Academic Programs - Field Education
Responsibilities of Field Instructors
During the period of field placement, field instructors have the responsibility to provide regular and structured supervisory and instructional meetings with their assigned student. A minimum of at least one hour per week is required.
Additionally, the field instructor is responsible for working with the student to develop a Field Learning Plan during the first two weeks of the term. The Field Learning Plan is a collaborative effort that takes into account the educational assessment of the student, the educational objectives of the School of Social Work, and the opportunities available within or in conjunction with the approved field site. It is a detailed plan for the student's learning while in field placement and serves as a guide for ongoing supervision and for final evaluation.
The final evaluation, signing of the time sheet, written narrative, and recommended grade are also the responsibility of the field instructor.
Implied within the qualifications and responsibilities of field instructors is that field instructors
- Have the capacity to conceptualize and transmit knowledge;
- Are committed to the values and ethics of the social work profession and have the capacity to operationalize them in practice through field instruction;
- Can identify appropriate learning opportunities within the agency that can be utilized to enhance the student's knowledge and practice skills;
- Can perform an educational assessment;
- Have knowledge of and can apply adult learning concepts;
- Can select appropriate teaching material;
- Assess the progress in relation to mutually agreed upon educational and learning goals;
- Use the supervisory relationship in a constructive manner;
- Work collaboratively with the field liaison;
- Express commitment to professional education through safeguarding the field instruction process by preparing supervisory and instructional meetings, through communication with the field liaison, and in participating in School of Social Work seminars specific to Field Instruction.
Field instruction is often the first step in the socializing of the social work student into the profession. Thus the responsibilities of the field instructor play an important role in the professional development of the student.
For additional information about the BASW and MSW Programs, curriculum, and the field instruction process, please refer to the Field Education Manual. For a complete schedule of trainings, please refer to the Field Training Calendar. For information about the Field Instructor Orientation Seminar and Seminar Series in Field Instruction on main campus, please phone (412) 648-5941. Contact the MSW Program Coordinator at UPB at 814-362-7527 and at UPJ at 814-269-7070.
The Field Training Calendar 2009-2010
To review foundation competency based learning plans and evaluation forms please see the below list:
Generalist Example – Foundation FLP
Generalist Example – Foundation Evaluation
Addiction Example – Foundation FLP
Addiction Example – Foundation Evaluation
Inpatient Mental Health Example – Foundation FLP
Inpatient Mental Health Example – Foundation Evaluation
Gerontology Example – Foundation FLP
Gerontology Example – Foundation Evaluation