Bachelor of Social Work Field Education Manual :

Field Education

The purpose of field education is to allow students to apply theory to practice. Through the combination of classroom instruction and agency experiences, students can apply and demonstrate their social work knowledge, values, and skills in relation to identified client needs and the agency’s purpose. As students learn from the professional demands of agency life, the knowledge, values, and skills acquired from all areas of the curriculum are translated into performance and professional competence. Field instruction provides opportunities for students to gain new knowledge and understanding in all areas of the curriculum.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has created Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) that include the criteria for field education. ¹ This area of the curriculum is considered the “signature pedagogy” of the program. Field education is considered the central form of instruction and learning in which a profession socializes its students to perform the role of practitioner; connects the theoretical and conceptual contributions of the classroom with the practical world of the practice setting; and is systematically designed, supervised, coordinated, and evaluated based on criteria to demonstrate student achievement of program competencies.

In accordance with CSWE standards, field instructors provide supervision to students during their field experiences. The field instructor is usually employed by the agency and holds a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program. It is preferred that they have a minimum of two years of post-BSW experience. The field instructor will evaluate the performance of the student through field evaluations and site visits. The field evaluations are provided at the end of Field Education Roles and Responsibilities

Quality field education requires the close collaboration of the agency, field liaison, field instructor, student, and social work program. Each has a distinct role and specific responsibilities.

1. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (2022) Educational Polices and Standards (EPAS). www.cswe.org/accreditation/policies-process/2022epas/

BSW Field Director

The BSW Field Director is the Walden University faculty member responsible for the overall functioning of the field education program. The Field Director is administratively responsible for the design, coordination, and guidance of the field education component of the social work curriculum. In collaboration with agencies, field instructors, students, field liaisons, and members of the social work faculty, the field director is responsible for:

1. Developing and maintaining the BSW Field Education Manual. This manual provides the context and guidance for field education and should be widely referenced by all involved in a field experience.
2. Coordinating and finalizing assignment of students to field courses.
3. Developing and implementing a field orientation for students each quarter.
4. Providing supervision for field liaisons to help ensure that the field courses are implemented as designed.
5. Working closely with field liaisons and field instructors to address any student issues that arise during field experience.
6. Developing and implementing orientation and trainings for field instructors.
7. Providing final approval of agency sites.
8. Working collaboratively with field directors throughout Walden to strengthen field education programs.
9. Assisting in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the BSW field website.
10. Collaborating to provide training on the BSW field program to various departments at Walden.
11. Being available during Skills Labs to assess student readiness for field experience and to provide assistance, as needed.
12. Helping to ensure that field education policies and procedures are developed and correctly implemented and that the educational objectives of field education are not compromised.
13. Continuously assessing the quality of the field education program.

Supervisor, Field Experience Coordinator

This is the Walden University staff member responsible for working as a field coordinator with additional responsibilities to ensure field timelines, quality, policies, and systems are maintained during the field application and placement process. Supervisor, field experience coordinator holds a MSW degree.

The supervisor, field experience coordinator is also responsible for the following:

1. Performing regular field coordinator responsibilities (with a reduced caseload and/or specialized caseload).
2. Creating, maintaining, and executing staff onboarding systems in collaboration with the field director.
3. Providing individual coaching to FEOCs and FECs to ensure quality service delivery and adherence to field policies.
4. Collaborating with the field director to plan and facilitate quarterly team-building activities.
5. Participating in quarterly field faculty meetings to provide field updates about application/placement procedures and processes.
6. Leading weekly consultation meetings with field experience coordinators and field experience operations coordinators to discuss priorities, goals, processes, and system needs.
7. Monitoring and coordinating team tasks to ensure field timelines and policies are met.
8. Tracking field data to assess the field placement process, effectiveness, and efficiency.
9. Regularly attending skills labs and working with the director of field to ensure sufficient skills lab programming.
10. Representing the BSW field team when collaborating with Office of Applied Learning Agreements (OALA) on processes affecting team systems.
11. Collaborating with other field departments to ensure best practices are incorporated.
12. Managing/supervising FECs and FEOCs in field education, including providing performance reviews and goal setting
13. Serving on committees as needed.

​​​​​​Field Experience Coordinator

The Field Experience Coordinator is the Walden University staff member responsible for working closely with students to secure field experience agencies for placement.

Under the supervision of the Supervisor, Field Experience Coordinator, the field experience coordinator is also responsible for:

1. Contacting agency representatives to initiate the agency approval process.
2. Supporting students with locating field experience agencies.
3. Conducting interviews with agencies to determine if they meet the appropriate criteria for field experience.
4. Collecting and reviewing agency field instructor documents to help ensure that the field instructor meets the criteria for supervision.
5. Responding to students’, field instructors’, and agency directors’ questions about the field experience.
6. Educating students, directors of sites, and field instructors about field policies and expectations.
7. Working with the field director to facilitate orientations for students.
8. Entering and updating student and agency documents and data in the social work database.
9. Attending academic skills labs to assess student readiness for field experience and answer any questions students have regarding field experience.
10. Collaborating with the Office of Applied Learning Agreements (OALA) to help ensure that agency affiliation agreements are completed if legal negotiations are required.
11. Attend OALA coordinators’ meeting for collaboration.

Field Experience Operations Coordinator

The Operations Coordinator is the Walden University staff member responsible for working closely with the field office staff to answer students’ questions regarding field experience.

