Field Education Student Information

Students must apply for enrollment in field education.  Students are not expected to apply for field until after pre-orientation. The field education sequence begins in the fall semester only. There are no summer or block field placement opportunities currently.  Additionally, there are limited evening and weekend placement.  Students should become familiar with the order of their courses and know the term in which they should apply to field placement.

Field Pre-Orientation is held in Fall semester and will provide an overview of the purpose of the field experiences, application processes, policies, requirements, and upcoming deadlines.

Complete the Field Education Application at the link below:

DO NOT complete this application if you are entering the first year of the PART-TIME program. 

In addition to the application, students will also be responsible for the following items:

• SW Field Seminar Materials – 49.50
• Required Liability Insurance- $13

Each of the additional items mentioned except liability insurance will need to be paid at the time of application. Students will not need to pay for the liability insurance until they are closer to staring work at their placement agency so that their coverage doesn’t lapse before they have completed their required placement hours.

 Other Requirements:

• Students assigned to health facilities for internship placement may be required to have immunizations (e.g. Hepatitis B) and or testing (e.g., TB), and possibly AIDS and/or CPR training.
• All students must complete all required agency orientations prior to beginning field placements.
• All students are required to Review the Field Education Manual.
•  Professional Liability Insurance: Students are expected to purchase university sponsored liability insurance three weeks prior to the start of fall semester placement.

 Students may be expected to complete a criminal background check initiated by field agency.   Students should disclose with the Office of Field Education anything that would potentially impact placement.

 The Office of Field Education makes the initial contact with the potential placement site and the student sets up an agency interview when instructed via email.

It is imperative that students prepare in advance for their interview prior to arriving at the agency.  Students should be dressed professionally, present as courteous, have resume and the social work competencies in hand. A student who is rejected for placement by TWO agencies for reasons related to appropriateness (i.e. behavior, attitude, professionalism) or readiness for placement may be dismissed from the program. If a student is denied a placement following the first two agency interviews, the internship candidate meets with the Director of Field Education regarding interview challenges and next steps.

• If the denials are based on inappropriate attire, lack of professionalism, inability to articulate their stated goals, the student may be referred to Career Services for additional assistance with preparing for an interview.
• If the denial is based on a criminal background record, the Director of Field Education will make every effort to identify appropriate agencies.
• After the above procedure, if a student is still unable to secure a field placement, they will be referred to the Professional Review Committee.  At this stage, student will be unenrolled from all courses and must REAPPLY to the program.

The Office of Field Education makes the initial contact with the potential placement site and the student sets up an agency interview. If a student has not met entry requirements for field education, the student is denied placement but may reapply at a later date.

Students should NOT solicit agencies or negotiate their own placement site. Agencies must be approved by the Field Education Office. 

Generalist Practice (BSW, MSW 1^st, & MSW 2^nd Part time students) are expected to complete a minimum of 400 hours over the course of the two academic semesters. It is expected that students will complete at least 200 hours during each academic semester (16 hours week).  BSW and 1st-­‐year MSW students usually complete the required 16 hours/week field placement in two full days (lunch not included in the hour count).

Specialization Year (MSW 2^nd second & 3^rd year part time students) are expected to complete a minimum of 500 hours over the course of the two academic semesters. Students are expected to complete 250 hours each semester.  2nd-year MSW students complete the required 18 hours/week field placement scheduled over three work days (not a two day/week schedule).

The student and field supervisor must discuss and agree to the student’s weekly schedule based on both the student’s and the supervisor’s needs/tasks. Classes and field seminar cannot be missed to attend field placement.

 Field Placement Absences:

If an emergency arises necessitating absence from the field, the student is responsible for:

1. Immediately notifying the field instructor and taking responsibility for postponing appointments or scheduled meetings.
2. In case of prolonged absence, the student and field instructor should notify the field liaison so that a plan can be made to meet the needs of the agency, the student’s situation, and the schools’ educational requirements.

3. A minimum of 200 hours must be completed for students to receive a grade in field seminar at the conclusion of each semester. Students who fail to meet this requirement will have to retake the course or receive an Incomplete (I) if they were passing field seminar.

4. Absences due to observance of religious holidays, attendance at professional conferences may be permitted with the prior approval of the field instructor and field liaison. The field instructor will determine the number of field hours credited for attendance at professional conferences.

5. Students are not allowed to bank field hours in hopes of completing their field experience earlier. Students must remain at the field placement agency until the end of the academic term. 

Vacations: Students should not schedule personal vacations during the semester unless they are during the scheduled University breaks. If such a situation is unavoidable, the student is required to submit in writing a request to be absent from their field practicum. The request must be submitted to the Director of Field Education as well as their agency supervisor, and should be done BEFORE any plans are made. Plans for make-up hours should be included in their written request, and students must make up any time missed prior to the end of the semester. It is up to the discretion of the Director of Field as well as the agency supervisor if this time away will be granted.

School Based Settings:

Placement schedules in schools often differ from the standard placement calendar.  Students placed in a school setting should plan to modify their schedules to accommodate agency hours and vacations.

December Hours:

All students should be off the week that GSU is closed for the December holidays – they are not expected to be in placement when the University is closed. Students should return to their respective field placement sites once the spring semester begins in January (check the academic calendar for start date). The School acknowledges there may be work that needs to be accomplished in the field agency requiring the student’s presence once fall semester is completed. However, there are limits to a student continuing his/her placement in between the semesters. Upon completion of the fall semester field placement hours, the student can work for a maximum of 10 hours total in December (to be agreed upon by both student, field instructor, and field liaison) and such hours can be counted towards spring semester hours. December hours should reflect the time needed to provide continuity in assigned tasks or responsibilities (e.g., case management, group facilitation, holiday project, and fundraising events). If the student or field supervisor is unclear about December field placement hours, the faculty liaison should be consulted.

