Field Educator Resources

All bachelor's students and Non-Advanced and Advanced Standing masters students are required to participate in a field placement their final semester and must be declared academically eligible by completing all coursework and attaining a minimum 3.0-grade point average in their social work courses. Students are interviewed individually by field faculty from one to two semesters before entering the field, and careful efforts are made to match students with agencies based on the student’s area of concentration, quality and availability of MSW supervision, learning needs of the student, learning experiences of the agency, etc. Efforts are made to only utilize high-quality placements that provide a broad range of learning experiences in an agency environment that meets the standards of the social work profession. The strength of the practicum lies in the partnership established between the college and the field agency, and students are only placed in agencies in which this partnership has been formalized through the signing of an affiliation agreement by the dean of the college and the agency director.

Standards for Agencies

The following criteria have been established as necessary conditions for agencies to meet to be a field placement site for students. The agency must agree to:

1. Provide opportunities for students of the college in accordance with the cooperative planning by the faculty of the college and the agency staff. This should include individual, family, and group experiences.
2. Meet the expectations of the program in the provision of diligent supervision for students with a qualified field educator who is an MSW with at least two years of post-graduate experience in the field.
3. Assist in the orientation of the students to the agency policies and procedures and provide access to equipment and records as necessary for teaching purposes.
4. Provide workspace for the students to the extent feasible through mutual planning and learning materials appropriate to the student’s responsibilities during the period of placement.
5. Assist in the evaluation of students’ learning and performance.
6. Provide students with experiences and supervision that meet the ethical standards of the profession and inform them of the ethical and legal requirements regarding the confidentiality of communications and records with regard to the agency’s clients.
   Make provision for the orientation of students and faculty members of the school to the facilities, philosophies, policies, and programs of the agency.
7. Provide an interdisciplinary team experience, if possible.
8. Allow the student to participate in social histories, progress notes, treatment plans, and other appropriate documentation.
9. Assignments for students will be planned by the faculty of the college in cooperation with the supervisory staff at the agency.
10. Faculty, supervisory staff, and students will work together to maintain an environment that provides quality patient care and student learning.
11. Arrange for agency field supervisors and field students to meet with representatives of the school at least once during the term of the placement for a joint review of the student’s progress. These individuals will communicate more often as needed.
12. Refrain from discriminating in the assignment of social work students to the internship program because of race, color, creed, national origin, disability, or gender.

Field Educator Standards and Activities

It is an expectation of the college that field educators will have the following necessary qualifications: an earned MSW from an accredited College of Social Work, two years of post-master work experience in an agency setting, and an interest in students and willingness to accept the role of field educator. If a qualified MSW is unavailable, undergraduate field students can be supervised by a BSW field educator with extensive practice experience. Field educators are expected to be competent and ethical social work practitioners in one or more areas of service and to be willing to work within the program’s philosophy of social work education and general field learning objectives.

Students are expected to meet with their MSW field educator for a minimum of one hour of supervision each week. Part-time students are expected to meet with their MSW field educator for a minimum of one hour of supervision biweekly. In agencies where there is no MSW field educator on-site, the agency is expected to provide an external off-site MSW to supervise master's students. The agency then agrees to identify a task supervisor qualified to provide on-site guidance regarding appropriate assignments and agency policies and procedures. The task supervisor maintains close contact with the field educator and actively participates in the evaluation process. The roles and responsibilities of these supervisors are detailed in the Field Reference Manual, pp. 50-52.

In general, the field educator’s responsibilities include coordinating with the Office of Field Education to provide a field experience that augments and compliments classroom learning; orienting the student to agency policies, procedures, and population served; coordinating involvement with other staff members; scheduling weekly supervisory conferences; and assisting the student in developing professional work habits. In order to assist the student in the development of professional skills, knowledge and values, the field educator maintains an ongoing evaluation of the student’s progress, prepares a written evaluation of the student’s performance at the mid-term and at the end of the field practicum; and communicates regular feedback to the student about his/her performance. The field educator is also expected to keep the faculty liaison informed about the student’s progress and advise the liaison of concerns after having first discussed them with the student. In addition, the field educator provides feedback to the Field Program about various programmatic issues involving curriculum, placement content and expectations, and field policies and procedures.