Under the supervision of the Supervisor, Field Experience Coordinator, the field experience operations coordinator is also responsible for:

1. Reviewing students’ field experience application documents to ensure the following field requirements have been met:
   1. Students have completed Skills Lab
   2. Students are applying for the correct term
   3. Students have provided all application information and a resume
   4. Students have provided proof of current liability insurance
   5. Students have signed a home visit waiver
2. Contacting students to provide information about field deadlines and important notices from the field office.
3. Assisting in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the field website.
4. Entering student documents and data in the social work database.
5. Helping to ensure that the social work database is updated regularly.
6. Providing administrative support for the Field director and field experience coordinators.
7. At the request of the field director, pulling field data reports.
8. Assisting students, faculty, and field instructors with Meditrek and other data systems.

Field Liaison

The Field Liaison is the Walden University faculty member responsible for working with students to integrate the field experience with classroom instruction. The field liaison teaches the field class and acts as the liaison between the university and the agency. The field liaison holds a Master of Social Work Degree (MSW), as well as a doctoral degree in social work or a like field. The Field Liaison may provide required oversight of students at the agency if a BSW is not available on-site however this is not the first preference. The field liaison serves as a link between the social work program and the field agencies by:

1. Communicating with the field agencies a minimum of once each quarter to (a) identify appropriate learning opportunities for the student; (b) consult with the student and field instructor on the progress of the experience; and (c) review student records.
2. Consulting with field instructors and students regarding existing field-related problems, including appropriate problem-solving activities.
3. Providing weekly one (1) hour of supplemental supervision for identified students to ensure accreditation requirements can be met.
4. Evaluating the student’s performance and assigning a grade for field experience.
5. Assessing the student for appropriateness in the social work profession, including adherence to the professional code of ethical conduct.
6. Providing evaluative information to the BSW Field Director on the quality of the agency’s field experience and recommending revisions in the agency’s field experience program.
7. In Meditrek, regularly reviewing students’ hours to ensure the hours have been submitted and approved by the assigned field instructor, completing site visit updates and documentation, and completing evaluations of sites.
8. Teaching field education courses to social work field students to help them understand the integration of social work theory and practice.
9. Attending field liaison orientations led by the BSW Field Director on the requirements of the social work field program.
10. Providing one hour per week of synchronous (face to face) group meeting as part of the coursework requirements.

Field Agency

An agency’s decision to accept a social work student comes with certain obligations to invest agency resources and the time necessary for a quality field experience. Agencies are responsible for:

1. Structuring the workload of field instructors so that sufficient time is available for supervising students.
2. Developing assignments and adhering to expectations that are appropriate to the educational objectives of social work field experience at the generalist level.
3. Providing students with necessary workspace, resources, and supportive services, including equipment, software, and supplies.
4. Accepting students for field without regard to race, ethnicity, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, or disability.
5. Allowing students to explore and experience all aspects of agency structure, policies, and programs relevant to student learning objectives.
6. Orienting students to agency policies, procedures, and programs, and informing students of significant revisions in each.
7. Providing clear procedures (safety plan) to help ensure the safety of the student in the agency and during home visits and implementing a process to support the student if safety issues arise.
8. Maintaining a safe work environment by helping to ensure that the student never remains alone in the agency building seeing clients or completing field assignments. The field instructor or other agency staff will be always on-site and available while the student is engaged in field activities. A staff person must be available at all times if a student is completing any remote placement tasks and hours.
9. It is expected that during placement, the student will have exposure to situations that involve mandatory reporting and duty to warn. Field supervisors are responsible for educating all students about these laws. Students should not be required to be the primary mandated reporter while functioning as an intern at an agency as this role is reserved for the organization-based field instructor. The field supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all the organization’s policies, regulations, laws, and ethical obligations are followed. The student should discuss any issues of suspected abuse/neglect and/or duty-to-warn with their field liaison and when appropriate, the field director/coordinator.
10. Helping to ensure that students provide background check and drug screening documentation if these are required by the agency.
11. Submitting and updating affiliation agreements and other documents.

If an agency is not able to sign Walden University’ standard affiliation agreement, the agency will partner with Walden’s Office of Applied Learning Agreements (OALA) legal team to work toward an agreement.  The length and intensity of this process will vary depending upon the number and complexity of requested revisions.

12. Providing opportunities for students to experience contact with all client systems during the generalist practice year. This may occur on site or within the community setting.
13. Designating a field instructor who will assess and evaluate student performance.

Field Instructor

The primary role of the agency Field Instructor is that of an educator who supervises the student in the field experience placement. This Instructor is usually employed by the agency and holds a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program and has a minimum of two (2) years of post-BSW experience. Field instructors evaluate the performance of the student through the field evaluation process.

All field instructors are required to submit the Field Instructor & Agency Application, submit a résumé, and help to facilitate the completion of the Affiliation Agreement between the school and the agency, to the degree possible. Other documents may be required, depending on the placement. All instructors are required to participate in the BSW Field Program orientations on social work field education requirements. 

