Master of Social Work Field Education Manual :

Field Education

All MSW students are required to complete one or more internships during their educational experience.

• Standard and Accelerated Programs—Have two internships during their program, one during the first year (generalist year) and the other at the end of the program (advanced practice year). The generalist year is 400 hours and the advanced practice year is 500 hours for a total of 900 hours.
• Advanced Standing Program—Has one internship during their program, the advanced practice year internship. The advanced practice internship occurs during the last 2 quarters of the MSW program and requires 500 hours of practice at the approved agency. (Advanced standing students have a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution and have met other enrollment criteria that pertain to their GPA and graduation date (Contact Student Success Advising to learn more about advanced standing status in the MSW program).

Generalist (foundation year) field internships provide students with the opportunity to learn the general practice of professional social work.

• Students should have experiences working with all the following: individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Among the social work roles for students are advocate, broker, networker, educator, case manager, mediator, and researcher.
• Potential types of agencies include
  • Nonprofit agencies (shelters, crisis centers, senior services, adoption agencies, family resource centers);
  • Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, home health agencies, group homes;
  • Hospitals, nursing homes; and Day treatment facilities.
• Generalist tasks include
  • Micro tasks (assessments, interviewing, intake, general case management);
  • Mezzo tasks (educational groups, multidisciplinary meetings); and
  • Macro tasks (volunteer recruitment, develop professional training, agency meetings). Note: Advanced Standing students do not have a generalist year placement.

Note: Advanced Standing students do not have a generalist year placement.

All students have an advanced practice field placement. This placement is focused on advanced social work practice. This field experience advances the skills and knowledge used during the generalist field placement. During the advanced practice year, students use advanced skills and theories as they are expected to have a more fluid use of ethics and professionalism, resulting from the application of theories and skills demonstrated Skills Lab II and learned in other courses in the advanced year. This internship occurs at the end of the program (the last 2 quarters).

While students are completing their internship hours at their agency, they must be enrolled in a field education practice course. Field education courses CANNOT be taken separately from the internship hours.

Field courses are designed to enable students to demonstrate:

1. A full range of the practice of social work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities;
2. To evaluate relevant policies and procedures governing service delivery in agencies;
3. To incorporate social work values, ethics, knowledge, and practice principles in all professional interventions;
4. Self-awareness and the ethical integrity required for competent professional performance with clients, within the social work profession, and in society; 
5. To use scientifically grounded interventions and knowledge in their practice and in the evaluation of their professional work;
6. To recognize the contributions to society of human diversity and the implications of this diversity for social work practice;
7. To identify and propose strategies to counteract institutional and personal prejudice and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability;
8. To accept responsibility for continued learning and for contributing to the development of the social work profession; and
9. To identify and demonstrate behaviors reflective of EPAS standards.

There are four Field Education Practice Courses in the program (SOCW 6500, SOCW 6510, SOCW 6520, and SOCW 6530). SOCW 6500 and 6510 are taken with the generalist year internship. SOCW6520 and SOCW 6530 are taken with the advanced practice year internship. Courses are three (3) credits each and designed to support the activities that occur at the agency and to help students navigate agency expectations, supervision, and professional responsibilities.

Required Weekly Face-to-Face Synchronous Videoconference Meetings—All field education courses have a synchronous (face-to-face, real-time) component. While the courses have standard online content and assignments, they also require students to have weekly 1-hour face-to-face meetings with their classmates and field liaison (faculty member). These meetings are required and essential to the field learning process. The meeting times vary and are determined by faculty during the first week of the term. During the meetings, students have an opportunity to share their experiences in their agency, conduct assigned presentations, and engage in group discussion on various topics, such as supervision, confidentiality, safety, client engagement, among others. These hours are part of the academic experience and qualify toward required internship hours.

Note: students who have more than two unexcused absences from the weekly synchronous videoconference meetings may fail the course.

Course Content—Along with the face-to-face meetings, the course has weekly discussions and/or assignments. The course requirements are designed to work together with learning expectations in the field placement.

Successful completion of field education courses is based on three things:

1. Accruing points required for successful completion of the course.

2. Attending the required face-to-face synchronous videoconference meetings in the course, having no more than two unexcused absences. More than two unexcused absences from the weekly meeting may result in failing the course.

