmayalsoprovide access tootheruniversityresources.
ADMISSION OF MSW STUDENTS TO FIELD PRACTICUM
To beacceptedforfoundation fieldeducation(SW6130/6140),MSWstudents mustcompletethe four Fall Semesterfoundationscourses:
Practice I(SW6000)HBSE (SW6010)
ResearchI(SW6020)
Social WelfarePolicyand Services(SW6030)
Theyalso must achieveanoverallGPA of3.0 orhigherin theirsocialworkcourses. Inaddition,students must attend ageneralfieldintroductorysession, aswellasanyother requiredfieldeducationmeetings;complete andsubmitallrequired paperwork inatimelyfashion;andmeetwith theMSWfieldcoordinator,asrequired.(SeePolicy#2.1)
AdvancedPractice withIndividuals(SW6200)
AdvancedPractice withFamilies(SW6210) ORAdvancedGroupPractice (SW6220)AdvancedMacroPractice (SW6230)
Social PolicyAnalysis(SW6240)
Theyalso must achieve anoverallGPA of3.0 orhigherin theirsocialworkcourses.Inaddition,students must attend ageneralfieldintroductorysession aswellasanyother requiredfieldeducationmeetings;complete andsubmitallrequired paperwork inatimelyfashion;and meetwith theMSWfieldcoordinator,asrequired.(See Policy #2.1)
EMPLOYMENT BASED FIELD PRACTICUM
Asdiscussed inmoredetail in Policy#2.6, MSWstudentswhoareworkingin socialserviceagenciesmaybe interested in doinga fieldpracticumattheirplace ofemployment. AnemploymentsettingcanofferaMSWstudentanattractivefieldeducationopportunityfor afoundationand/or aconcentrationplacement.However,because fieldeducation is focused oneducatingstudentsforadvancedgeneralist socialwork practice, thefollowingcriteriahave beenestablished to ensurethatanemployment-basedfieldpracticumprovidesappropriatelearningopportunities:
1.Thefieldpracticummustbeanentirelydifferentexperiencethan theone wherethestudent isworkingoris employed.
2.Assignmentsdevelopedfor thepracticummust beeducationallyfocusedand must beclearlydelineatedfromworkassignments.
3.Thestudent'sworksupervisor should not serveas the fieldinstructor.
4.Thepersonsupervisingthe studentcannot beenrolled in theMTC-MSWProgram.
5.Theagencymust meetthe samecriteriaasother fieldpracticumagencies,asspecifiedinthe FieldEducationManual.
6.Thepersondesignatedasthe fieldinstructor mustmeetthe same criteriaasother fieldinstructors,asspecified inthe FieldEducationManual.
7.Thestudentmust fill outthe FieldEducationApplicationforanemployment-basedplacementrequest.
8.Thefieldcoordinator maymake an agencyvisit.
TheMSWfieldcoordinatorwillreviewa student’srequestandwillworkwith thestudenttodetermineifthe agencyhas appropriatelearningtasksandsupervisionavailable.TheMSW fieldcoordinatoralsomaycontact theemployingagencyto discuss therequirementsforafieldeducationplacementandwork out the detailsfor establishinga placement. TheMSWfieldcoordinator mustapproveanemployment-basedpracticum requestbefore astudentcanbegin thefieldplacement.
Attimes,students maywish to do both placementsattheirplaceof employment. Asecond,employment-basedplacementmaybe approved iftheemployingagencyislarge enough to beableto providethestudentwith anewlearningexperiencethat isdistinctfromwhatthestudentdoesforhis orheremploymentandfromwhat heorshedid forthe firstfieldplacement. The MSW field coordinator will make this determination after talking with the student and/or agency personnel.
EXPECTATIONS FOR FIELD PLACEMENT
Attendance
AllMSWstudentsmustobserve agencywork hours and notifythe fieldinstructor ofanyunavoidableabsences orlateness in advanceifpossible.Studentsmustmakeup timeforbeinglateand/or absent. Theyare responsibleforcompletingtherequirednumber offieldhours.
AdherencetoAgency andUniversity Policies
Studentsareexpected tocomplywithagencyanduniversitypoliciesduringtheir fieldplacements.Studentsrepresenttheir practicumagencies, theMTC-MSW Program,andtheirhomeuniversityin their contactswithclients,otheragencies,and thegeneralpublic. Theytherefore areexpected to present themselves in aprofessionalmanner and to demonstratebehaviorthat is consistentwith agencyrequirements, universitystandards,and the NASWCodeofEthics( #2.72.8)
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
MSWstudentsshouldtake appropriatesteps to avoidconflicts ofinterestthatcouldarisein theselection ofa fieldplacement or duringthe course ofaplacement.MSWstudentsshouldinformtheMSWfieldcoordinatorofanyactual or potentialconflicts ofinterestthatcouldinfluencethefieldplacementselectionprocess.Once in a placement,students should immediatelyinform thefieldinstructor whenareal orpotentialconflict ofinterestarisesandtake action to resolve thematter expeditiouslyin awaythataffordsmaximumprotection to clients’interests.(Policy#2.2)
Confidentiality
MSWstudentsareexpected to maintain the confidentialityof informationobtained duringtheirpracticumexperiences and to behavein waysconsistent with theNASWCode ofEthics(
Liability Insurance
Although the risk is relativelysmall, the MTC-MSWProgramrequiresthatallstudents inplacementobtainprofessionalliabilityinsurance. Insome cases,agenciesmaybe able toincludestudents,especiallystudents whoaretheiremployees,undertheagencies’ "blanketpolicy." However,neithertheMTC-MSWProgramnorthethree hostcampuses are ableto coverthe costsofstudentsobtainingsuchcoverage.Studentsare encouraged to checkwiththeirinsurance providersaswellaswithNASW( forinformationabouttheavailabilityandcosts of suchcoverage.
Within two weeks of beginning a practicum students must submit documentation of the liability insurance acquired to the MSW field coordinator.(Policy #2.4).
Transportation
NeithertheMTC-MSWProgramnorthe three host campuses is ableto cover students’placement-relatedtransportationcosts orprovidevehiclesforstudents’ use.Allcostsincurredtravelingtoandfromthefieldplacementagency,includingbut not limitedtogas, parking,andtolls, aretheresponsibilityofthe student. Ifanagencyvehicleis not available,students maybeaskedto use their ownvehiclesforagencybusiness, includingclienttransport.Inthesesituations,studentsshouldtalkwiththeir fieldinstructorsaboutagencypolicyandproceduresforreimbursement of expenses. Studentsalsoneed to talkwiththeirfieldinstructorsandtheirinsurance agents about thetypeof automobileinsurance required,especiallyiftheyaretotransportclients intheirownvehicles.Itis students’ responsibilitytoensure thattheseissuesareresolved beforetheytransport anyclients. (Policy#2.9)
THE FIELD EDUCATION PROCESS
Application and Selection