Field Education
Manual
Florida State
University College of
Social Work
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Table of Contents
Field Eligibility Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 2
Students in Filed Placement /Field Veterans Preference Policy ................................................................... 3
The Field Application and placement process ………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Military/Reserve Duty Policy ........................................................................................................................ 4
Jury Duty Policy ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Inclement Weather Policy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Out of State Internship Policy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
Students Working Full-time…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
Nights/Weekends Policy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
Social Leadership Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Social Media Policy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
Agency Orientation of Student to Field Placemen………………………………………………………………………………….10
Employment Based Proposal (EBP)………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Student Policies and Procedures in Field Placement .................................................................................. 12
Student Learning Expectations and Responsibilities ................................................................................. 15
Role of the MSW and Task Supervisor ....................................................................................................... 18
Safety Policy ............................................................................................................................................... 19
Sexual Harassment Policy .......................................................................................................................... 22
Termination Policies and Procedures ........................................................................................................ 24
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FIELD ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Student
Type
Semesters
Fall and
Spring
(16 weeks)
Hours Per
Week
Total Hours
Seminar
BSW
1 Semester
32
512
YES
BSW
Part-Time
2 Semesters 16 – 20 256 YES
MSW 1
st
Year
1 Semester 27 432 YES
MSW 1
st
Year
2 Semesters 14 216
YES
(Included)
MSW
Advanced
1 Semester 32 512 YES
MSW
Advanced
Part-Time
2 Semesters
16 - 20
256
(advanced)
YES
Student
Type
Semester
Summer
(12– weeks)
Hours Per
Week
Total Hours
Seminar
BSW
1 Semester
40
480
YES
BSW
Part-time
2 Semesters 20 256 YES
MSW 1
st
Year
1 Semester 36 432 YES
MSW 1
st
Year
Part-Time
2 Semesters
17
216
YES
(Included)
MSW
Advanced
1 Semester 40 480 YES
MSW
Advanced
Part-Time
2 Semesters
20
256
(advanced)
YES
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FIELD ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA
Students are expected to meet eligibility criteria prior to entering field. Students must be cleared
academically through the BSW and MSW programs respectively to assure:
1. All prerequisites are completed at the BSW level
2. All social work courses are completed at the BSW and MSW level and all incomplete grades must be
satisfied.
3. A 3.0-grade point average has been achieved in social work courses
4. If a student is on academic probation the semester prior to entering field the following has to occur:
4. a. The student can meet with a field faculty member to review placement options and begin the field
process.
5. Once grades post, if the student does not meet the required GPA, the student will not enter field and
will be required to inform the internship site of their inability to begin the internship.
STUDENTS IN FIELD PLACEMENT
Internship hours can only be accrued during the semester(s) for which the student is enrolled in the
internship. Hours clocked prior to the start or subsequent to the end of the semester, when such hours
have not been previously specifically approved by the Office of Field Education, may not be counted as
hours towards completion of the internship. Students are encouraged to work directly with the Office of
Field Education and the faculty liaison to ensure that their internship participation corresponds with the
University’s academic calendar during university breaks.
Students cannot intern during university breaks. Students will be allowed with permission to complete
onboarding/training prior to the start of a semester. University provides general liability protection and
professional patient/ client care liability protection for students at Florida State University while
engaged in pre-approved courses of study and training programs.
Veterans Preference Policy
Students who have served in the military or National Guard will receive preference for a placement
interview at the Veterans Administration (VA). The student will inform field faculty of their interest via
the field application and during the intern interview.
In order to receive an interview preference for a VA field placement, the student must provide
verification of service (DWI) in the military or the National Guard.
"If the VA selected has a different policy regarding the referral preference, the Office of Field Education
will defer to the VA policy."
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The Field Application and placement process
Field applications are required of each student entering field. The process of entering field is
multifaceted, therefore, to assure students can be placed in a timely manner, it is important to adhere
to designated deadline dates. Field applications are submitted through our on-line system InPlace, and
deadline dates established must be adhered to as published.
All students will be required to attend field planning meetings (on campus students) and field planning
webinars (online students).
Students enter field according to their program of study and are not expected to deviate from their
program of study.
Once the application deadline ends, students cannot complete their internship until the following
semester. Main campus students interested in interning outside of Tallahassee in geographical areas
coved by an area coordinator will work directly with the area coordinator. Out-of-state placements are
reserved for online students who live in the respective geographical areas. Main campus students who
request an out of sate internship must meet criteria and be approved by the Director of Field Education.
Students interested in interning internationally will need to contact the Director of International
Programs at least two semesters prior to entering field. Those exploring such placements are
also responsible for meeting all CSW field deadline dates as posted by the CSW field office.
Students interning internationally are required to schedule a field interview with the Director of
Field Education the semester prior to beginning field to ensure the field process is completed.
Military/Reserve Duty Policy
Students serving in the military and/or a reserve unit called to duty during field placement will provide a
copy of their orders. The student will receive an incomplete in the field and seminar courses. Upon
return from duty, the placement will resume with the initial agency or a placement established with
another agency if warranted. Hours earned prior to serving will be counted towards the required hours
for the placement.
Jury Duty
Students selected for jury duty or chosen to serve as a juror during their field placement will attend. A
copy of the summons will be placed in the student's file. Hours missed while attending jury selection or
duty will have to be completed prior to the semester ending. If the jury selection or duty occurs at the
end of the semester hours will be completed at the start of the next semester.
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Inclement weather Policy
If your agency is closed due to inclement weather, per University policy students are required
to make up hours. It is important to follow the direction of the agency. If you live in an
evacuation zone, the student must notify the agency and their seminar instructor/faculty
liaison/area coordinator of their absence as soon as possible.
OFFICE OF FIELD EDUCATION
Out of State / Post MSW Degree Internships (Main Campus Only)
Campus-based students who meet criteria at the BSW or MSW level completing a final or advanced
placement will only be considered for an out of state internship if they meet the following criteria: death
or serious illness of an immediate family member, military duty of student or spouse, and/or relocation
due to student or spouse’s employment. Documentation of the above criteria will be required.
On-line students who live in Florida will complete their placement in the geographical area they live.
Consideration will also be given to students presented with an exceptional opportunity for enhanced
learning in environments such as think tanks or other distinguished settings. The process for
consideration is as follows:
•Students will submit a request identifying the reason for the out-of-state internship. The request form
can be obtained from the Office of Field Education.
• Students must initiate their plans to intern out of state two semesters before beginning their field
placement.