3. Accruing the hours required at their internship during the quarter. All hours must be approved by the supervisor to be counted.

Students who do NOT complete ALL three of the above will not pass the field course. Those who do not pass the course must repeat it along with the assigned agency hours.

You must participate in Virtual Skills Lab and Weekly Field Education 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 MSW Field Experience Manual 2024 13 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.

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

Before beginning field experience (internship), students should perform the following:

1. Review the welcome and Meditrek credentials email sent from the field office during the first quarter.
2. Review and bookmark the Field website.
3. Make note of the field process, deadlines, policies, webinars, and other important information on the site.
4. Confirm with Student Success Advising Team the appropriate term to begin field courses. This varies depending on the program of study. For example, an Accelerated Program student may be scheduled to begin their first internship in quarter 3, but another student may start in quarter 4 or 5.
5. Enroll in the Skills Lab course and attend the synchronous or in-person sessions. The Skills Lab course is required before each field placement. For more information about Skills Lab, see the Master of Social Work (MSW) Skills Lab Calendar.

• Submit a field application to the MSW field office during Week 2 of the Skills Lab course. Once the field application is approved, a field experience coordinator will be assigned to assist with the placement process.
• Review the student orientation required during Week 2 of Skills Lab.
• Take the safety training during Week 2 of Skills Lab.
• Begin to explore their community by searching for local community agencies using professional networks and online search exploration tools. For help with the search, students can use the tools at the Locating an Agency page on the Field website. Make a list of agencies of interest; begin exploring what they do and if they accept MSW interns. Learning about community resources early will help students when they begin to decide where they may want to complete their internship. Submit an agency of choice during Week 5 of the Skills Lab course or as soon as the field application is approved.

6. Connect with the MSW field team with questions about field requirements, the process for applying, etc. For assistance contact MSWfield@mail.waldenu.edu.

During field experience (internship), students should perform the following:

1. Collaborate with the field instructor to develop a Learning Agreement to specify learning objectives (utilizing SMART goals) related to competencies and practice behaviors at the appropriate level. For a copy of the Learning Agreement go to the Learning Agreements page on the Field Experience website.

• Submit the completed Learning Agreement during Week 4 of their field course.
• Discuss the learning regularly with their field instructor.
• For help with the agreement, contact the field liaison (faculty member).
• Confirm with the field supervisor the weekly schedule and agency expectations.

2. Engage in practices and behaviors that are consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the 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 conferences and 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 the field liaison informed of concerns regarding the experience. Concerns should not be left until the final evaluation. The students share responsibility for helping to ensure that concerns are addressed as soon as they are identified. The students and the field instructor will notify the field liaison and the MSW Field Director immediately of any serious or potentially serious issues.

During the field education course, students should perform the following:

1. Actively participate in a weekly 1-hour face-to-face meeting with the field liaison and peers. The meeting is a required part of the field education course. The weekly meeting time will be determined by the field liaison and posted under announcements in the course room. The weekly synchronous meeting hours are not included in the required internship hours

More than two unexcused absences from the weekly meeting may 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 (every 2 weeks is suggested) 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. Adhere to the MSW Student Rules of Conduct at Field Experience by
   1. Arranging life and work schedules to permit a field experience schedule that is consistent from week to week and that meets the hour requirement per quarter.
   2. Familiarizing themselves with and abiding by the policies and regulations of their field agency and those of the Walden University MSW 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. Performing in a responsible, professional manner maintaining commitments to the agency, the field instructor, and the clients.
   4. Not using 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. Not using 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.
   6. Not using personal cellphones to contact clients or to conduct agency business (e.g. do not give clients your personal cell phone number, do not send text messages to your field instructor/preceptor/clients).
   7. Not using personal computers to store clients' protected health information.
   8. Not completing classroom work during field hours unless special authorization from the field liaison and field instructor is obtained.
   9. Arriving on time and staying for the full duration of the scheduled shift. A student’s grade in field will be affected by persistent absenteeism or tardiness.
   10. Ensuring that appearance and demeanor reflect a professional manner; consult with the field instructor regarding agency dress code.
   11. Developing, in conjunction with the field instructor, 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 MSW program. 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 share course syllabi with the field instructor.
   12. Communicating educational needs and interests to the field instructor and to notify the field liaison if they are not receiving at least 1 hour per week of supervision.
   13. Discussing with the field instructor and/or the field liaison areas of concern or confusion about the field experience.
   14. Attending and being prepared for scheduled supervisory meetings with the field instructor.
   15. Notifying the field instructor of any necessary absences from field as is expected in professional employment.
   16. Maintaining a time log that documents attendance at field experience in Meditrek.
   17. Making up any missing field time during the same quarter to help ensure that required field experience hours are met.
   18. Participating in any scheduled site visit (three-way conferences) with the field instructor and the field liaison.
   19. Adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics in all practices.
   20. Participating in the evaluation process with the field instructor by reviewing, signing, and confirming the delivery of the evaluation forms.
   21. Managing stress effectively by using appropriate self-care and by developing supportive relationships with colleagues, peers, and others when stress impacts scholastic and professional performance.
   22. Seeking and effectively using help for or with problems that interfere with scholastic and professional performance.