This is both a demanding and potentially rewarding role that involves the following varied responsibilities:

1. Identifying student learning needs in collaboration with the student and field liaison and reflecting relevant competencies and practice behaviors at the generalist level in a student learner role.
2. Selecting learning materials and activities relevant to the student’s learning needs and objectives, including (a) the appropriate type and number of cases; (b) inter- and intra-agency meetings and community task groups; (c) assigned readings, including grant proposals written by the agency; (d) agency projects, including those that involve participation with other agencies and/or community groups; (e) group and community intervention, including activities such as assessment of community needs, functioning as a liaison between the agency and a community group, and facilitating and/or organizing an advisory group; and (f) educational conferences.
3. Helping to ensure that the student is properly oriented to agency policies, procedures, norms, and the organizational structure.
4. Helping to ensure that the student is behaving in a manner consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics.
5. Communicating the objectives of the field education program to other agency personnel and eliciting support for those objectives and acceptance of the student as a beginning-level professional social worker.
6. Providing weekly supervisory conferences for students (minimum one hour), focused on the goals and objectives identified in the learning agreement. Supervision must be provided with eye-to-eye via electronic media or in-person with a preference for face-to-face sessions.
7. Assessing student performance relative to beginning-level knowledge and skills, and providing structured, constructive evaluative feedback to the student and faculty liaison, including completion of the Student Evaluation forms. The field evaluations are provided at the end of the first quarter (midterm field evaluation) and at the end of the second quarter (final evaluation).
8. Addressing any concerns or areas for student development with the university faculty field liaison, by collaborating with the student and the faculty field liaison on developing a plan to address these concerns. If needed, identifying, and implementing a correction action plan.
9. Providing information, policies, and training to the student regarding safety; providing the student with supervision and support if safety issues arise.
10. Assessing student performance relative to beginning-level knowledge and skills, and providing structured, constructive evaluative feedback to the student and faculty liaison, including completion of the Student Evaluation forms through the Meditrek system. The field evaluations are provided at the end of the first quarter (midterm field evaluation) and the end of the second quarter (final evaluation).
11. Signing off on student internship hours on a bi-weekly basis in Meditrek.
12. Attending required Field Supervisor Training webinars.

Trainings are completed via an online system that provides links to all trainings and tracks attendance and completion. A certificate of completion is provided at the end of each session. 

Communication with Agencies: Technology services are used by the Walden University’s BSW program to help ensure appropriate and thorough communication among the students, field instructor, and field liaison. This technology includes the use of the online learning environment, web video calling, and teleconferencing among different stakeholders in the field experience agency. The university field liaison will meet virtually with the agency field instructor and students at least once each quarter using virtual meeting technologies.

A productive field experience requires that the student actively participate in their field education placement process and field experience. Students have the following responsibilities:

Before Beginning Field Experience

1. Review the welcome email from the Field Office during the first quarter with information and keep the email, as it contains the username and password for the application system (Meditrek) used for applying for the field placement.
2. Review the Field Experience Website and BSW Field Manual, which includes information on the field process, deadlines, policies and other important information.
3. Contact student success advising to identify the correct term to take field courses and begin the field placement.
4. Apply for field experience during the Skills Lab Course.  Skills Lab must be successfully completed before students are eligible for their field placement.
   • Complete the BSW Field Student Orientation Webinar and the safety training in week two of the Skills Lab Course.
   • Be prepared to provide an agency of choice during week 5 of your Skills Lab Course. This process is assisted by the Field Experience Coordinators. To learn how to search for potential agencies, see the “Locating an Agency” tab on the Field Experience Website.
   • Make a list of agencies of interest; begin exploring what they do and if they accept BSW interns. Learning about community resources early will help students when they begin to decide where they may want to complete their internship.
5. Work in collaboration with the BSW field team to ensure all questions regarding field requirements, the process for applying, etc. are addressed. For assistance, contact bswfield@mail.waldenu.edu

During Field Experience

1. Collaborate with the field instructor and field liaison in identifying learning needs and specifying learning objectives (utilizing SMART goals) related to competencies and practice behaviors at the generalist level. This information should be documented on the student learning agreement, which is provided in the Field Education Course and can be located on the Field Experience Website on the Learning Agreements page.
2. Engage in practices and behaviors that are consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and directed by CSWE EPAS standards.
3. Actively explore learning opportunities within the agency and participate with the field instructor in the selection of appropriate learning materials and activities.
4. Comply with agency and field experience policies, procedures, and standards, including background checks or drug screens if the agency requires them.
5. Use supervision appropriately, including participating in selecting content for using supervision to openly address needs, concerns, and issues.
6. Attend and participate in agency staff meetings and professional meetings or conferences recommended by the field instructor.
7. Integrate field and classroom learning by applying theory and concepts to field assignments.
8. Continually assess the quality of the field experience. Keep the field instructor and field liaison informed of concerns regarding the experience. Concerns should not be left until the final evaluation. The student shares responsibility for helping ensure concerns are addressed as soon as they are identified. The student and the field instructor will notify the field liaison and the Field Director immediately of any serious or potentially serious issues.

During the Field Course

1. Actively and professionally participate in a weekly, 1-hour face-to-face synchronous (video) meeting with the field liaison and peers during each quarter of field experience. The weekly call time will be determined by the field liaison. These hours are part of the academic experience and qualify toward required internship hours
   1. More than two unexcused absences from the weekly call will result in failing the field course.
2. Submit all assignments in a timely manner.
3. Submit all internship hours in Meditrek on a regular basis and remind field instructors to sign off on hours on a regular basis. Only hours that are approved by the field instructor will count as legitimate field hours.
4. Consult your Student Handbook policies relating to add/drop dates, grades of incomplete, and other academic policies.
   1. Failing the field course will result in having to complete all 200 hours again. 
   2. If you have challenges with your workload or meeting the course requirements, contact your faculty member for assistance. 