• Students will be responsible for identifying 3-5 agencies and provide the contact persons, email
addresses, and telephone numbers to the Director of Field Education. Students should not proceed with
arranging a placement until approved by the Office of Field Education.
• Field faculty will contact the agency to evaluate and determine if the agency can meet the educational
goals and criteria of the College of Social Work.
• Students must be aware that they may be required to return to Tallahassee if their out of state
internship experience becomes problematic, and it is deemed necessary to terminate.
• Individuals requesting internships post-MSW degree to seek licensure within the State of Florida will
follow the procedures outlined above. Requests from outside the State of Florida will be declined.
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Students Working Full-Time
Students working full-time should expect to significantly reduce or discontinue their work commitments
to accommodate the demands of the field education placement. The competing demands of field
education, other classes, and full-time employment tend to distract from the overall learning experience
of all educational activities. It is NOT recommended that students work full-time and attend field full-
time. Students will not be allowed to intern more than 40 hours a week in any internship.
OFFICE OF FIELD EDUCATION
Student Field Education Internship Agreement (Nights/Weekends Policy)
Evenings (after 5 pm) and weekend placements are not offered. Students will need to make plans to
complete hours per week during normal daytime hours. All field hours are negotiated with the field
placement agency, allowing for attendance at orientations, trainings, case staffing, and supervision
during the day.
I also understand the following must occur for me to be eligible for an internship:
• BSW students have a 3.0 Social Work GPA, with all required coursework completed.
• MSW 1st Year students maintain a 3.0 Cumulative GPA with all required course work completed.
• MSW 1st Year students pass SOW 5308: Social Work Practice before entering the internship.
• All incomplete grades are satisfied.
• All performance improvement plans are fulfilled.
Students in the BSW or MSW Program will be required to complete a minimum of 512 hours as a BSW or
MSW 2nd year / Advanced Standing student per semester. If completing your internship part-time, you
are required to complete a minimum of 256 hours. As a 1st year MSW student, you will be required to
complete 432 hours a semester. If you are completing your internship part-time, you will be required to
complete 216 per semester. Summer hours may differ as it is a shorter semester. See hours chart on
page 3 of the field manual.
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Social Leadership Field Policy
Social leadership students are expected to complete their field placements in Tallahassee. The College of
Social Work is not responsible for securing out of area placements for social leadership students, unless
students meet criteria for interning out of the area. Students interested in exploring an internship out
of the area will need to contact the Social Leadership liaison 8-12 weeks prior to the start of the
semester the student will intern. Contact the Office of Field Education to connect with the Social
Leadership liaison.
Social Media Policy
SOCIAL NETWORKS
Public social networks are not private. Even when open only to approved or invited members, users
cannot be guaranteed that privacy will exist among the general membership of sites. If social work
students choose to participate in such forums, please assume that anything posted can be seen, read,
and critiqued. What is said, posted, linked to, commented on, uploaded, subscribed to, etc. (to Florida
State University and/or the College of Social Work, can be accessed and archived, posing potential harm
to professional reputations and prospective careers. Social work students who use social media (e.g.,
Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and other forms of electronic communication (e.g., blogs, etc.) should be
mindful of how their communication may be perceived by clients, colleagues, faculty, future employers,
and others. Social work students are expected to make every effort to minimize material that could be
considered inappropriate for a professional social worker in training. Because of this, social work
students should manage security settings at their most private levels and avoid posting
information/photos or using any language that could jeopardize their professional image. Students
should consider the amount of personal information posted on these sites and should block client access
to involvement in the students' social networks.
SOCIAL MEDIA and NASW CODE OF ETHICS
Students are expected to adhere to social work values, ethics and engage in professional conduct as
outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics when using social media communication tools, whether using a
personal site(s), agency site(s), or University site(s). Common issues that students need to understand,
and manage when utilizing social media include, but are not limited to, privacy and confidentiality
(Section 1.07), conflicts of interest and dual relationships (Section 1.06), and informed consent (Section
1.03) in our relationships with clients, colleagues, and in our practice settings. Utilizing social media
communication tools as a social work student requires ongoing attention to these ethical challenges.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidential client information should not be shared in any form of electronic media, including any
information that might lead to the identification of a client or information that may compromise client
confidentiality in any way. Social work students should consider that they will be representing
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professional social work practice as well as the FSU School of Social Work while in the classroom, within
the University, and throughout the broader community
.
BOUNDARIES
To maintain appropriate professional boundaries, social work students should avoid "friending" clients,
that is, allowing clients to connect with your personal Facebook, Twitter, or other personal social media
accounts. Students should also maintain appropriate professional boundaries with professors, field
educators, and other professionals at their field agencies.
ENTERING FIELD INTERNSHIPS
As internships begin, it may be helpful for students to explore the following questions with your field
educator and/or task supervisor.
• Does your agency have a policy on the use of social media communication tools? If so,
review the policy with your field instructor. If not, what expectation does the
agency have
regarding the use of social media during field hours?
• How much personal information is shared with clients and former clients as well as
agency staff and professional colleagues?
• What are the most common ethical concerns you should be aware of when using
social media as a social work student?
• What are the agency guidelines regarding the use of Facebook or Snapchat etc. and
who can you friend?
• What privacy and confidentiality concerns should I consider when texting, emailing,
and/or using Twitter?
• Can I check my personal social media accounts during field hours?
TIPS TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ONLINE PRESENCE
•
Clean up your digital image. Remove any pictures, content, or links that can send the
wrong message to employers. Ask yourself, "How do I show up in the world?" Try a
Google
search on yourself periodically to see what comes up.
•
Remember the internet is public domain. They are called social networking sites for a
reason. It is becoming commonplace for employers to do an online search for candidates
before making job offers. A good guideline is to not put anything out on a
social
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networking site that you would not want to see on the front page of the paper.
•
Use social networking sites to your advantage. Maintain your online profile by
portraying an image consistent with how you want to be perceived. Your profile is a
way
for you to demonstrate to employers your communication skills using proper grammar
and spelling. Convey your professional image by choosing your photo and your screen
name carefully. Include great references on your profile from a variety of different
people to "paint" a positive professional image of yourself.
•
Be thoughtful about your posts. There is no expectation of privacy when using social
media. Consider what could happen if a post becomes widely known and how that may
reflect on both you, the College of Social Work, the agency and/or the University. Search
engines can turn up posts years after they are created, and comments can be forwarded
or copied. If you wouldn't say it at a conference or to a member of the media, consider
whether you should post it online. If you are
unsure about posting something or
responding to a comment, seek advice from your supervisor, Faculty Field Liaison, or the
Director of Field Education.
