Masters of Social Work Field Experience:

Apply for Field

Meditrek, a product of HSoft Corporation, is the user-friendly online tool that you will use to apply for, track, and manage your practicum experience.

You will use Meditrek to submit your field application (s) during week 2 of your Skills lab Course.   

Your application will include:

Application Form

• This is a pre-built form in Meditrek you will complete that includes information such as your student ID, contact information, emergency contact information, and current address.

Your Resume

• This should be professional and appropriate to share with potential agencies. 

Certificate of Professional Liability Insurance

• You must obtain Professional Liability Insurance prior to beginning your placement. You must acquire your own malpractice insurance policy, even if you are covered by your field sites insurance policy. 
• You 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.
• You are required to be insured at the onset of the field placement until the placement ends. In instances where the insurance certificate that was sent with the application expires during field, you must submit your current insurance certificate to the field office through Meditrek.
• 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.

Home Visit Waiver Form

• This is a pre-built form in Meditrek you will need to read, review and sign. 

All parts of your application must be completed before your application can be submitted for review. Your application is NOT complete if you do not click the "submit" button within Meditrek. 

Application Deadline: This is the date your application is due in Meditrek. You can submit your application earlier than this date; however, the review may be delayed if you have submitted early.

• You will be assigned a Field Experience Coordinator after your application is accepted. 

Lead Agency Form Deadline: You should submit a prospective agency in Meditrek by this date. The placement doesn't need to be secured by then, but you should contact the agency prior to submitting their information. 

Field Placement Deadline: This is the final deadline to have an approved field placement. Your Field Experience Coordinator partners with you to ensure sites can provide an appropriate Field Experience as outlined by the CSWE guidelines. Site paperwork, tasks, and conversations must be completed prior to this date. 

Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the field office.

Returned Applications

Submitted applications may be returned to you for the following reasons:

• Academic Readiness 

If we cannot confirm you have met all the academic requirements to be ready to begin field, we will return your application with the "pending readiness" status and re-review once we can confirm your readiness. 

• Missing Resume

This is a required document for your application. You will have three days from the application deadline or the date of your returned application (whichever is later) to submit your resume. Once you have resubmitted, your application will be reviewed within 3 days.

• Proof of PLI Coverage

If you do not provide the proper proof of insurance, we will return your application. You will have three days from the application due date or the date of your returned application (whichever is later) to submit your proof of PLI. Once you have resubmitted, your application will be reviewed within 3 days. 

Application Acceptance

If all parts of your application are correct, it will be accepted. Watch for your application approval email which will include your assigned Field Experience Coordinator, who will assist you with securing a placement. 

Safety training is required prior to each of your field placements. You will complete this week 2 of skills lab.

Concise and direct communication with the Field Office can provide a timely response.

1. Unlike Student Success Advising, the Field Office is unable to text. You can contact the field office via email or phone.
   1. When contacting the field office, please be clear about your request. This will lead to a clearer response from the field office.
   2. If you have been assigned a coordinator, please address them in your email.
2. Clarify what you are requesting.
   1. Provide context regarding your situation. This may include specific names of the people you are contacting and outlining the steps of your actions prior to sending your request.
   2. Clearly state your request (e.g. search assistance or information about general field requirements)
3. If you prefer a certain contact method, please inform the Field Office.
   1. Do you best receive information via phone or email?
   2. If you request a call, please specify a good day and time to reach you, including an accurate phone number.
4. The Field Office works with hundreds of students each term. Some of the requests received may take time to research or follow up with other parties. Therefore, we ask that once you have contacted the Field Office, please allow up to 48 hours for a response before contacting our office again. Please see below for an example of a quality, detailed email to the Field Experience Office

Example:  

“Hello Field Experience Coordinator,

The first agency I am interested in interning with cannot accommodate or move forward with me because they cannot meet program requirements and expectations. I am still trying to contact other agencies but wanted to check with you to see if you have any tips or resources for me.

Respectfully,

Student

5. Check your Walden email daily and read emails fully.

• Please use your Walden email address for all communication with the field office. 
• It is crucial to read emails in their entirety. Valuable information is shared such as field experience policies, requirements, deadlines, and expectations.
• This will save time and provide you a better understanding of what the process is like during your Field Experience and/or provide an update on next steps in the process.

6. Communicating through phone
   1. Requesting a phone appointment
      1. If you would like to speak with your Field Experience Coordinator, please request a phone appointment and inform them what your questions are.
      2. Please outline several days and times you’re available.
   2. Calling your Field Experience Coordinator
      1. If you call your Field Experience Coordinator and cannot reach them, please leave a voicemail.
      2. Do not call back multiple times a day; your Field Experience Coordinator will return your call within 48 hours.
      3. You can always send ONE follow up email after a missed phone call.