IMPORTANT: To pass the field course, students need to complete course content, complete field hours at the agency, and attend the required weekly meetings with their classmates and field liaison.

The MSW Field Director is the Walden University faculty member responsible for the overall functioning of the field education program. The MSW 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, field office staff, and members of the social work faculty, the MSW Field Director is responsible for the following:

1. Developing and maintaining the MSW 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. Overseeing content and implementation of field orientations for students.
4. Providing supervision for field liaisons to help ensure 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 and faculty liaisons.
7. Providing final approval of agency sites.
8. Working collaboratively with all field partners and throughout Walden to strengthen field education programs.
9. Assisting in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the MSW field website.
10. Collaborating to provide training on the MSW field program to various departments at Walden.
11. Attending Skills Labs to assess student readiness for field experience and to provide professional advising.
12. Helping ensure that field education policies and procedures are developed and correctly implemented and that the educational objectives of field education are not compromised.
13. Providing data and information to the Council on Social Work Education, as needed
14. Continuously assessing the quality of the field education program.

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:

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

The field experience coordinator is the Walden University staff member responsible for working closely with students and field instructors to secure field placements. Field experience coordinators hold a MSW degree.

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

1.  Contacting agency representatives to initiate the agency approval process.
2.  Supporting students to locate field experience agencies.
3.  Conducting interviews with agencies to determine if they meet the criteria appropriate 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 questions from students, field instructors, and agency directors about the field experience.
6.  Educating students, directors of sites, and field instructors about field policies and expectations.
7.  Working with the MSW 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 OALA to help ensure that agency affiliation agreements are completed, if legal negotiations are required.
11.  Attend meetings with OALA coordinators for collaboration.

The field experience operations coordinator is the Walden University staff member responsible for working closely with the MSW field office staff to provide administrative support for students, faculty liaisons, and others.

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

1. Reviewing and approving students’ field experience application documents, to ensure the following field requirements have been met:
   • Students have completed Skills Lab.
   • Students are applying for the correct term.
   • Students have provided all application information and a résumé.
   • Students have provided proof of current liability insurance.
   • Students have signed a home visit waiver.
2. Contacting students to provide information about field deadlines and important notices from the field office.
   • Monitoring all field email role accounts.
   • Providing administrative support for the or MSW Field Director and field experience coordinators.
   • Assisting students, faculty, and field instructors with Meditrek and other data systems.
3. Assisting in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the MSW field website.
4. Updating and maintaining field data in all systems utilized by the field team.
5. Pulling field data reports at the request of the MSW Field Director.

The field liaison is the Walden University faculty member responsible for teaching field education courses. The field liaison holds an MSW credential and can provide the required supervision if, in the unlikely case, an MSW is not on-site. The field liaison serves as a link between the social work program and the field agencies by performing the following:

• Holding site visits with field agencies, at least once a quarter, to (a) identify appropriate learning opportunities for the students; (b) consult with the students and the field instructor on the progress of the experience; and (c) review student records.
• Consulting with field instructors and students regarding existing field-related problems, including appropriate problem-solving activities.
• Providing weekly one (1) hour of supplemental supervision for identified students to ensure accreditation requirements can be met.
• Evaluating the students’ performance and assigning a grade for field experience.
• Assessing the students for appropriateness in the social work profession, including adherence to the professional code of ethical conduct. • Providing evaluative information to the MSW Field Director on the quality of the agency’s field experience and recommending revisions in the agency’s field experience program.
• Teaching field education courses to social work field students to help them understand the integration of social work theory and practice.
• Attending field liaison orientations led by the MSW Field Director on the requirements of the social work field program.
• Providing one hour per week of synchronous (face to face) group meeting as part of the coursework requirements
• 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