•
SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES WITHIN THE AGENCY
• Do not refer to agencies or clients on social media.
• Use the highest privacy settings available.
• Do not search for client or client information.
• Do not "friend" current or past clients.
• Do not share personal information (cell, email, address) with current or past clients.
• Posts, pictures, comments, etc. can easily be taken out of context think about the
message that can be interrupted by others.
• Communication in texts, WhatsApp, and other IM or social media with peers, colleagues,
or supervisors (if allowed) should be cautiously used due to the ease of impulsive,
reactive, and potentially out-of-context communications.
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AGENCY ORIENTATION OF
THE STUDENT TO FIELD PLACEMENT
Students should be given a comprehensive orientation to the placement and to the agency immediately
upon their arrival. Supervisors should plan to greet the student on the first day of the internship and
introduce them to as many of the staff as possible. It is preferable for the supervisor to inform
appropriate personnel in advance of the student’s placement and advise them of ways the staff can
participate in the student’s learning experience.
It is also important for students to have a work area that allows them to feel like a professional and an
integral part of the agency structure. A desk, access to a telephone, and appropriate work supplies
should be provided for the student before they begin the placement.
It is also recommended that the following items and procedures be provided in the orientation material
in writing to all students by the agency and/or supervisor.
ORIENTATION CONTENT
• A written orientation schedule outlining dates and times of agency orientation, in addition to
the content that will be covered.
• Written expectations concerning dress requirements, leave time and holidays, attendance
requirements, etc.
• The agency needs to specify agency information concerning administrative structure with names
and titles of administrative staff, financial structure, pertinent policies, and procedures, etc.
• Information concerning insurance requirements by agency and insurance coverage provided
(i.e., professional liability, workman’s compensation automobile insurance if clients are to be
transported by student).
• Specify agency recording requirements. Provide copies of all forms in addition to outlines for
intake, psychosocial assessments, transfer forms, social history and diagnostic summaries, and
all other required reports.
• Written statement of how student is to identify self in (1) written recording in agency records;
(2) written reports, correspondence, and other written material; and (3) oral contacts with
clients, families, and others.
• informed consent form and its use; information on privileged communication if it applies,
information on what can and cannot be released without client’s consent; explanation of what
to do if subpoenaed, etc.
• Outline written procedures for handling client emergencies (i.e., suicidal or homicidal threats,
issue of duty to warn, etc.).
• Give the student a copy of the agency personnel manual, including written procedures
concerning student responsibilities, etc.
• Written description of agency security precautions and safety procedures.
• Expectations concerning supervision responsibilities, supervisory conference times, style and
content of supervision provided, other pertinent supervision issues.
• NASW Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PROPOSAL (EBP)
Traditionally, Social Work field placements are educationally focused, unpaid training experiences in
Social Work settings, which are selected, based on the student’s level and/or concentration in their
program of studies. There are some situations, however, in which paid employment or a position within
your place of employment can meet the standards for field placements, and which can be accepted
based on criteria as outlined in this document by the Office of Field Education.
Students can request to intern at their agency if the position meets criteria or if the student is moved
into another program or position that meets criteria. A second internship can occur at the same agency
if the internship occurs in a different program.
The guiding principle for these decisions is the field placement experience must constitute new learning
for the student: i.e., a new population, utilizing new treatment methodology, and/or in a new field of
practice. Another principle is to have appropriate MSW supervision and an opportunity to apply theories
and knowledge from the classroom in a practice setting. Our program organizes course requirements
and field education in a particular sequence, which is structured in that way for educational reasons.
Therefore, this new learning opportunity must fall at a certain point in the program of studies and
additionally must meet our established objectives for field placements.
All students must be supervised by an MSW with 2 years post graduate experience. The activities must
be congruent with the student’s concentration or level (graduate or undergraduate) in the program.
Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to the course objectives for field education.
Placement in one’s agency of employment may be arranged when the following additional criteria exist.
The agency agrees to:
a) Provide the student with an MSW Field Educator. Prospective Field Educators must have at least
two years of post-master’s work experience, and be willing to attend the College’s 16- hour Field
Educators training course or comparable training in your area until the Field Educator’s training
can be completed. Students must receive one hour of weekly (fulltime students) or one-hour of
bi-weekly (Part-time Students) individual supervision with the Field Educator.
b) Provide the student with education-focused learning opportunities, based on the College’s Field
Education objectives, which differ from regular job responsibilities and are appropriate for
student’s learn
c) Collaborate with the College's Field Liaison, who will carefully monitor the arrangement.
NOTE: A student who agrees to an Employment-Based internship acknowledges that an alteration or a
disruption in employment may adversely affect the field internship, and disruption in field may adversely
affect the student’s employment. A disruption may also delay graduation if applicable.
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STUDENT POLICIES & PROCEDURES IN FIELD PLACEMENT
REPORTING TO THE FIELD AGENCY
All students are to report to the agency on the date determined by the College and the agency (usually
the first day of the semester) but not before the first day of the semester for which they have registered
unless prior permission has been granted by the Office of Field Education. Students will adhere to
regular agency hours as established by the field educator and are responsible for immediately notifying
the field educator any time they will be late in reporting to the agency, or absent for any reason.
No student is allowed to report to an agency and begin an internship until the self-placement form has
been submitted. Should a student fail to follow this procedure, she/he will not receive credit for hours
earned until the self-placement form has been properly submitted.
LEAVE TIME
Students are expected to act responsibly in their internships. Any compensatory time accumulated
(which should be minimal) can be taken only with the permission and pre-approval of the agency field
educator. The Office of Field Education must be notified by the student of any extended (more than
three days) leave time or illness. Any leave time taken must be coordinated with the agency supervisor.
Students reported for excessive absences in the internship may receive a grade of "U," Unsatisfactory, in
the course and will be required to make up the time deficiency. Other policies regarding leave time are
as follows.
Students are expected to adhere to agency hours and holidays, NOT FSU holidays. An agency holiday
that falls on a student’s scheduled internship day counts as hours the student is scheduled to work.
For Full-time students twenty-four hours (24) and for part-time students, twelve hours (12) of leave time
is allowed for an illness and/or family emergency (death or illness) or personal business. If excused, they
will count as hours earned. Students must communicate with their field educators directly prior to
taking these days. Arrangements must be made with the field educator to make up any time beyond 24
hours for full-time students and 12 hours for part-time students. In addition, the student must notify the
assigned faculty liaison and/or the Office of Field Education regarding any extended absences from the
placement of more than 24 hours or for part-time students 12 hours per semester.
