Field Education

Field Instructors - Selection Criteria

The Field Instructor is a key influence in the professional education of social work students. A major factor in the success of a field instruction program is the selection of highly qualified and experienced field instructors.

Field Instructors play a vital role in the professional development of the students; providing them with the learning experiences and an introduction to social work practice in the agency setting, but also serving as a professional role model in the field of social work. Thus, the selection of field instructors must be considered carefully by the Agency and the School.

Basic Criteria for Social Work Field Instructors

1. Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and has a minimum of two years post MSW* experience. Preferable the field instructor holds a California State license (LCSW), licensure out-of-state, and/or holds certification in the NASW Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).

2. Good working knowledge of the agency. It is recommended that s/he have at least one year of experience in the agency/program. Well-integrated knowledge in the administration of the program and agency providing the field setting.

3. Commitment to social work ethics, values, and high standards of practice and education. Involves understanding, implementation and upholds the NASW Code of Ethics and laws governing social work practice.

4. Demonstrated practice competence and skill in an area of social work that s/he is expected to teach. Ability to provide educationally focused case selection, case assignment, and learning activities for students in the agency according to the School curriculum requirements and responsibilities.

5. Potential for field instruction: ability to conceptualize theory and practice; interest in designing and organizing materials for teaching; commitment to increasing knowledge; tolerance of differences between styles of learning, practice, creativity, and flexibility in the student’s learning opportunities.

6. Availability, as reflected in the adjustment of workload to permit regular and adequate time for instruction and supervision. Availability in the agency during the hours in which students are in field practicum in the agency. (In rare circumstances, off-site field instructors are required to be in the field practicum site 50% of student’s required hours. – a minimum of eight to ten hours per week.) This arrangement is not preferred by the School, but will be accepted only under special circumstances.

7. Commitment for one full academic year. The prospective field instructor agrees to schedule vacations and other placement time off during University holidays and recesses (generally not during the academic year).

8. Nominated or recommended by agency administration for suitability and responsibility as Field Instructor.

9. Participation in School educational activities, e.g. field orientations, field labs, course work and meetings with the field faculty liaisons.

10. Agreement to attend and participate in the Annual Field Instructor Meeting, Field Instructor Training Course (six 3-hour seminars) as scheduled during the first year of teaching.

11. Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in both oral and written form with the student and field faculty in a timely manner. Ability to document concerns, issues and progress of students when necessary.

12. Commitment to providing a minimum of one hour per week of formalized, individual supervision per student. It is the School’s experience that the field instructor’s time allocation for student teaching averages a minimum of 2-3 hours per student per week.

*The following additional criteria is used for the selection of Baccalaureate Program Field Instructors only:

1. Possession of a BASW or BSW degree from an accredited school of social work and holds a minimum of two years post BSW experience.
2. Letter of support from the field practicum agency for the BASW field instructor.
3. Letter of recommendation from a social work master’s degree professional.
4. Items #2 - #10 listed above are identified as the same criteria for MSW and BASW/BSW field instructors.

The prospective task supervisor enters the same process as new field instructors, e.g. submitting the required paperwork, School review and confirmation, and attending the required Field Instructor Training Seminars for developing supervision styles and knowledge of the School field curriculum, SDSU-Agency Agreement, and School policies. The field instructor maintains overall responsibility for the student’s specific teaching functions, assigning micro, mezzo and macro activities, and the student is ultimately accountable to the field instructor.

1. The agency first nominates staff members who they feel are best suited for the role. It is the joint task of the School and Agency to agree on the instructor’s competence before confirmation is finalized. The agency staff member who assumes the major responsibility for student learning carries the title "Field Instructor" in the School and usually is an agency employee.

2. The School requires each prospective Field Instructor to complete the "Field Instructor" Application after the agency has nominated him/her. The Application consists of:
   1. the Field Instructor Resource form outlining his/her primary practice models, theories, and instructional techniques and teaching style;
   2. prospective field instructor submitting a copy of their curriculum vitae/ resume. Verification of experience, degrees and references are generally accepted based on the personnel file.
   3. submitting a business card if available.

1. Responsible to the School for setting up the student’s overall field education program in accordance with the School’s curriculum, requirements, and guidelines. This is in consultation with the field faculty liaison.

2. Develops and implements plan for orienting the student to the agency and to the community the agency serves.

3. Provides ongoing, regularly scheduled, individual face-to-face supervision for a minimum of one hour per week. Involves case and macro assignments, review of agency policies and procedures, review of student’s learning objectives, and evaluation of the student’s performance.

4. Supports intern in integrating classroom learning with field experience.

5. Facilitates student attendance at agency staff meetings, case conferences, community meetings, seminars, etc.

6. Provides adequate resources to the student to enable him/her to work productively (i.e., space, clerical support, and cases).

7. Maintains regular communication with the school via consistent contact with field faculty liaison.

8. Regulates the size and variety of student's generalist or advanced practice caseload, including student’s caseload and work responsibilities for maximizing intern's growth and meeting his/her learning objectives.

9. Facilitates the student development of her/his learning plan, incorporating the core skill competency performance areas as outlined.

10. Reviews required weekly internship logs and educational process recordings, provide feedback and returns them to student for discussion in a timely manner.

11. Continually evaluates student's learning style, performance and, professional growth.

12. Assists student in understanding professional use of self and self-awareness.

13. Conducts mid-semester and final semester evaluations, using the field comprehensive competency skills evaluation instrument, and fully discuss the evaluation process with the intern within the time frames scheduled. Facilitates the student’s termination process.

14. Ability to provide a back-up professional resource person (when field instructor is not present) for the student for informal consultation. When the field instructor is unable to provide the formalized supervision for longer than a one to two week period, another confirmed field instructor (previously certified) will be provided by the agency. This arrangement will be made as early as possible with the Student, Faculty Liaison, and Coordinator of Field Education being notified.