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

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 and advanced practice levels. The field placement agency and assigned field instructor will ensure they can meet performance expectations with sufficient student engagement.
3. Providing students with necessary workspace, resources, support services, and equipment necessary to perform all internship functions within the field placement agency.
4. Accepting students for field without regard to race, ethnicity, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, or disability.
5. Allowing students access to explore and experience all aspects of agency structure, policy, and program relevant to ensure student learning objectives are met.
6. Providing a structured field placement agency orientation to include 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 students in the agency and during home visits and to initiate a process to support the students if safety issues arise.
8. Maintaining a safe work environment by helping ensure that the students never remain alone in the agency building seeing clients or completing field assignments. The field instructor or other qualified agency staff will be on-site and available at all times while the students are 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. Helping ensure that students provide background check and drug screening documentation required by the agency.
10. Keeping affiliation agreements up to date.
11. Providing opportunities for students to experience contact with all client systems during the generalist practice generalist year and opportunities for advanced practice opportunities during the advanced practice year that satisfy competency performance, outlined within the learning agreement.
12. Designating a field instructor who will assess and evaluate student performance.

The primary role of the agency field instructor is that of an educator. This agency staff member supervises the students in the field experience placement. This individual is usually employed by the agency, holds an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program, and has a minimum of two (2) years of post-MSW experience.

All field instructors are required to submit the Field Instructor & Agency Application and a résumé and helps facilitate (when appropriate) the completion of the Affiliation Agreement between the school and the agency, to the degree possible. If agencies are unable to sign Walden’s standard agreement, then the legal team in the OALA will work with the agency directly toward an agreement. Other documents may be required, depending on the placement. Being a field instructor is both a demanding and potentially rewarding role that involves the following varied responsibilities:

1. Identifying student learning needs in collaboration with the students and field liaison, as well as reflecting relevant competencies and practice behaviors at the generalist and advanced practice levels 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. Assessing, guiding, and evaluating the student to ensure students are properly oriented to agency policies, procedures, norms, and organizational structure.
4. Helping ensure that the students are 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 students as beginning-level professional social workers.
6. Providing weekly supervisory conferences for students (minimum 1 hour), focused on identified learning needs and objectives. Supervision must be eye-to-eye via electronic media or in-person with a preference for face-to-face sessions.
   • If the field placement agency’s primary supervision structure is provided via groups, students are expected to have individual supervision once a month to ensure individual learning needs are met. Students are still expected to receive a minimum of one (1) hour of supervision per week.
7. Addressing and providing documentation of any concerns or areas for student development with the university faculty field liaison and collaborating with the students and the faculty field liaison on developing a plan to address these concerns. If needed, identifying, and implementing a corrective action plan.
8. Providing information to the students regarding safety and reviewing specific agency policies regarding safety; providing the students with supervision and support if safety issues arise.
   • 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.
9. Assessing student performance relative to beginning-level knowledge and skills, and providing structured, constructive evaluative feedback to the students 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 at the end of the second quarter (final evaluation).
10. Signing off on student internship hours on a biweekly basis in Meditrek.
11. Completing the following required Field Supervisor Training webinars:
    1. Instructor Orientation
    2. Safety Training
    3. Ethics
    4. Supervision

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 MSW 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.

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.
• Students who want to request their current work site for a second time (advanced placement following an approved generalist placement) will need to follow the petition process to request to return to the same worksite.
• 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 placements 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 for each placement (generalist and advanced practice). 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 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 MSW Field Director if they have any questions or concerns.
• If a student is terminated from a remote placement, upon review by the Field Education Director, the student may not be permitted to complete another placement with remote hours.

Field internships are designed to help students develop and practice as professional social workers. Having the mentorship of another professional social worker is key to this development. Therefore, MSW students need to receive professional supervision from an individual with an MSW degree and at least two (2) years of postgraduate practice experience.

In the case that a potential field instructor does not have an MSW degree, field experience coordinators and the MSW Field Director review their educational background and licensure on a case-by-case basis for approval as tasks supervisors. Approval depends on many factors, such as the tasks, agency context, and the university’s ability to provide faculty supervision to ensure the CSWE requirements are met.