Due to the hours required, Spring Break cannot be observed for students in internships during the
Spring semester.
Students placed outside of Tallahassee to include online students and are attending their graduation are
allowed two days of travel time at the end of their internships, in order to attend their graduation. This
is time credited to the student ONLY with the supervisor/liaison's permission.
All other students are required to be in attendance during the last week of the internship. Under no
circumstances are students allowed to leave the placement early (beyond two (2) days) unless the Office
of Field Education, has granted special permission in advance. The agency supervisor and seminar
instructor must agree with the decision.
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STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
• Students are required to participate in a formal supervision meeting with their field educator, at
least one hour per week for full-time internships or biweekly for part-time internships.
• Students are required, with input from his/her field educator, to complete and adhere to an
Educational Plan: which can be found on the field website College of Social Work
(www.csw.fsu.edu), and if needed, a Performance Improvement Plan.
• Students will participate actively in midterm and final evaluations and ensure that due dates are
met. Evaluations must be submitted by the field educator via the on-line system by the designated
deadline. No paper copies will be accepted in the Field Office.
• Students must complete the Student Evaluation of the internship at the end of the semester. Failure
to do so will result in an “I,” Incomplete, for the course.
• Attend all required or invitational meetings, conferences, etc., occurring in the agency.
• Communicate openly with the field educator/task supervisor when assistance is needed, e.g.,
clarification of assignments, agency policy, etc.
• Maintain appropriate dress for the agency setting at all times.
• Contact a field faculty member, or the assigned faculty liaison, immediately when clarification is
needed, or a problem situation arises.
• Download and read the content of the “Field Reference Manual” thoroughly prior to entering the
placement.
• Maintain accountability of all hours earned in the internship. A timesheet is located in InPlace to
track internship hours.
• Keep up to date on ALL posted field information, as it is not possible to notify each student
individually of important deadlines. Students should routinely check the field website College of
Social Work (www.csw.fsu.edu) for important deadline dates and announcements.
• Notify the Office of Field Education of any special accommodations required in the internship
related to any disability at least three months prior to the semester the student is scheduled to
begin the field placement.
• Maintain responsibility for understanding and adhering to all policies and procedures of the
internship agency and the Office of Field Education. Noncompliance will result in the student’s
termination from the internship (refer to Office of Field Education Termination procedures). Provide
for health (required) and malpractice (if indicated by the agency as a requirement) insurance
coverage. If injured (non-emergency) during the internship, the Student Health Center is available
on campus.
LIAISON VISITS
A field faculty liaison/Area Coordinator is assigned to each student in an internship. A field visit will
occur in-person or virtually at least once during the internship. If ANY difficulties arise or adjustments
need to be made, the liaison MUST be contacted by the student and/or the field educator (It is much
easier to resolve issues early in the internship).) The role of the liaison is to act as a “bridge” between
the agency, University and the student. The visits are approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours in length and may
include time with both the student and the field educator. Additional visits may be scheduled as needed
to assist in problem-solving. If a problem is noted, the liaison/area coordinator will assist in formulating
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a written “Performance Improvement Plan” to clarify what and how a student and/or agency can
resolve a problem. The liaison may also share any other academic performance information necessary to
assist in the resolution of problems.
If the agency, student and/or field liaison/area coordinator feel that the agency is not appropriately
meeting the needs of the student, for any variety of reasons, the student may be changed to another
internship, if it has been documented that all efforts have been taken by the student and the agency to
correct any problems. The student should understand that a placement will be located as soon as
possible. Depending on the ability to locate a new placement, the student may have to wait another
semester to begin hours. Any change in an internship is coordinated with the permission of the Director
of Field Education and/or the faculty liaison. The faculty liaison will provide contact information.
EVALUATION AND GRADES
The student's MSW field instructor completes evaluations at midterm and at the end of the internship.
The MSW field instructor may also include feedback from any task supervisor who worked with the
student. Students are rated on a variety of competencies on a 1-5
Scale as follows:
1 = Failing level
2= Below expected level
3 = At expected level
4 = Above expected level
5= Outstanding level
NA = Not Applicable
IE= Insufficient Evidence
Midterm and final evaluations with ANY single evaluation criteria rated as a 1 or 2 (on the evaluation
forms) indicate that the student must demonstrate improved performance in that area. Failure to do so
could result in the student receiving a “U,” Unsatisfactory, in the field Education course, which is posted
at the completion of the final evaluation and all internship hours.
Continued poor performance or a single incident that is considered by the agency to be unprofessional
or unethical will result in termination from the internship (Refer to the Office of Field Education
Termination policy). This decision is made jointly by the agency supervisor and the field liaison, in
conjunction with the Director of Field Education, and can be made at any time during the internship.
If the student has not met minimum expectations (ALL ratings at “3” or above) by the due date of the
final evaluation, the field educator will complete the narrative portion of the evaluation specifying the
reasons for the student's failure to meet expectations, and the quantitative portion would clearly
indicate the inadequate, incomplete or unsatisfactory areas (all scores rated “1” or “2”). The field
educator will recommend, to the Office of Field Education, the grade “I” (Incomplete) if there are
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incomplete hours or assignments or “U,” Unsatisfactory, for unsatisfactory performance. It is the
responsibility of the Office of Field Education to assign grades based on the field educator’s
recommendation and feedback received from the student and the field liaison.
Students earning a grade of “U,” Unsatisfactory, in any field Education course may request a conference
with the Director of Field Education and/or the Associate Dean to discuss the nature of the
unsatisfactory grade. The Director of Field Education and the Associate Dean consider all aspects of the
situation and determine if another internship should be offered. The Office of Field Education is not
obligated to offer more than one internship and will not offer any more than two internships per field
Education course. Students can utilize the College of Social Work grade appeal process to dispute any
grade.
Students MUST submit a “STUDENT EVALUATION OF FIELD” at the end of the internship to receive a
final grade for the course. The evaluation forms are located on the field website College of Social Work
(www.csw.fsu.edu).
FAILURE TO RETURN ANY OF THE ABOVE EVALUATIONS BY THE SPECIFIED DUE DATES WILL RESULT IN
AN INCOMPLETE GRADE FOR THE COURSE.