Student Learning Expectations and Responsibilities

The Office of Field Education encourages all students entering the field to identify their individual learning needs and assume responsibility for shaping their educational process. Before beginning the field practicum, students are required to attend a Field Planning Meeting in which the expectations and responsibilities of the field program are communicated, both verbally and in written handouts. The content of the planning meeting includes field policies and procedures, the field application and interview process, deadline dates, expectations regarding supervision, the integrative seminar, field agency requirements, the role of the liaison and the MSW field educator, field placement objectives, the Educational Plan, termination policies, sexual harassment and safety issues, liability insurance information, and the field evaluation process.

Students are also given information on preferred placement content based on the learning objectives of their concentration. The following content areas are communicated to both students and field educators as minimum expectations when structuring the internship experience:

1. Provision of a comprehensive orientation of the student to the agency staff, client systems, agency policies and procedures, safety concerns, supervision expectations and requirements, casework requirements, legal and ethical requirements, etc.
2. Substantial amount of client contact, approximately 50% of the time at the internship, involved direct work with clients. The student is expected to eventually begin carrying a small caseload of his/her own.
3. Exposure to one or more theoretical practice frameworks (with individuals, couples, families, or groups), either directly or through observation.
4. Experience with case management and networking responsibilities.
5. Experience with case recording and developing intervention plans.
6. Completion of a bio-psychosocial assessment, process recordings, and/or video or audio recordings with feedback from the field educator.
7. Exposure to agency administrative meetings, policies and procedures, and case staffing.
8. Exposure to inter-agency meetings or staffings.
9. Exposure to a diverse client population.
10. Exposure to advocacy experiences on a macro level, if possible.
11. Completion of an educational plan outlining specific learning objectives and activities consistent with the objectives of the student’s concentration.
12. Provide open communication with the field educator and faculty liaison regarding the quality of field experiences and learning needs, in addition to areas of concern.
13. Opportunity to participate in an agency-based research project, if possible.

To ensure that all students in field placements receive educationally focused practice experience embodying social work knowledge, values, and skills, each agency should provide an MSW field educator with two or more years of practical experience to coordinate, direct and supervise students’ fieldwork. Field educators are never to view their role only as ‘signing off’ on students’ activities.

The College of Social Work prefers but does not require field educators to be MSW employees in the same agency and program in which students are being trained. All field educators, whether employed in another part of the agency or in a different agency, will meet the expectations outlined below.

Although most agencies assign MSW employees to work one-on-one with interns, there are a variety of alternatives. Experienced MSWs may coordinate internships (and meet with students at least one hour a week for full-time internships or at least one hour biweekly for part-time internships), while agency supervisors without an MSW can provide daily task supervision. Group supervision is another alternative.

Role of the MSW Field Educator

The MSW Field Educator will:

• Supervise interns in their fieldwork, overseeing the entire range of field experience.
• Ensure interns’ activities are meeting field education objectives.
• Within the first two to three weeks of the internship, develop and sign the intern’s educational contract and make ongoing revisions as necessary.
• Maintain regular contact with the intern and other agency supervisors involved in the internship.
• Formally meet with the intern at least one hour a week (or one hour biweekly for part-time internships) for direct supervision.
• The formal meeting will entail:
  • Requiring interns to prepare an agenda for the conferences.
  • Giving interns feedback on their performance in various ways (e.g., process recording, videotaping, audio taping, joint interviews, etc.).
  • Focusing on interns’ skill development.
  • Keeping notes of observations and interactions with the intern.
  • Case reviews.
  • Analysis of programs or policies.
  • The impact of gender or ethnicity on practice and policy.
  • The NASW Code of Ethics.
  • Theoretical analysis of social work interventions.
  • Evaluation of field educators’ own supervisory practices.
  • Evaluating the interns’ strengths and weaknesses.
  • Issues include assertiveness, use of humor, rescuing, handling aggressive clients, coping with stress, etc.
• Complete the interns’ midterm and final performance evaluations, returning them to the college by the posted deadline dates.
• Become familiar with the College’s Office of Field Education Policies and Procedures.
• Meet with the college’s faculty liaison at least once each semester during the interns’ internship.
• Notify the field faculty liaison when problems arise.