If non-MSW supervisors are approved, they will have to complete the non-MSW Field Instructor Training and all other required trainings prior to being approved. Once approved, they will work with the assigned faculty supervisor to ensure tasks, the learning agreement, and oversight is coordinated. Faculty members assigned to supervise students provide an additional mandatory one (1) hour of weekly supervision. Students may not have consecutive non-MSW supervisors for generalist and advanced year.

Students should have different tasks and learning opportunities between the 1st year (generalist) and the 2nd year (advanced) placements. Students can achieve these differences when they have placements in different departments, working with different populations, and in different practice areas. Same site agencies will be considered based on the site’s ability to provide appropriate tasks and a differentiated learning experience. There is no guarantee the same site can be approved for both the generalist and the advanced placement. Students will not be allowed to use the same supervisor for both generalist and advanced placements.

Petitions are generally discouraged, as field placement requirements are in place for reasons that support an optimal educational experience. However, there are situations where the field office will review special circumstances. Students who wish to waive one or more of the field requirements must submit a petition. If the petition is to request a deadline extension, the petition must be submitted within five (5) days of the required deadline. Once your LAF is approved, note that only one (1) petition for exception per placement will be considered.

Petitions are reviewed by the field team member working with the students who will provide notes and/or a recommendation (if applicable) to the MSW Field Director. The MSW Field Director will review the petition and recommendations and provide a decision within five (5) days of receipt.

Below are the situations to use a petition:

• Request for Field Deadline Extensions
• Non-MSW field placement supervisor
• Request for General Placement Exceptions
• For using the same supervisor for both generalist and advanced placements.
• For seeking other potential exceptions.

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 need to have a Home Visit Waiver on file before being allowed to conduct home visits. The Home Visit Waiver is part of the checklist when students submit their field application in the Meditrek system. 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. Students who do not sign a waiver will not be allowed to participate in home visits.

No credit toward field hours will be given for previous work and/or life experience. The richness of contributions from students with previous professional social work experiences is recognized by the MSW program, and the value this brings to the classroom is appreciated.

Each student is to obtain professional liability insurance prior to beginning the placement. Students must obtain 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 Services or through any other agency that provides coverage. Students must maintain liability insurance with a single limit of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 annual aggregate. Students are required to be insured at the onset of the field experience placement until the end. In those instances where the insurance certificate that was sent with the application expires during the field experience, the students must submit their current insurance certificate to the MSW 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 go into the field without proof of liability insurance.

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.

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.

Students should be aware that background checks are required in many social service settings. The presence of a criminal conviction, licensure encumbrance, or other history that may be perceived as negative by regulatory bodies, employers, field experience supervisors, or others may make it more difficult for students to find a field site or internship necessary to successfully complete the program. This could also affect the ability to obtain authority to practice or employment in the future, even if the conviction, encumbrance, or other circumstance exists or occurred in a different state from where the student currently practices, intends to participate in field experience, or intends to seek licensure or work.

Any field site to which students apply may have its own requirements for placement at the site. These requirements typically include a background check, disclosure of criminal convictions, drug screening, and/or licensure review. Walden University cannot guarantee that students with these types of experiences in their background or encumbrances on their licenses will be accepted by a field experience site. Therefore, students who have these types of occurrences in their background or encumbrances on their licenses may not be able to complete their academic program, due to inability to complete the field experience requirement.

It is the responsibility of the student to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to the practice as a licensed professional in the state in which they reside, apply for field experience, or desires to practice, as requirements vary widely. Walden makes no representations or guarantees that completion of Walden coursework or programs will enable students to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other credential or authorization to practice. For more information about the requirements to practice, students should contact the appropriate regulatory agency.

If a student is denied a field placement due to a background check, they will be required to sign an acknowledgment agreeing to disclose that history to future field sites. Not agreeing to disclosure will result in not be able to pursue a field placement, and therefore, not being able to complete the program.

Students should report any type of safety incident immediately to the field instructor and field liaison. This includes accidents or injuries during the internship and threats to personal safety.