RELEASE OF INFORMATION REGARDING STUDENTS:
At the request of a university attorney of the FSU Office of the General Counsel the statement quoted
below is to be considered in effect as of Spring 1984:
“The disclosure or publication of student information is governed by the policies of Florida State
University and the State of Education within the framework of state and federal laws, including the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The written consent of the student is required for the
disclosure or publication of any information that is: (1) personally identifiable of the student and (2) a
part of the educational record. This policy prohibiting the release of any protected educational record
pertaining to a student’s internship, externship, or field placement without the student’s written
consent, except as necessary to the University or its agents and employees, or if otherwise provided by
Fla. Stat. 228.093, extends to all internship, externship, or field placement agencies.”
STUDENT LEARNING EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Office of Field Education encourages all students entering field to identify their individual learning
needs and assume responsibility for shaping their educational process. Prior to beginning the internship,
on-campus and Panama City students are required to attend a Field Planning Meeting in which the
expectations and responsibilities of the field program are communicated, both verbally and in written
handouts. Online students are expected to attend two mandatory field planning webinars. Students are
also given information on preferred placement content based on the learning objectives of their
concentration.
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The following content areas are considered minimum expectations when structuring the internship
experience for clinical and generalist students:
• Provision of a comprehensive orientation of the student to the agency staff, client systems,
agency policies and procedures, safety concerns, supervision expectations and requirements,
casework requirements, legal and ethical requirements, etc.
• Substantial amount of client contact with approximately 50% of the time at the internship
involving direct work with clients. The student is expected to eventually begin carrying a small
caseload of his/her own.
• Exposure to one or more theoretical practice frameworks (with individuals couples, families, or
groups), either directly or through observation.
• Experience with case management and networking responsibilities.
• Experience with case recording and developing intervention plans.
• Completion of a bio-psychosocial assessment, process recordings, and/or video and audio
recordings with feedback from the field educator.
• Exposure to agency administrative meetings, policies and procedures, and case staffings.
• Exposure to inter-agency meetings or staffings.
• Exposure to a diverse client population.
• Exposure to advocacy experiences on a macro level, if possible.
• Completion of an Educational Plan outlining specific learning objectives and activities consistent
with the objectives of the student’s concentration.
• Provision of open communication with the field educator and faculty liaison on the quality of
field experiences and learning needs, in addition to areas of concern.
• Opportunity to participate in an agency-based research project, if possible.
The following content areas are considered minimum expectations when structuring the internship
experience for Social Leadership students:
• Provision of a comprehensive orientation of the student to the agency staff, client systems,
agency policies and procedures, safety concerns, supervision expectations and requirements,
casework requirements, legal and ethical requirements, etc.
• Completion of an Educational Plan outlining specific learning objectives and activities consistent
with the objectives of the student’s concentration.
• Provision of open communication with the field educator and faculty liaison.
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• Substantial amount of project management activities or tasks involving direct work with
developing documents, research/evaluation projects, policy analysis activities, or working on
tasks related to the agency mission and goals.
• Opportunity to assess and apply research methodology to evaluating agency effectiveness.
• Exposure to culturally competent administrative practices within the agency.
• Exposure to one or more organizational theories used in the agency.
• Opportunity to identify concepts and application of quality management of the agency.
• Exposure to advocacy experiences on a macro level
• Exposure to agency policy and implementation of policy
• Opportunity to plan and implement an organizational project and/or a community project
• Opportunity for involvement in the agency’s use of technology to manage data and to have
exposure to data management techniques
• Exposure to agency administrative, community and/or legislative meetings
FIELD EDUCATION PLAN
In order for students to maximize the field placement experience, a collaborative effort is required of
the field educator, the faculty liaison, and the individual student in the development of the student’s
Educational Plan which is an essential component of the practicum and an assurance on the part of the
agency that the necessary field experiences will be provided. Furthermore, it serves as a framework for
structuring the placement experiences for the benefit of the student, and it makes the learning focus
more explicit and educationally directed. The Educational Plan is also used as a primary instrument for
evaluating the student’s progress toward meeting his/her learning objectives throughout the semester.
The Educational Plan is developed at the beginning of the internship jointly between the student and
the field educator and is reviewed by the faculty liaison. At the time of the liaison’s visit to the agency to
meet with the student and field educator, the Educational Plan is discussed in detail to determine that
learning objectives have been met by specified target dates. Additional learning experiences are then
negotiated between the liaison, the field educator, and the student based on the learning needs of the
student and her/his current level of knowledge and skill. If certain objectives have not been met by the
student within the specified period of time, a Performance Improvement Plan is developed by the
faculty liaison and the field educator which identifies the student’s deficiency, the action to be
completed by the student in correcting the problem and the target date, the action to be taken by the
supervisor, and the completion date.
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ROLE OF THE MSW FIELD EDUCATOR & TASK SUPERVISOR
To ensure that all students in field placements receive educationally focused practice experience
embodying social work knowledge, values, and skills, each agency should provide an MSW field
educator, with two or more years of practice experience, to coordinate, direct and supervise students’
fieldwork. Field instructors never are to view their role only as ‘signing off’ on students’ activities.
The College of Social Work prefers but does not require field educators to be MSW employees in the
same agency and program in which students are being trained. All field instructors, whether employed
in another part of the agency or in a different agency, will meet the expectations outlined below.
Although most agencies assign MSW employees to work one-on-one with interns, there are a variety of
alternatives. Experienced MSW’s may coordinate internships (and meet with students at least one hour
a week for full-time internships, or at least one hour biweekly for part-time internships) while agency
supervisors without an MSW can provide daily task supervision. Group supervision is another
alternative.
THE MSW FIELD EDUCATOR WILL:
Supervise interns in their fieldwork, overseeing the entire range of field experience Ensure interns’
activities are meeting field instruction objectives within the first two to three weeks of internship,
develop and sign the intern’s educational contract and make ongoing revisions as necessary.
Maintain regular contact with the intern and other agency supervisors involved in the internship
Formally meet with the intern at least one hour a week (or one hour biweekly for part-time internships)
for direct supervision. This entails:
• Requiring interns prepare an agenda for the conferences.
• Giving interns feedback on their performance in a variety of ways (e.g., process recording,
videotaping, audiotaping, joint interviews, etc.).
• Focusing on interns’ skill development.