Students are expected to abide by the following rules while at their field experience placement:

1. To arrange life and work schedules to permit a field experience schedule that is consistent from week to week and that meets the requirement for 200 hours per quarter.
2. To familiarize themselves with and abide by the policies and regulations of their field agency and those of the Walden University Social Work Program. This includes adhering to the policies and requirements outlined in this manual, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requirements, code of ethics, and any other requirements specific to the field agency.
3. To perform in a responsible, professional manner maintaining commitments to the agency, field instructor, and clients.
4. To not utilize agency computers for personal reasons as well as comply with agency policies regarding social media and technology. Students must respect the privacy of the internship site and its personnel and/or clients. In the event that a student’s social media profile or linkage is considered a poor professional practice or an ethical violation, the student will be subjected to a review of dispositional concerns. 
5. To not utilize personal cellphones during internship hours unless expecting an urgent message. If an urgent call is expected, authorization to take the call should be obtained from the field instructor. Students are discouraged from using personal technology to facilitate internship tasks and hours.
6. To not utilize personal cellphones to contact clients or to do agency business (i.e. do not give clients your personal cell phone number, do not send text messages to your field instructor/preceptor/clients).

To protect students and clients, students are not allowed to transport clients. Often, personal automobile insurance excludes business driving, so if an accident occurred while transporting clients, students may face significant personal liability that may not be covered by insurance. While this may be an inconvenience for some students, there are no exceptions to this policy.

7. To not utilize personal computers to store clients’ protected health information (PHI).
8. To not complete classroom work during field hours unless special authorization from the field liaison and field instructor is obtained.
9. To arrive on time and to stay for the full duration of the scheduled shift. A student’s grade in field will be affected by persistent absenteeism or tardiness.
10. To help ensure that appearance and demeanor reflect a professional manner; consult with field instructor (and agency policy manual) regarding agency dress code.
11. To develop, in conjunction with the field instructor and the field liaison, a learning agreement that identifies the activities and expectations to meet the learning objectives and outcomes based on competencies and practice behaviors identified by the Walden University Social Work Program. To take an active role in planning and implementing the learning experiences in the field experience using the opportunities at the field agency to integrate theory and practice, increasing the level of knowledge and self-awareness, and to share course syllabi with the field instructor.
12. To communicate educational needs and interests to the field instructor and to notify the field liaison if they are not receiving at least one hour per week of supervision.
13. To discuss with the field instructor and/or the field liaison areas of concern or confusion about the field experience.
14. To attend and be prepared for scheduled supervisory meetings with the field instructor.
15. To notify the field instructor of any necessary absences from field as is expected in professional employment.
16. To maintain a time log that documents attendance at field experience.
17. To make up any missing field time during the same quarter to help ensure that required field experience hours are met.
18. To participate in any scheduled site visit (three-way conferences) with the field instructor and the field liaison.
19. To adhere to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics in all practices.
20. To participate in the evaluation process with the field instructor by reviewing, signing, and confirming delivery of the evaluation forms.
21. To seek and effectively use help for challenges/barriers that interfere with scholastic and professional performance.

You must participate in Weekly Field Instruction course sessions via web camera (showing your face in adequate lighting) and microphone and/or telephone connection. Working webcams and microphones are not optional.  Attendance counts when your camera is turned on, and you are engaged in the session. Treat the sessions as if you were in a physical classroom. If you engage in any other activity (driving, working, etc.), you risk being removed from the session and assigned an absence.   

All students are expected to:  

• Make efforts to interact positively and in meaningful ways with your peers and faculty staff.
• Engage, network, and learn as much as possible to enhance your professionalism, academic journey, and overall Walden experience.
• Be mindful of your body language and facial expressions as you would if you were meeting in-person.

Accommodations: Students who require accommodation based on disability should contact The Office of Student Disability Services at disability@mail.waldenu.edu at least 30 days prior to the Skills Lab and Field Seminar sessions to discuss assistance. Students should apply as early as possible as there may be some situations where a request for accommodation is made at a point where appropriate arrangements cannot practicably or reasonably be made. Accommodations are not applied retroactively.

Generalist Field Education Courses (SOCW 4100 and SOCW 4110)

During the field experience part of your education, you will complete field education courses, as well as your hours at the approved agencies.  The courses and the agency hours are completed concurrently for the placement, there are two courses to be taken consecutively, SOCW 4100 and SOCW 4110.  During these courses you will participate in your learning at your approved agency.  You will use the same agency for both courses to complete the field experience requirement.  The courses are designed to help you integrate social work knowledge and values with the skills learned at the agency.  The field experience placement provides students the opportunity to learn the general practice of professional social work.

• Target systems: individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities
• Social work roles: advocate, broker, networker, educator, case manager, mediator, researcher
• Examples of agency types (not limited to these suggestions)
  • Nonprofit agencies (shelters, crisis centers, senior services, adoption agencies,
    family resource centers)
  • Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, home health agencies, group homes
  • Hospitals, nursing homes
  • Social Service Agencies
• Generalist tasks:
  • Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Planning, Implementation, Termination, Follow-up

Field Hours

Student will need a total of 400 hours to complete the field education requirement for the BSW program.  The 400 hours are divided between two consecutive 11-week quarters. Students will clock 200 hours at their agency for each quarter. Students are not allowed to bank field hours in hopes of completing their field experience earlier. Students must remain at the field experience agency until the end of the academic term.

Field Education Learning Agreement

Another essential component to field education is the development of a learning agreement to ensure students and field instructors have a plan to achieve learning goals that align with the program requirements. A copy of the Learning Agreement can be found on the Field website.

Once the field placement begins at the agency, students should meet with their field instructor to review the learning agreement, SMART goals, and learning needs. Students will be asked to submit a copy of the agreement in Week 4 of their field course.

Taking the time to plan learning is essential. Students should plan to review the agreement and become familiar with the areas of competency for social work students.

Completed agreements should be uploaded in Canvas as outlined per the assignment and in Meditrek.

Field Education Evaluation

During each quarter of field education, field instructors evaluate students’ learning using a field evaluation. The evaluation covers nine areas of competency.