The following protocol should be followed:

1. The students notify the field instructor and field liaison of the occurrence or threatening situation immediately. The field liaison should provide all relevant information from both the agency and the student to include any incident reports filed.
2. The field liaison notifies the MSW Field Director so that university support, where appropriate, can be offered.
3. The field instructor, field liaison, and MSW Field Director will collaborate to determine next steps and whether the students can remain at the agency.
4. The students should follow agency protocols for reporting incidents and not try to resolve the issue alone.

Note: Any situation that causes an immediate threat should be treated the same as other emergency situations. Students should remove themselves from harm and call the proper authorities.

Students are required to contact their 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 instructor will document the problem and its resolution, including the procedures for resolving the problem.
3. The field instructor notifies the MSW Field Director of the situation and resolution process.
4. The field instructor monitors the situation and notifies the MSW Field Director if the resolution is not working.

If the problem or issue is unable to be resolved in this manner, the field liaison consults with the MSW Field Director and together they meet with the field instructor to resolve the matter. After consultation with the field liaison and the coordinator of academic achievement, the MSW 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.

If students are dissatisfied with their field site, they should do the following:

1. Inform the field liaison.
2. The field liaison will review the concerns presented and, if there is appropriate justification, the liaison can recommend the agency be changed.
3. This decision would involve and result from a mutual assessment by the agency, students, field liaison, field office, and MSW Field Director. All steps will be documented by the field liaison and forwarded to the MSW Field Director
4. The MSW Field Director will make the final decision regarding any changes in field placements.
5. The students will then work with their field experience coordinator to secure a new placement site to continue the term. If a new site cannot be secured in a reasonable amount of time to finish the course, students may have to take a quarter off until the new site is secured.

As professional social workers, graduates will be utilizing their skills to help others make changes in their lives. They will sometimes be called upon to make serious decisions, which can be helpful or harmful to others. A social worker who does not respect the values and ethics of the profession, who is incapable of mastering the work of the profession, or who does not take change-making seriously can harm clients. Competent social workers must be able to understand and discipline their own emotional needs to avoid projecting these needs on others or use clients for personal gratification. They must have not only abstract knowledge about the profession but also the ability to translate knowledge into practical application.

A student’s sustainability will be continually and thoroughly assessed throughout their time in the social work field experience. The normal expectation when students are admitted to field experience is that they have the potential for success. Disagreements may occur, and mistakes may be made, but these are usually part of the learning process. The field liaison, field instructor, and student, working together, will generally be able to overcome “rough spots” in an atmosphere of mutual respect and concern.

It is not common for students to be asked to leave a field site, but it can occur. When there are serious concerns about a student’s suitability for the profession, the field instructor may assess that the student should not continue in the field experience. This may result from a single grave incident or from a pattern of behaviors. Both academic and field settings are considered when determining if students should continue.

Students may have their placement terminated if any of the following occurs:

• Their performance in field experience demonstrates, after adequate corrective efforts, little likelihood of successful completion. This may be a matter of knowledge, skills, and/or values.
• Their attitudes or values are incompatible with the practice of professional social work (e.g., strong disregard for change, diversity, honesty, and/or competency).
• They persist in conduct in the field that endangers clients, the agency, the university, other students, or the students themselves (“unsafe practice”).
• They commit a serious violation of the NASW Code of Ethics, whether or not they are an NASW member.
• They are consistently unable to form productive working relationships with clients, field instructors, or other students.
• Their personal problems (e.g., relationship, substance abuse, mental illness) are so serious or recent as to preclude effective work in the field setting.
• They engage in serious academic or other dishonesty or in a breach of confidentiality.
• They do not make positive improvement to addressed concerns addressed verbally or in written format.

See a list of student expectations for professional competence in the Walden Student Handbook. The first step when any problem becomes apparent is a discussion among those most directly affected. When a problem is so persistent or serious that a student’s continued placement is in question, they will be informed in writing by the MSW Field Director of the area(s) of concern and corrective action necessary for continuance in the placement. The specific time frame allowed for the corrective action will be determined by the MSW Field Director in consultation with the field liaison and field instructor.

Students who have been terminated from field may be assigned a new field site if the problems that led to that decision are resolved. The burden is on the student to demonstrate that this is the case. A new field site requires the student to work with their field experience coordinator to secure a new placement.