Keeping notes of observations and interactions with the intern, addressing a variety of topics,
including:
• Case reviews
• Analysis of programs or policies
• The impact of gender or ethnicity on practice and policy
• The NASW Code of Ethics
• Theoretical analysis of social work interventions
• Evaluating the interns’ strengths and weaknesses
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• Issues such as assertiveness, use of humor, rescuing, handling aggressive clients, coping with
stress, etc.
• Completion of the interns’ midterm and final performance evaluation, returning them to the
College by the posted deadline dates
• Becoming familiar with the College’s Office of Field Education Policies and Procedures
• Meeting with the College’s faculty liaison at least once each semester during the interns’
internship
• Notifying the field faculty liaison when problems arise
ROLE OF THE TASK SUPERVISOR
Some agencies assign other human service providers or administrators to be an intern’s task supervisor.
In these cases, interns still must meet with MSW field instructors at least one hour a week for a full-time
internship (or one hour every other week for part-time internship) for supervision and integration of
classroom theory and learning with practice experience.
Task supervisors maybe with specific, time-limited tasks or on a daily basis, directing day-to-day
activities, teaching and guiding them in their assignments, and giving them feedback on their
performance.
Basic expectations of all task supervisors include:
• participating in planning the internship
• reviewing and signing the student’s Educational Plan, making revisions as needed
• providing primary, direct supervision of the interns’ daily activities:
• assigning cases and projects congruent with students’ educational goals
• orienting students to the agency and their assignments
SAFETY POLICY
The College of Social Work wants to make our students aware that there are certain inherent risks in any
situation requiring 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
provide services in areas that provide reasonable access to clients served. Students entering field need
to be aware that most, if not all, field settings entail safety risks for clients, staff, and students alike.
Such risks are not solely student risks but risks that social work students must acknowledge throughout
the internship and as they begin their careers.
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The safety of students while engaging in internships is essential to the College of Social Work. It is
important that students feel safe to carry out their responsibilities in the field. Field Educators are
encouraged to make certain assigned interns review agency policies and procedures that guide the
agency. All students should receive an introduction to safety in the field during the agency orientation.
If safety concerns arise for a student, the student must discuss these safety concerns with their field
educator. If, after discussing the situation with a field educator and the student still does not feel safe
to carry out assignments, s/he is encouraged to renegotiate those assignments with the help of the field
educator. When appropriate, they should also consult the faculty liaison for assistance. The Field
Education Program strongly encourages students and agencies to notify the faculty liaison/area
coordinator when there are safety incidents that impact students.
HOME VISITS/COMMUNITY EVENTS
Students may be required to make home visits and/or attend community events if such tasks are
routinely requested of professional staff. Before completing visits independently, the student needs to
have shadowed and observed multiple home visits with agency staff members or supervisors. Agencies
are encouraged to provide students with the same equipment given to paid agency staff and volunteers
that are needed to complete the visits safely and efficiently. Students are prohibited from transporting
clients in their personal vehicles. Additionally, it is important to discuss guidelines for risk mitigation,
crisis response, and safety planning. Such discussion should include, but not be limited to safety issues in
the community, during home visits, within the agency building, and the security of personal belongings.
If students believe they are at personal risk on a home visit or within the agency or community event,
they should discuss their concerns immediately with their agency field educator to identify and
implement a solution to the concerns. Should the discussion fail to resolve the concerns reasonably, the
student should immediately contact their field liaison/area coordinator or the Director of Field
Education.
In addition to following your agency's safety policies and procedures, here are tips to aid in the success
of your home visit.
Prior to your home visit, the following steps are recommended
•
Make sure the field educator, task supervisor, and/or other agency staff know where you will be
going
o
provide them with the address (or names/chart number) of the clients you will be
visiting as well as the expected return time
o
ensure the client's address and contact information is up to date in the electronic
medical record system, or other database that all employees have access to.
•
Keep your phone charged and readily available.
o
Get the contact information for at least 3 staff members and store them in your phone.
•
Plan your route ahead of time.
•
Inform your client(s) ahead of time of your anticipated arrival time/scheduled appointment.
o
ask them to lock up any pets if needed.
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During the home visit
•
Park close to the home for easy exit
•
Lock your car doors.
•
Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle.
•
Keep your keys and phone easily retrievable for your departure.
•
Display confident verbal and non-verbal communication.
•
Meet your client in a main room, or outside (while still maintaining confidentiality)
•
Sit near an exit (as you would in an in-office visit)
Your agency may employ different applications and communication procedures related to safety. In
addition to those, here are some safety-related applications to consider installing and using on your
phone devices.
•
Smart Watcher
•
bSafe
•
Google Voice
•
Microsoft Teams
•
Crystal Alarm
•
Red Flag
•
One Call Now
•
Watch Over Me
•
First Aid: American Red Cross
•
Silent Beacon
•
React Mobile
•
Red Panic Button
Conflict of Interest/Dual Relationship:
Students may not have a direct or indirect supervisory relationship with a family member or close
personal friend including a prior or current relationship at the agency during their internship. In addition,
any student who holds an executive leadership position within an agency may not intern within that
agency. These situations would create a conflict of interest and/or dual relationship, which violates our
professional Code of Ethics.
Transportation of Clients:
Students are expected to follow agency guidelines on the transportation of clients and should be
accompanied by agency staff in the agency vehicle or the agency’s staff personal vehicle.
STUDENTS ILLNESS/INJURY IN FIELD
In the event a student is hurt, injured, or becomes ill during the internship or while under the
supervision of the Agency, the Agency shall arrange for immediate emergency medical care. However,
the Agency shall not be responsible for the cost of such care. Students are to have their own private
medical insurance (or University Student Medical Insurance) during the time they are enrolled in field
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education courses. Students are not to transport agency clients in their personal vehicles at any time.
The Field Education Program strongly encourages students and agencies to notify the faculty
liaison/area coordinator when there are safety incidents that impact students in field.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
Because students in field internship may not be covered by agency rules and procedures on sexual
harassment, these guidelines are established to address students’ claims of sexual harassment during an
internship.
Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964. Whether the harassment comes from the field educator or any other agency employee, it is
destructive to the learning and working environment, is demoralizing, and it adversely affects students’
performance in their internship. Even if the agency has no sexual harassment grievance policy, students
may make complaints of sexual harassment directly to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of
Education, or file a lawsuit. Students may also contact the Title IX Office within the University to report
sexual misconduct https://knowmore.fsu.edu/title-ix/meet-title-ix-office-staff/
.
DEFINITION
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines sexual harassment as: Unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal or other expressive behaviors or physical conduct of
a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when any one of three criteria is met:
• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of an
individual’s continued internship.