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

During each quarter of field education, Field Liaisons will complete an evaluation with the site and student. The evaluations cover strengths of student, areas of focus, hours, and concerns.

Students complete a final evaluation of the site and field instructor.

Credit for Life Experience

The Bachelor of Social Work program recognizes the richness of contributions from students with previous experience and appreciates the value this brings to the classroom. However, current educational standards do not allow life/work experience credit toward field hours or academic credit.

1. Students are expected to attend all agreed-upon days and times in the agency for the entire quarter of enrollment in a field education course.
2. Students are to notify the field instructor when they must be absent; if the absence is expected to last more than one week, the student must also notify the field liaison.
3. All absences are to be made up in a manner mutually agreed to by the student, the field instructor, and the field liaison.
4. A minimum of 200 field hours must be completed for a student to receive a passing grade in each field education. A student who fails to meet this requirement will have to retake the course.
5. Absences due to observance of religious holidays, attendance at professional meetings, or participation in professional conferences may be permitted with the prior approval of the field instructor and field liaison. The field instructor will determine the number of field hours credited for attendance at professional meetings or conferences.
6. Students are not allowed to bank field hours in hopes of completing their field experience earlier. Students must remain at the field experience agency until the end of the academic term.
7. Students who fail to notify the field instructor of an absence or have excessive absences are subject to termination and will receive a grade of "U"

Students must always have university supervision while participating in the field experience. Generally, students are not allowed to use the weeks between quarters to complete field experience hours, but some circumstances may create a need for a student to continue hours between quarters.  In those rare cases, students must petition their faculty field liaison, and the final decision will be made by their faculty field liaison, field instructor and the Field Director. If permission is granted, the faculty field liaison will help ensure that students maintain contact with him or her or a member of the field staff during the interim week. This contact may be made either through the classroom or using other technologies (e.g., Web video calling, teleconferencing).

Definition: Worksite placements are defined as those where the students completes field placement hours at their place of employment.

Worksite placement requests are considered on an individual basis by the Field Director. The Field Director provides final written approval of worksite placements. Please note that no verbal approvals are provided.

Agency Requirements

For consideration as a worksite placement site, the agency must meet the same criteria as other field agencies. Additional criteria, listed below, must be met by the agency prior to approval as a worksite placement.

The agency will:

• Be large enough to meet the educational needs of the student, fulfill the competencies for the field placement, and allow the student to complete the required field placement hours.

• The preferred placement would be a change to a different department, section, or program within the agency that exposes the student to a different client population and provides opportunities to acquire/demonstrate skills that allow the student to meet the CSWE competencies.

• Provide written documentation from an agency administrator that the student field placement hours will meet the required activities to meet CSWE competency acquisition.
• Provide one hour of face-to-face supervision per week that is separate and distinct from work-related supervision.

It is preferred the agency:

• Provide designated time for students to engage in new learning experiences for field placement activities.

Student Guidance About Worksite Placements

• The student has been employed for six-months prior to the field placement.
• The student is not under any probationary status.
• Students who are in a position of authority or have a family member at the field site (CEO, Executive Director, board member, etc.) CANNOT intern in their agency.
• The student understands the unique risks associated with worksite placements and agrees to the terms. Some risks include:

• Losing a job may result in losing a field placement.
• Poor performance as an intern may negatively impact employment.

By choosing a worksite placement, you may not have as many new learning opportunities or have the opportunity to learn something outside the context of your worksite.

Definition: Remote placements* are defined as a field placement where the student is not on-site at the agency and is performing field placement tasks and activities virtually. This placement term is for students who are working from home rather than going to an office or agency.

*Remote placement are not those where students occasionally complete remote hours due to inclement weather or other field site circumstances, per the field instructor’s discretion. If a student needs to complete placement hours remotely due to unexpected circumstances, students are expected to have the approval of the field instructor and update their field liaison. Students who are regularly performing tasks such as research or documentation remotely (not client-facing), may earn up to 8 hours of remote work each week, with approval from the field office and the student’s field site.

Remote placement approvals are considered on an individual basis by the Field Director. The Field Director provides final written approval of remote field sites.  Please note that no verbal approvals are provided.

Agency Requirements

For consideration as a remote placement site, the agency must meet the same criteria as other field agencies. Additional criteria, listed below, must be met by the agency prior to approval as a remote placement site.

The agency will

• outline the training provided to the student to address client interaction, online protocol, use of virtual platforms, confidentiality, and other items as needed.
• provide the specific steps on how they will provide oversight for client interactions, documentation, and other agency requirements.
• outline specific process for feedback on documentation, verification of student hours, and student activities and tasks.
• provide policy and procedure in addressing discrepancies in reported hours and student tasks/activities.
• describe how they will provide students with necessary resources, technical support, and ongoing assistance. This includes any software/hardware that is required to ensure client confidentiality and meet state and federal licensure requirements.
• confirm the supervisor meets any state regulations for the supervision of remote client-facing tasks, if necessary.

Remote placement hours (a consistent schedule) and tasks must be documented on the learning agreement and updated if changes are made.

An agency staff member must provide direct supervision of, at a minimum, a student’s first two direct remote client visits.  The agency should verify that a student is able to demonstrate and execute the appropriate skills before completing remote, independent client visits. An agency representative should always be available in the event that concerns or questions arise.