If students are dismissed from an agency and a comportment plan does not require them to sit out, they have two (2) weeks to locate a replacement agency. Their grade is entered as incomplete, and they have 60 days for their grade to be changed from incomplete to complete. If their grade is not changed, students will fail the course and need to retake the course and internship hours. If students do not follow through on the corrective action plan, the MSW Field Director will notify the MSW Program Director so further action can be taken. The Walden University Student Handbook will be followed to ensure university protocols are followed. Note: Incompletes can prevent a student from registering from other courses or may be dropped from courses if the incomplete is not resolved.

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 or to remove themselves from the area. If needed, ask the field instructor or another staff in authority for assistance. (This allows students to disengage with the person, get out of danger, and make agency staff aware of the volatile situation.)
2. Encourage the client to have a seat if they are standing. Pacing can increase the agitation. Students 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 simply pat them on the shoulder to reassure them.
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 down, 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 their tone to hear what is being said.
6. Provide an honorable avenue of escape for the client by letting them know that it is acceptable to end the session early. Know when to terminate a session. Do not become so focused on the task that warning signs of a potentially dangerous situation are ignored. Offer to reschedule the appointment. 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: glassy eyes, dilated pupils, staggering, odor of alcohol or marijuana, 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 must be a priority of the agency and the student. Safety on home visits is discussed in the field course and Skills Lab course. Students must conduct, at a minimum, the first two home visits for each placement (generalist and advanced practice) 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 MSW Field Director if they have any questions or concerns.

1. Students should notify their field instructor that they will be making a home visit. Give specific information about the destination and approximate arrival and departure times. If they are concerned about seeing a client, they should ask for assistance or take another worker with them.
2. When visiting a community or making home visits, students should not wear expensive jewelry or do things that will make them stand out. Dress in a manner conducive to field activities. Students should wear clothes that will allow them to run if necessary.
3. When they are in the local neighborhood, they should scan the environment and be aware of what is happening around them.
4. A cellphone is very useful. Be sure the phone is fully charged.

Make a courtesy call letting the client know you will be arriving, what vehicle you will be driving and to please restrain any animals in the yard or home.

5. They should carry themselves in a confident, professional manner, sending a message they are here for a purpose and remain respectful of those in the community. 
6. If they are in an unfamiliar building and are using the elevator, they should try to get on an unoccupied elevator.
7. When knocking on the door of a dwelling, pay attention to the sounds from inside. If a heated argument is taking place, students should not enter the home but can call to schedule a follow-up visit.
8. Students should always identify themselves, and should not enter the dwelling until they are invited in. Once inside, they should not sit down until they are invited and choose a seat close to a door or exit.
9. Students should remember they are in the client’s territory. Home visits are not inherently dangerous; however, people may react differently when they are on their territory.
10. If there are animals in the home, students should not assume they will not harm them. Ask the client to please restrain the animal or put it in another room.
11. Students should not turn their back on an irate client but keep them in their vision always.
12. When in a client’s home, they should be aware of the other people who are also there. Their behaviors such as drug taking, violence, and extreme anger should also be considered when assessing risk.
13. If students observe drugs or weapons, they should reschedule the visit and leave as soon as possible.
14. It is important for students to find out about the communities where they will be working and discuss with their field instructor and other workers at the agency. If working in a high-crime area, they should discuss specifically what the safety guidelines are with the field instructor. Students should not go into high-crime areas at night.
15. When making home visits, students should ask the client about any safety concerns in their neighborhood and recommended safety strategies.
16. It is important to have the car keys in hand. Always lock the car, once in the car, and after getting out.
17. If placing personal items in the car trunk, they should do it before they leave the office to avoid calling attention to the act or simply leave the items in the office.
18. Always make sure the car has sufficient gas before leaving the office. Students should consider a plan for incidents of car trouble, a flat tire, inclement weather, or other potential emergencies. Ensure there is emergency equipment in the car, such as a flashlight, jumper cables, and emergency road kit.
19. When parking the car, choose a spot that is close to a light. Park as close to the destination as possible. Make sure the car is pointed in the direction to leave.
20. Students should NOT transport clients in their personal automobile or in the agency vehicle. Discuss this with the field instructor at the preplacement interview to avoid unexpected requests from the agency to do so.

 The student should avoid “shopping” or running errands for the client.

21. Before leaving the office, make sure to have the correct directions and phone numbers. Get a map, use mapping services such as MapQuest, or use a GPS device to plan the trip. If lost, go to a well-lit, busy gas station or convenience store to ask directions