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for decisions or assessments
affecting the individual’s welfare as a student placed in the agency.
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with the
individual’s welfare, academic or professional performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile,
offensive, or demeaning workplace or educational environment.
FORMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment may take a variety of forms ranging from subtle pressure for sexual activity to
physical assault. Conduct defined as sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Threats of, or intimidation by unwilling, non-mutual sexual contact.
• Continual or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature, including graphic commentaries about a
person’s body, sexually degrading words to describe the person or propositions of a sexual
nature.
• Threats or insinuations that the person’s employment, grades, wages, promotional
opportunities, classroom or work assignments, or other conditions of a continued internship
may be adversely affected by refusing sexual advances
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Sexual harassment may be physical, verbal, or nonverbal
Physical touching, holding, grabbing, hugging, kissing, “accidental collisions,” other unwanted physical
contact, and, in the worst cases, physical assault and rape.
Verbal offensive jokes, offensive language, threats, comments, or suggestions of a sexual nature.
Nonverbal staring at a person’s body, leaning over the intern at a desk, offensive gestures or motions,
circulating sexually suggestive letters or cartoons, and other sexually oriented behavior.
CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIPS
Students and faculty members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects favorably
on the College of Social Work. What students or faculty may choose to do in private is outside the
boundaries of the College relationships. As a result, they may not be subject to disciplinary action for
having private contact. However, if a faculty member’s or students’ conduct on personal time subjects
the College to criticism or makes students unable to perform properly in the internship, the College is
justified in taking corrective action.
Consensual sexual relations between field educators and students, or between agency employees and
students, are not appropriate during an internship, even though they may be accepted in other settings.
It is against Florida Law for a supervisor to have a sexual relationship with a supervisee (intern).
Furthermore, the authority over interns by field educators or agency employees exacerbates the
situation. If interns level a charge of sexual harassment over a relationship that once was consenting,
the burden of proof may be on the alleged offender to show that the relationship was, in fact,
consenting.
FIELD AGENCY’S RESPONSIBILITIES
Sexual harassment of any College of Social Work student intern by any field educator, employee, or
representative of the field agency is not tolerated. Agencies approved as internships must provide the
Office of Field Education with a sexual harassment policy to be kept in the Office’s files. If the agency has
no policy, the College strongly recommends that one be developed.
STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
Respond to the problem. Students should make their feelings absolutely clear. Sometimes people do not
realize they are offensive, and the student should feel free to give them feedback on their inappropriate
behavior.
Record the times, places, and specifics of each incident, including other people who might have
observed the event or the students’ reactions.
Report sexual harassment immediately to the Office of Field Education and/or the field liaison. If the
perpetrator is the students’ agency supervisor, contact the field liaison and/or the Director of Field
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Education, the agency supervisor’s immediate superior. Students should remember that they are a part
of the workplace and be certain that they themselves are not involved in any inappropriate behavior.
Students are also subject to the same sexual harassment policies as agencies and faculty, and they
should be aware of their own behavior during the internship as they too can be accused of sexual
harassment by the agency, faculty and/or clients. A rule of thumb is to respect the dignity of coworkers
and clients.
Students should also refrain from jumping to conclusions based on someone’s dress or physical
appearance. If they are unsure of someone’s intentions or behavior, ask for clarification. Remember,
“No” always means “NO.”
If the internship agency has no formal sexual harassment policy, or if the policy has not been submitted
to the Office of Field Education as required, the College reserves the right to participate in decisions
regarding how allegations of sexual harassment are handled by the field internship agency. A meeting
requiring students to confront their alleged violator will be allowed only with the expressed consent of
the student, the Director of Field Education, or the director’s designee.
TERMINATION POLICY & PROCEDURES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The purpose of this policy is to:
• Identify the participants in an internship termination process. Identify the individual roles in this
process.
• Specify the reasons for terminations and the actions to be taken in such a termination.
PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS/ RESPONSIBILITIES
Expectations/Responsibilities of the Student
• Students will meet the performance objectives according to their “specialization” (Clinical, Social
Leadership) and/or course (SOW 4510, 5532,5535, 5537). These objectives are available on the
College of Social Work website under the Field Education tab. It is the responsibility of each
student to obtain, review, and understand them. If a student has a question, it is their
responsibility to address these with a member of the field faculty.
• Students are required to attend all mandatory Field Planning meetings.
• Attendance will be taken.
• Students will comply with all agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to
physicals, drug screenings, HIV testing, liability insurance, dress codes, immunizations,
fingerprinting, criminal background checks, body adornment policies, oaths of allegiance, etc.
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• Students must read and adhere to the College of Social Work’s Office of Field Education Policies
and Procedures.
• Students must abide by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
• Students must advise the agency field educator and/or the Field Faculty of any difficulties
encountered in the internship.
• Students will follow through on all performance improvement plans, outlined verbally and/or in
writing by the field educator and/or field faculty, within the time frame specified.
• Students must assume responsibility for reviewing the contents of the field manual before the
start of the internship.
• Students will develop, sign, and fulfill an educational plan for the internship in collaboration
with their field educator and/or task supervisor.
• Students will obtain, read, and sign the midterm and final evaluation according to their
concentration and level.
• Students will complete, sign, and submit the student evaluation of internship form at the
conclusion of the placement.
If the internship is not meeting the students’ needs, the student can submit to the Director of Field
Education, a written request to change internships, stating the reason(s) and evidence that corrective
actions have taken place and the results of these actions.
The College of Social Work will meet the following established expectations:
The College compiles performance objectives, policies, and procedures, evaluations, the NASW Code of
Ethics, etc. in the Field Manual, which all students must have reviewed or have a copy of prior to the
start of the internship.
• The College will provide assistance in resolving any problems/ difficulties in an internship
through the use of field liaisons that, complete a minimum of one contact per semester of each
internship, with more contacts as necessary to resolve any issues. This includes communications
with the student, field educators, and any other agency or College personnel needed to assist in
the resolution of issues.
• The College will review all sides of the issues presented in termination from an internship and
make appropriate recommendations.
• The College will comply with the University’s Academic Grade Appeal process.
• The College will comply with the Florida Statute 228.093 regarding confidentially of student
records.
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The Agency Field Educator will meet the following established expectations:
• The agency field educator will provide an environment conducive to learning
• The agency field educator will provide an orientation to the agency.
• The agency field educator will make agency policies and procedures available to the student at
the pre-placement interview and/or during the agency orientation.