Student Guidance About Remote Placements: 

• Students are recommended to complete the productivity log (Word) to provide accountability for the student's work and learning, in the event there is a discrepancy.
• Students should not use their personal computers or phones for remote work to ensure client and agency information is protected.
• Students should never complete remote direct client visits alone if they do not feel prepared or safe. Students should contact the field liaison or BSW Field Director if they have any questions or concerns.
• If a student is terminated from a remote placement, upon review by the Field Director, the student may not be permitted to complete another placement with remote hours.

The field experience is quite different from other university courses. While a field experience in a community agency is organized around educational objectives determined by the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum, it also involves professional responsibilities to clients, agencies, and the community. As a result of the involvement of these many stakeholders, it is imperative that field liaisons and field instructors recognize early and respond quickly to a student’s performance problems. When problems occur, it is crucial that the field instructor, student, and field liaison attend to several issues:

• the rights of clients to receive adequate services within the appropriate scope of practice
• the educational needs of the student (including access to corrective and supportive services, as appropriate), and
•  the gatekeeping function of the social work program and professional community.

Students are required to contact their field instructor and field liaison if they experience a significant issue or problem during the field experience using the following procedures:

1. The field liaison will contact the field instructor to discuss the matter and attempt to resolve the problem.
2. Upon resolution, the field liaison will document the problem and its resolution, including the procedures for resolving the problem using the Field Incident Report Form (Word).
3. The field instructor, student, and field liaison can provide comments, sign the document to acknowledge that they understand and agree to the resolution procedures, and each receives a signed copy.
4. A copy of the document is also forwarded to the Field Director. When the field experience is complete, the field liaison documents the successful completion of the agreement and forwards a copy to the Field Director.
5. If the problem or issue is unable to be resolved in this manner, the field liaison consults with the Field Director, and they meet with the field instructor to resolve the matter and document the resolution. After consultation, the Field Director makes the final decision on whether the student should be removed from the placement and if another placement should be located for the student.  

Evaluation of the student’s performance at the agency should be an ongoing process. Students should receive continual assessment of and feedback about their performance throughout the internship. Performance expectations are detailed in the field evaluation forms for each course. These expectations serve as the basis for the field experience learning agreement developed by the student and the field supervisor. If, at any point, a student’s performance is evaluated by the field instructor as less than satisfactory, the field instructor should notify the field liaison immediately. A final conference between the field instructor and student is held prior to the end of the quarter, and the student is expected to participate actively. The field liaison will notify the Director of Field of any concerns about student learning, progress, and or professional development.

The Walden University Social Work program uses technology services to help ensure appropriate and thorough communication among the student, the field instructor, and the field liaison. This technology includes the use of the online learning environment, Web video calling, and teleconferencing among different stakeholders in the field experience agency. The university field liaison will meet virtually with the agency field instructor and student at least once during each quarter and will monitor the student in the field seminar courses.

All students in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program must apply to the Field Office before beginning any social work field experience. To apply, students must:

1. Discuss your plan of study with your academic advisor to determine when you should begin your field placement. 
2. Be in good academic standing.
3. All students will be enrolled in Skills Lab.  Skills Lab is a prerequisite to your field course and internship. During the Skills Lab, you will complete your application for your field placement and identify an agency where you would like to intern.
4. Complete an application in Meditrek during week two of Skills Lab. Newly enrolled students will receive Meditrek login credentials within the first quarter of their enrollment. More information about the field application process can be found on the Field Experience Website.

During the application process you will be required to provide:

• A certificate of professional liability insurance.
  • You may purchase the insurance from whichever company you choose. NASW offers liability insurance at a student rate when you become a member. You may also contact American Professional Agency.
  • Students are required to maintain liability insurance with a single limit of no less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and three million dollars ($3,000,000) annual aggregate.
• Provide an updated version of your resume.

If students need assistance with a professional résumé, Career Planning and Development Center has resources to help.

5. Complete the Field Orientation Webinar during week two of the Skills Lab course.
6. Provide an agency of choice in Meditrek during week seven of the Skills Lab course. 
7. Communicate regularly with your field coordinator during the placement process. Students are assigned a field experience coordinator after the field application process. 

Liability Insurance

Each student is to obtain professional liability insurance prior to beginning their placement. Students must acquire their own malpractice insurance policy, even if they are covered by the agency’s insurance policy. Students may obtain the required insurance through NASW Assurance Services² or through any other agency that provides coverage. Students must maintain liability insurance with a single limit of no less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and three million ($3,000,000) annual aggregate. Worksite insurance (any type of insurance provided by an employer) does not qualify for liability insurance. All students are required to purchase professional liability insurance, as outlined above. Walden is not responsible for damage to personal property while engaging in internship activities.

Please note that standard liability insurance covers student negligence through interactions with clients. It does not cover personal injury or harm while engaged in client activities.  Students are responsible for inquiring about their personal coverage while in field or adding additional insurance to cover personal injury.

Students are required to be insured at the onset of the field experience placement until the placement ends. In instances where the insurance certificate that was sent with the application expires during the field experience, the student must submit their current insurance certificate to the field office through Meditrek. Students must have a current insurance certificate on file to participate in the field experience and will not be allowed to begin or continue to participate in the placement without proof of liability insurance.

Home Visit Waiver Form

Some agencies require students visit clients in their home setting. This is a standard practice in social work, but one that has risks involved.  All students will complete a home waiver form as a part of their application indicating their understanding of the risks involved.  Training is provided in the Skills Lab course to help students prepare for safety in home settings. All students are required to view the Safety Training Webinars during Skills Lab.

Policies are in place to support an optimal student educational experience. However, there are situations where the field office will review special circumstances. Students who wish to petition to waive a policy related to the application or placement process must request a petition form from the field office, complete it, and send it back by the deadline provided by the field team member. Petitions are reviewed by the field team member working with the student who will provide notes and/or a recommendation to the Field Director.