Role of the Task Supervisor

Some agencies assign other human service providers or administrators to be an intern’s task supervisor. In these cases, interns still must meet with MSW field educators at least one hour a week for a full-time internship (or one hour every other week for a part-time internship) for supervision and integration of classroom theory and learning with practice experience.

Task supervisors maybe with specific, time-limited tasks or on a daily basis, directing day-to-day activities, teaching and guiding them in their assignments, and giving them feedback on their performance.

Basic expectations of all task supervisors include:

• Participating in planning the internship.
• Reviewing and signing the student’s educational plan, making revisions as needed.
• Providing primary, direct supervision of the interns’ daily activities.
• Assigning cases and projects congruent with students’ educational goals.
• Orienting students to the agency and their assignments.
• Giving on-the-spot positive and constructive feedback to students regarding their performance.
• Focusing on the student’s skill development.
• Keeping notes of supervisory contact.
• Consult with the MSW field educator about the interns’ skill areas that need extra attention.
• Preparing or helping in the preparation of the midterm and final evaluations of the interns’ performance.
• Being familiar with the Office of Field Education Policies and Procedures.
• Meeting with the MSW field educator and the college's field faculty liaison at least once each semester during the student’s internship to address progress being made.
• Notifying field educators and field faculty liaisons when problems arise.

Students should be given a comprehensive orientation to the placement and to the agency as well immediately upon their arrival. Supervisors should plan to greet the students on the first day of their internship and introduce them to as many of the staff as possible. It is preferable for the supervisor to inform appropriate personnel in advance of the student’s placement and advise them of ways the staff can participate in the student’s learning experience.

It is also important for students to have a work area that allows them to feel like a professional and an integral part of the agency structure. A desk, access to a telephone, and appropriate work supplies should be provided for the student before they begin the placement.

It is also recommended that the following items and procedures be provided in the orientation material in writing to all students by the agency and/or supervisor.

Orientation Content

1. A written orientation schedule outlining dates and times of agency orientation, in addition to content to be covered.
2. Written expectations concerning dress requirements, leave time and holidays, attendance requirements, etc.
3. Specific agency information concerning administrative structure, including names and titles of administrative staff, financial structure, pertinent policies and procedures, etc.
4. Information concerning insurance requirements by agency and insurance coverage provided (i.e., professional liability, workman’s compensation, automobile insurance if clients are to be transported by student).
5. Specific agency recording requirements. Provide copies of all forms in addition to outlines for intake, psychosocial assessments, transfer forms, social history and diagnostic summaries, and all other required reports.
6. Written statement of how the student is to identify self in (1) written recording in agency records; (2) written reports, correspondence, and other written material; and (3) oral contacts with clients, families, and others.
7. Confidentiality requirements of the agency and the profession. Provide written information on agency’s informed consent form and its use; information on privileged communication if it applies, information on what can and cannot be released without client’s consent; explanation of what to do if subpoenaed, etc.
8. Written procedures for handling client emergencies (i.e., suicidal or homicidal threats, issue of duty to warn, etc.).
9. Copy of agency personnel manual, including written procedures concerning student responsibilities, etc.
10. A written description of agency security precautions and safety procedures.
11. Expectations concerning supervision responsibilities, supervisory conference times, style and content of supervision provided, and other pertinent supervision issues.
12. NASW Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

CEU Eligibility

Contact hours can only be awarded to licensed clinical social workers who have completed the field education training and supervise clinical students in their final field placements (SOW 5535). The field educator must have met with the student a minimum of 1 hour per week throughout the entire placement (or 1 hour biweekly for part-time students). The field educator must request contact hours by signing the final clinical evaluation, listing the license number, and returning it to the student for submission. Only 15 contact hours can be applied toward licensure maintenance requirements per 2-year renewal period. Out-of-state educators, please check with your local jurisdiction, as we cannot guarantee that the Florida CEUs are applicable in all states. (Provider # FL-50-4971).