• The agency field educator will review and ensure that the educational plan is completed and
signed within one month of the start of the internship.
• The agency field educator will provide verbal and/or written feedback on performance issues; to
clarify any corrective actions needed to be taken by the student.
• The agency field educator will complete the midterm and final evaluation in a timely manner
and submit these in the online system on or before the due dates.
• The agency field educator will provide a minimum of one-hour weekly supervision for block
internships and once every other week for part-time (more than one semester) internships.
Supervision will include, but not be limited to, feedback on the student’s performance.
• The agency field educator will comply with Florida Statute 228.093 regarding the confidentiality
of student records.
TERMINATION PROCEDURE
Performance problems that result in termination from an internship vary greatly. In general, they reflect
the non-compliance with established policies and procedures, ethical/work performance issues, or a
violation of the above-stated expectations.
Performance problems will be addressed in the following manner:
Student performance will be reviewed in supervision. Performance problems will be clearly identified
(orally or in writing) by the agency field educator and/or field faculty member. Specific examples of
problem areas and recommendations for improvement will be made (if applicable), and consequences
of failure to meet expectations will be communicated to the student in a timely manner.
• At any time during the internship, a single event or if problem behaviors persist and/or are
serious, the field educator will contact the field faculty liaison for a consultation. The student
also must advise the field faculty liaison if he/ she has concerns about the internship and/or the
field educator. The student will also advise the field faculty liaison if there are concerns about
performance issues raised from feedback received from the agency field educator.
• The field faculty liaison will offer guidance to the student and/or agency field educator by
telephone or in-person. If a visit to the agency is needed, this meeting may include separate
time with the student and with the agency field educator. This may include but is not limited to
sharing past academic and performance information.
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• Based on the discussion with the field faculty liaison, a written “Performance Improvement
Plan” and/or revised Educational Plan will be developed jointly by the student, field faculty
liaison, and agency field educator and signed by all parties, with copies distributed.
Consequences of noncompliance will be included.
• Each criterion included in the student’s evaluation form has importance. Therefore, students
must receive ratings at “3" (Satisfactory) or above in the field education course in order to
receive a Satisfactory grade in the course. Midterm and final evaluations with areas rated “1" or
“2" indicate the student must demonstrate improved performance to pass the course. If the
final evaluation has ratings of “1” or “2”, the internship will be continued and a performance
improvement plan established by all parties. If the agency supervisor terminates the placement,
a second internship will be considered with clear expectations identified in a memorandum of
agreement.
• Poor performance or a single event, which may place clients at risk, is unprofessional or
unethical will result in a termination, at any time from the internship. The agency supervisor and
the field faculty make this decision jointly. As agencies supervise students voluntarily, it is the
right of any agency to terminate an internship with no prior notice if they feel they can no
longer work with the student.
• If the student's performance does not meet minimum expectations by the due date of the final
evaluation, the agency field educator will complete the narrative portion of the evaluation
specifying the reasons for the students’ failure to meet expectations, and the quantitative
portion would clearly indicate the inadequate or unsatisfactory areas of performance (all scores
rated “1” or “2”).
The agency field educator has the option of recommending a grade of “I,” Incomplete, or “U,”
Unsatisfactory to the Office of Field Education on the evaluation form.
The College will determine what grade to assign for the students’ final grade If the grade of "I,”
Incomplete, is assigned the following will occur:
If the student is demonstrating significant progress in the identified problem areas of performance but
has yet to obtain the goals set, an “I” grade may be assigned, and the student would remain in that
internship for a period of time specified by the agency field educator and the field faculty liaison. If the
student consistently completes satisfactory work at the end of the specified time, a grade change will be
submitted, changing the “I” to an “S.” Students may also receive an “I” if they have not completed the
necessary hours for their Field Education course due to absences. In these cases, the student, agency
field educator, and field faculty liaison reach an agreement about how the hours will be completed
before the grade is changed to an “S.”
In some cases, it may not be appropriate for the student to remain in the same internship. The student
would complete the internship at a different agency to be determined by the Office of Field Education. A
second internship would be contingent on disclosure of the student's performance problems and a copy
of the last field evaluation form can be provided to the new potential field educator. The Office of Field
Education reserves the right to not offer a second internship based on student performance issues
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and/or the student’s refusal to allow the College representatives to share information about the
termination with the new internship agency.
If the student is assigned to a new internship after earning an “I” or “U” In the first internship, the
student will be required to complete the full number of hours required for the course. There are
exceptional cases of illness where a physician has documented a reason for hours missed or in cases
where there were extenuating circumstances at the internship, and the Office of Field Education will
negotiate with the student “hours credited” from the first internship. The student may need to register
for the course. The Office of Field Education may assign a “U,” Unsatisfactory, grade, based upon the
recommendation and documentation of the agency field educator. This grade and the subsequent
termination from the internship are based on the students’ performance, which has violated policies of
the agency, College of Social Work, and/or any standards set by the NASW Code of Ethics. In these
situations, a student must:
Complete a typed written request for another internship stating their reasons and responsibility
for failure in the prior internship, along with how they plan to resolve the problem area. (IE:
attend a workshop on confidentiality, etc.). This request is submitted to the Director of Field
Education within 60 days from the date of the termination. The Director of Field Education
reviews the letter and all pertinent information jointly with the Director of Graduate Studies (for
graduate students) or Director of Undergraduate Studies (for undergraduate students). If it is
decided that the student will be offered another internship, there would NOT be a grade change
of the original "Unsatisfactory," and the entire internship MUST be retaken, with no credit given
for previous hours in an internship. The student must re-register for the full credit hours of the
course and be responsible for the identified tuition.
At times the College may determine that it is in the best interest of the student not to immediately re-
enter another internship. In these cases, it may be recommended by the Director of Field Education and
the Director of Graduate Studies (for graduate students) or Director of Undergraduate Students (for
undergraduate student) that the student complete certain tasks to document the appropriate resolution
of difficulties which may have inhibited their performance in the internship. Examples of such actions
are taking a course in ethics, engaging in individual or group therapy for a specified period of time, etc.
Any recommendation made will be in writing to the student with specified completion dates.
The College of Social Work reserves the right to deny a student a second internship based on student
performance issues and other pertinent information. The College WILL NOT offer a third internship for
any single field education course.
The student has the right to appeal to this grade. The grade appeal will be in accordance with university
regulations and the College of Social Work policy. Students will not be permitted to register for any
social work course until the grade appeal process for a field education course is complete.