Petitions will be reviewed by the Field Director within 5 (five) days of receipt. Students will be notified of the decision via e-mail and receive a copy of the final signed appeal form. 

Below are the various petition forms used to request to waive field requirements:

• Application Petition
  • Use this petition if extenuating circumstances prevented you from applying for you field placement by the deadline.
• General Exceptions Petition: There are a number of field polices that are in place for the placement process. Use this petition if you are petitioning to waive any field education policy.
• Identifying an Agency Petition: In order to ensure enough time to set up field placements, deadlines are in place for students to submit their agency of choice and the contact person for that agency. 
  • Use this petition if you have extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting the agency identification deadline.

The program will not discriminate based on disability and is committed to providing all qualified students who have disabilities equal access to its programs, services, and activities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.In postsecondary education, it is the student’s responsibility to self-identify disability status and to register with Walden’s Office of Disability Services prior to requesting accommodations. To register, the student emails disability@mail.waldenu.edu with their intent to apply for accommodation and requests the Student Accommodation Request Form with related instructions. Students with disabilities requesting accommodations for field experience should register with Disability Services prior to registering for field experience and should clarify their specific accommodation needs. In most cases, field experience agencies have their own systems for helping to ensure equal access for employees and/or interns with any disabilities. Disability Services will help address any gaps in those systems.

At times students may feel they need extra assistance or guidance during their field experience to accommodate certain situations. Students should not hesitate to seek help provided. Below are a few services you may find useful.

Success Advising

Each student is assigned a student success advisor who can assist in navigating academic progress, including academic policies, scheduling questions, and other academic questions. Students can identify their student success advisor on the myWalden portal.

Assistance Program and Resources for Students

Walden’s Student Assistance Program provides confidential support, resources, and information—online or by phone—to help you better address life’s challenges. If students are seeking disability accommodations, leniency due to short term medical conditions, and/or leniency due to religious needs, pregnancy, military, or parenting, note the following processes:

For students with disabilities, the Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS) may be contacted by phone or email at: 855-229-0848 or disability@mail.waldenu.edu

For students requesting leniency for short-term medical needs, students should submit any medical documentation to medicaldocumentation@mail.waldenu.edu. The student should also discuss their concerns with their faculty to create a plan for leniency.

For any questions regarding support for religion, pregnancy and parenting or military requests, the Office of Equity and Access may be contacted directly. equity@adtalem.com

Career Planning and Development

As a student and graduate, you will have access to the Career Planning and Development’s practical online tools for comprehensive career planning, including assessments, career research, résumé writing tips, networking strategies, effective interview techniques, and guidance on evaluating job offers and negotiating your salary.

Quick Answers

Quick Answers is a resource that assists individuals in finding fast answers to common questions.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program wants students to be aware that there are certain inherent risks in any situation that requires contact with the public. Social work is a profession that works with people with both strengths and challenges, who often live in challenging environments. To reach people in need, agencies are located in areas that provide reasonable access to clients served. Students entering the field need to be aware that most, if not all, field settings entail safety risks for staff and students alike. Such risks are not solely student risks but risks that social workers must recognize throughout their careers.

While participating in the field experience, students must also be attentive to the need for personal safety and act accordingly to minimize risks. During the orientation to the agency, students should discuss safety issues with their field instructors. Students with any safety concerns or questions should contact the field liaison—the Walden faculty member teaching the field seminar—to discuss these issues and seek guidance.

If a safety incident occurs, students should contact the agency field instructor and field liaison. If the student does not get a response from the field liaison, an e-mail or call should be sent to the field director. The field director can be reached at bswfield@mail.waldenu.edu. The student should continue to follow up until acknowledgement of the incident is received from the field liaison or field director. Students will receive safety training during their Skills Lab course.

The guidelines below present a quick overview for personal safety. It is important to remember that all individuals are ultimately responsible for their personal safety and should pay attention to their instincts; they can be an important indicator of danger. Students should:

1. Always inform the field instructor and faculty field liaison of incidents where you feel your personal safety is threatened.
2. Be alert to all parties in the immediate environment.
3. Carry oneself in a confident manner and be purposeful in actions.
4. Be friendly; however, do not disclose a great deal of information about oneself or one’s family.
5. At all times, consider safety. Use observational skills to practice safety.
6. Be aware of the physical setting where clients will be seen. Always have a path to the door. Do not seat the client between oneself and the door.
7. Do not place excessive items on the desk. Paperweights, staplers, scissors, etc., can become weapons.
8. If appropriate, leave the door open when meeting with clients.
9. Find out if the agency has a buzzer system or other methods to communicate with staff when an individual worker is having problems.
10. Keep the field instructor or other staff informed when and where clients will be seen.
11. Never work in the building alone. The field instructor or other staff should be on-site and available when students are engaged in field activities.
12. Be aware of the environment when entering and leaving the agency. If suspicious circumstances are observed, notify the supervisor, or wait for others to enter or leave the building.

Sometimes social workers find themselves working with clients who become agitated. This can be especially true with mandated clients who are required by court order to receive social work services. Below are a few tips for dealing with agitated clients. More information on this topic is also covered in the field courses and the Skills Lab Course.

