Field Instructor Requirements
The required credentials and practice experience for field instructors are specified in the Field Education Handbook. Those interested in becoming field instructors must complete and submit a Field Instructor Profile. The field office assesses each application to ensure prospective BSW/MSW field instructors meet the criteria.
BSW program field instructor criteria:
- A baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Two years post-social work degree practice experience in social work.
- Demonstrated interest in teaching, supervision, and continuing education.
- Ability to complete field instructor training
- Ability to provide weekly supervision to assigned students.
MSW program field instructor criteria:
- A master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Two years post-social work degree practice experience in social work.
- Demonstrated interest in teaching, supervision, and continuing education.
- Ability to complete field instructor training
- Ability to provide weekly supervision to assigned students.
If a sudden change in supervision occurs and a qualified Field Instructor is not available to supervise a student, the Field Office explores alternative supervisory arrangements within the agency and with the student to enable placement continuance. In rare situations, a Field Office or Faculty member may assume the role of External Field Instructor to ensure the social work perspective is reinforced and the student is able to maintain their agency placement and fulfill Learning Contract requirements.
Field Instruction Training and Orientation
The Field Office orients new field supervisors to the functions of field instruction and their responsibilities as field instructors for the School of Social Work; the Field Office meets with new field supervisors individually to provide overview information and learn more about the supervisor. Supervisors are asked to complete an interest form and to review the Field Education Handbook.
To best support field supervisors, the SSW provides an online field instructor training that all supervisors are encouraged to complete as part of their onboarding. This training is offered virtually at least one time per semester and is approved for 1 hour of continuing education (CE) in West Virginia. The training is also posted online and may be viewed at any time, however only the live presentations are approved for continuing education. The field instructor training covers the following content areas: Placement process and overview of field education; agency orientation components, supervision best practices; learning contract development and evaluation completion and incorporating the Code of Ethics into supervision.
The SSW offers other no cost continuing education opportunities to field instructors as a gesture of appreciation for the important service they are providing to students, the SSW, and the greater social work community.
External Field Instructor + Site Supervisor Model
In placement situations requiring an External Field Instructor and Site Supervisor, the roles work collaboratively to ensure student learning activities and agency engagement are aligned. Site Supervisors work with the student and provide guidance, mentorship, and participate in the student’s Learning Contract development, time report approval, and assessment processes, while the External Field Instructor provides weekly social work supervision and primary oversight of the placement. The primary responsibilities for each of the roles are as follows.
Off-site/External Field Instructor
- Must meet criteria for BSW or MSW Field Instructor, as appropriate
- Lead student in integrating social work theory and concepts in practice environments and service settings and fulfill educational teaching functions.
- Work collaboratively with student and Site Supervisor to develop and finalize student Learning Contract.
- Provide weekly social work supervision sessions with student and review progress toward competency development and Learning Contract activity completion.
- Review, provide feedback, and provide final approval to students’ time reports.
- Participate in student Site Visit with Faculty Field Liaison, Site Supervisor, and student and share updates and details around student progress.
- Provide insight around student competency development and finalize Supervisor Assessments of student progress for midterm and final evaluations and grade recommendations.
- Communicate and collaborate with Site Supervisor, Faculty Field Liaison, and student as needed for problem-solving and placement success.
- Assumes responsibility for reinforcing a social work perspective with student.
Site Supervisor
- Must meet Site Supervisor criteria.
- Assume primary responsibility for student onboarding, agency orientation, and schedule development.
- Work collaboratively with student and External Field instructor to develop and finalize student Learning Contract.
- Assume primary responsibility for daily supervision of student and the student’s work, as outlined in the Learning Contract and submitted in time reports.
- Participate in student Site Visit with Faculty Field Liaison, External Field Instructor, and student and share updates and details around student progress.
- Provide insight around student competency development and develop initial draft of Supervisor Assessments of student progress for midterm and final evaluations.
- Communicate and collaborate with External Field Instructor, Faculty Field Liaison, and student as needed for problem-solving and placement success.
Tips for External Field Instructors
- Get a basic overview of the setting your student is working in
- Establish a standing appointment for supervision
- Establish a pattern for meeting collectively with student and site supervisor (monthly?)
- Ensure you have a copy of the field syllabus
- Instruct your student to plan an agenda for supervision including: an overview of their activities, questions, any areas where they see course content applying to their work
- Discuss time management and professionalism
- For virtual students, help them to construct a weekly schedule and discuss ongoing low priority virtual work they can do when agency assignments are not available