CEU Process

To comply with Rule 64B4-6.004(4), F.A.C. from the Board of Clinical Social Work, we require all field educators to complete and return a questionnaire. The questionnaire is emailed upon the request for CEUs.

Your candid and thoughtful reply will not only satisfy state requirements but also aid us in serving you better. Your response and any comments will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Please return the completed questionnaire to the Office of Field Education. Upon receipt ,we will begin the CEU credit process.

Certificate of Participation for Field Educators

In recognition of the service given by field educators to students enrolled in field education under their supervision, the College of Social Work is authorized to issue a Certificate of Participation [PDF] by the State University System of Florida. These Certificates of Participation entitle field educators to register for university classes for a significantly reduced fee. The following regulations apply to earning and using these certificates.

Criteria for Earning Certificates

Certificates are provided to those who act as “field educators” for university students engaged in internships. This supervision must total more than 300 hours of supervised field experience, according to university regulations. For part-time internships (12-16 hours a week, over more than one semester), the field educator would earn a certificate when the student completes the internship. Field educators can only earn one certificate per semester of supervision, regardless of how many students are supervised. Students must have completed a minimum of 300 hours at the internship for a field educator to qualify for a certificate.

Only Florida residents are eligible, as stated in the FSU Bulletin under “Residency Requirements for Tuition Purposes.” If supervision is provided while the field educator is an out-of-state resident, they may earn the certificate but may not be awarded the certificate until 12 months of Florida residency is completed.

Only one certificate is issued for the supervision of each officially registered student. The MSW field educator has the first priority of the certificate as the primary field educator. If this individual does not wish to request the certificate, she or he may offer the form requesting the certificate to a task supervisor. The task supervisor, however, must (1) have actively participated in the entirety of the student’s supervision and (2) have contributed to the student’s evaluations as indicated by their signature on the evaluation forms.

Guidelines for Using the Certificates

The certificate entitles the holder to register at any State University of Florida for courses by payment of the building and capital improvement fees alone for each credit hour attempted for one term of instruction. This may be for up to six credit hours but applies for one semester only, regardless of the number of courses.

The certificate also applies to courses offered through continuing education programs of the State University System of Florida. At FSU, these are courses offered through the Center for Professional Development.

The certificate applies to courses that are offered for letter grades, on an S/U basis, for CEU, or for auditing classes. If an individual desires to take a course on an S/U basis, which is normally offered for a letter grade, they must request permission from the Dean of Faculties through the educator teaching the course.

The holder of the certificates may or may not be a degree-seeking student. If they are not a degree-seeking student, they must be registered as a Special Student in order to register for classes. Admission to the university as a Special Student is not handled by the College of Social Work; therefore, the applicant would be responsible for contacting the FSU Registrar’s Office (850) 644-1050 to complete all registration procedures to be recognized as a Special Student. This must be finalized 30 days before the beginning of the semester. Students wishing to enroll in classes at other universities will have to check with that university for information regarding Special Student status.

Certificates are not transferable. They can only be used to waive partial costs for courses for which the individual named on the certificate is registering. The user is responsible for student fees.  The certificate may also be used for online courses, however there is an additional fee associated with online course enrollment.

Certificates are valid for not more than 36 months from the date of issue. The expiration date is indicated on the certificate itself. Recipients are responsible for keeping these certificates in their possession. Lost or misplaced certificates cannot be re-issued.

Please note that certificates can take up to a semester to process. Please turn in your application early.

These forms should be printed, completed, and sent to the FSU College of Social Work Office of Field Education as specified.

• Performance Improvement Plan

There are several forms that all field education agencies will have occasion to use. The most commonly required forms are the Certificate of Participation and Agency Agreement Forms. Both are available below in PDF format. They should be printed, completed, and sent to the FSU College of Social Work Office of Field Education as specified.

• Certificate of Participation [PDF]
• Sample Affiliation Agreement [PDF]