Safety Guidelines When Working with Agitated Clients

If a client becomes agitated or confrontational:

1. Maintain an appropriate distance. Sometimes, one tends to move closer to an individual and this can escalate a situation or put one in danger of being assaulted. Give the client space to walk out of the area or to remove oneself from the space. If needed, ask the field instructor or another staff in authority for assistance. (This allows the student to disengage with the person, get out of danger, and make agency staff aware of the volatile situation.)
2. Encourage the client to sit if they are standing, as pacing can increase the agitation. The student may wish to stand until assistance arrives or may choose to sit after the client sits.
3. Do not touch clients, even if attempting to offer them reassurance.
4. Watch carefully and remain alert. Clenched fists, hands that are opening and closing in a frenzied manner, darting eyes, or a wide-eyed panic-stricken look and tensed jaw muscles can indicate that the client is very agitated. If aggressive behaviors continue to escalate despite efforts to calm the client, identify an opportunity to leave the volatile situation to get help.
5. When faced with verbal confrontation, maintain a calm voice. Do not engage in an argument. Speaking softly will sometimes allow the client to lower his or her tone in order to hear what is being said.
6. Know when to terminate a session. Provide an honorable avenue of escape for the client by letting them know that it is acceptable to end the session early and that the session can be rescheduled for a different time.  Do not become so focused on the task that warning signs of a potentially dangerous situation are ignored. Ask the client to wait in the waiting room while contact is made with the field instructor for direction as to how to proceed in assisting the client.
7. Realize that an individual who is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs has an increased risk of unstable or volatile behavior and impaired judgment. Learn to identify signs of being under the influence of any substance: glassy eyes, dilated pupils, staggering, odor of alcohol or other drugs, irrational or illogical behavior, acting uncharacteristically different, extremely depressed or elevated mood. It is not useful to attempt to resolve issues with a client in this condition. It is recommended that the session be terminated and rescheduled.
8. If threatened with violence, disengage immediately until assistance is provided from the field instructor or local police, if necessary.

Some social service agencies require that social workers conduct visits with clients in the client’s home environment. The safety of students in home settings has to be a priority of the agency and the student. Safety on home visits is discussed in the field course and during the skills lab courses. Students must conduct, at a minimum, the first two home visits for each placement (foundation and clinical) under the supervision of an agency staff member. Students are never to go on a home visit alone if they do not feel prepared or safe. Students should contact the field liaison or director of field experience if they have any questions or concerns. Home visits are a frequent part of social work services. It is not necessary to be afraid, but to be observant and use good judgment. The following are a few tips to consider when conducting home visits:

1. Notify your field instructor that you will be making a home visit. Give specific information about your destination and approximate arrival and departure times. If you are concerned about a particular client, ask for assistance or take another worker with you.
2. When visiting a community or making home visits, do not wear expensive jewelry or act in ways that will make you stand out. Dress in a manner conducive to your field activities. Wear clothes that will allow you to run if necessary.
3. When you are in the local neighborhood, be sure to scan the environment and be aware of what is happening around you.
4. A cellphone is very useful; make sure your phone is fully charged.
5. Carry yourself in a confident, professional manner. Send a message that you are there for a purpose. Be respectful of those in the community.
6. If you are in an unfamiliar building and are using the elevator, try to get on an unoccupied elevator. If the door opens and people who make you feel uncomfortable are on the elevator, simply state that you are going in the other direction.
7. When you knock on the door of a dwelling, pay attention to the sounds you hear from inside. If a heated argument is taking place, do not enter the home. Call to schedule a follow-up visit.
8. Always identify yourself, and do not enter the dwelling until you are invited in. Once inside, do not sit down until you are invited. Choose a seat close to the door and ask if you may sit there.
9. Remember, you are on the client’s territory. Home visits are not inherently dangerous; however, people may react differently when they are in their own personal spaces.
10. If there are animals in the home, do not assume they will not harm you. Ask the client to please restrain the animal or put it in another room.
11. Do not turn your back on an irate client. Keep him or her in your vision at all times.
12. When you are in a client’s home, be aware of the other people who are also there. Their behaviors such as using drugs, violent behaviors, and/or extreme anger should also be considered when assessing risk.
13. If you observe drugs or weapons, you should reschedule the visit and leave as soon as possible.
14. Find out about the communities where you will be working and discuss them with your field instructor and other workers at the agency. If working in a high-crime area, discuss the specific safety guidelines. Do not go into high-crime areas at night.
15. When making home visits, ask the client about any safety concerns in his or her neighborhood and if they have recommended safety strategies.
16. Ensure you have your car keys in your hand. Always lock your car once you are in the car and after you get out.
17. If you will be placing personal items in the car trunk, do it before you leave the office to avoid calling attention to the act or leave the items in the office.
18. Check your car for sufficient gas before you leave the office. Be prepared to deal with car problems, breakdowns, or inclement weather. Make sure you have emergency equipment in your car such as a flashlight, jumper cables, and emergency road kit.
19. When parking your car, choose a spot that is close to a light and is as close as possible to your destination. Make sure your car is pointed in the direction to leave.
20. Do not transport clients in your personal vehicle or the agency vehicle.  
21. Before you leave the office, make sure you have the correct directions and phone numbers. Get a map or use a mapping services such as MapQuest, or GPS to plan your trip. If you get lost, go to a well-lit, busy gas station or convenience store to ask directions.

Reporting a Safety Incident

Students should report any type of safety incident immediately to the agency field instructor and field liaison. If a student feels that his or her personal safety is threatened in any way, this should be reported to the field instructor and field liaison.

When a student makes an allegation against a client, the following procedures should occur:

1. The student immediately notifies field instructor and field liaison of the occurrence.
2. The field liaison immediately notifies the field director.
3. Field instructor, field liaison, and field director determine if student should continue to work with client.
4. The student works with the field instructor to follow all agency protocols to determine if or how the client will be notified of the allegation.