Inclement Weather/Breaks:

Students will be excused from practicum for fall and spring breaks. It should be noted that students in a school setting take their breaks on the school’s not the university’s schedule. However, the total number of clock hours for practicum must still be met. In the event of University closure due to weather: If the University cancels classes due to inclement weather, you are not required to go to your field placement. However, you must be in communication with your supervisor as soon as possible that you will not be in to ensure coverage at your agency. Do not assume that your supervisor/agency will know that you are not coming in.  We understand that you all live in different areas and that weather can vary from region to region. Your safety always comes first. If driving conditions are not safe where you live, and the University remains open, please use your best judgment about travel on that day. As always, your supervisor should be contacted as soon as possible if you find yourself in this situation.

The School of Social Work recognizes that many students work full-time while attending school. In an effort to be responsive to this situation, the School offers a limited number of Employment Based Field Placements. These are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and even if considered, ARE NOT GUARANTEED. In certain circumstances, it may be acceptable for students to complete their internship at their place of employment.  Some agencies are large enough to provide unique and distinct experiences for students so that their role of employee does not conflict with their role as an intern.  Employee based placements must be applied for two semesters prior to the semester in which the student plans to begin field placement (Spring).Some tenets of the approval process include the following:

1. A student can have only ONE employment-related placement for BSW/MSW field education credit, i.e., 1st-year: MSW generalist OR 2nd-year: MSW Community Partnerships specialization. Advanced-standing students cannot have employment-related field placements for both the BSW and MSW field placements.

2. A student cannot use one’s current position and tasks for the field placement. The field intern position and tasks must be different. In addition, the field supervisor cannot be the same person as the student’s work supervisor.

3. A student must submit a proposal to the Director of Field Education by the due date as determined by the field director. This proposal must include:

• • Description of current position and job tasks

  • Contact information for work supervisor

  • Description of proposed position and related job tasks as a field intern in your place of employment (use the appropriate IPP to inform your response)

  • Describe how you will complete the required weekly field placement hours over the two semesters. Some deviation may be approved using the December break, spring break, etc. to complete the required hours.

  • Contact information for proposed field supervisor

  • Acknowledgement from the proposed field supervisor that he/she is able to supervise the student and agrees to all field supervision requirements and responsibilities (on School’s website)

  • Each proposal will be reviewed and evaluated and the Director of Field Education will make the final decision in each case.

  • The agency/organization must agree to the field placement site responsibilities and sign the School’s affiliation agreement (Memorandum of Understanding).

The social work profession has become increasingly concerned about the safety and security of social work practitioners in the workplace. Work-related violence against social workers may include physical and/or verbal assault, the threat of assault and harassment. Such concern about workplace violence also draws attention to the safety and security of social work students placed in field placement settings.

Field sites should have policies and procedures dealing with safety and security issues for all personnel. These safety and security policies and procedures need to be a part of the student’s site orientation. However, if this information is not formally presented, the student must initiate discussion of such policies and procedures with the field supervisor. Every effort must be made to reduce potential risk in field settings. Safety and security issues to be addressed with the student include:

• office and facility security (e.g., interviewing rooms, emergency exits, disaster plan,

• parking areas, before and after hours work);

• in-house emergency procedures for summoning security, police, and backup assistance;

• policies and procedures for home and community visits (e.g., when, where, with

• another worker or escort, under what conditions a visit should or should not be made,

• emergency backup plans);

• transporting clients (e.g., personal car, agency vehicle, insurance and liability, when, where, with another worker, under what conditions would an intern be given this assignment);

• assessing and handling agitated and/or violent clients (e.g., de-escalation techniques,

• physical restraint of clients, treating clients with a history of violence); and

• potential risks and safety issues unique to a particular setting and/or client population.

The field supervisor should discuss with the student any activities that may require special planning with regard to safety. An understanding should be reached between the student and field supervisor, with input from the faculty liaison, about what constitutes “high risk” or “dangerous” assignments. If the student refuses to accept what may be described as a dangerous assignment, this should be discussed with the faculty liaison. The student has the right to refuse a dangerous assignment and his/her safety should not be compromised.

If a student is threatened or injured in placement, or is involved in an incident where one’s safety may be compromised, the faculty liaison or field director should be notified immediately.

See information on developing a comprehensive safety plan written by the Committee for the Study and Prevention of Violence against Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter.

The University and the School of Social Work do not allow any social work intern to transport any client, family member, significant other, etc. Some field agencies request the social work student to transport clients because it is suggested that this task provides an opportunity to have one-on-one time with the client(s). While this may be true, even when the agency is willing to add the student as an approved driver to its insurance policy and provide an agency vehicle, transporting clients is still prohibited.

As required by federal and state law and Georgia State University policy, internship placements must be accessible to students with disabilities. This requirement means that students with disabilities should have the same kinds of educational opportunities – including field placements. However, given the wide range of disabilities, it is possible that not every placement will have the capability to accommodate every student.  Every effort is made by the Office of Field Education to ensure equal access to internship opportunities.  Students with special needs must contact the Student Disability Services and the Director of Field Education after being accepted into the MSW program to discuss accommodations that may be necessary in the internship site. Accommodations provided at Georgia State University do not automatically transfer to the internship placement. Students must also provide the agency with necessary documentation to be eligible for accommodation, as per ADA.

What are the responsibilities of Georgia State students with a disability?

• Request academic accommodations in a timely manner relative to the semester that they plan to attend.
• Advocate for themselves.
• Provide appropriate documentation of their disability.
• Meet privately with faculty to discern how their academic accommodations will be facilitated.

Please visit the Access and Accommodations Center at GSU: https://access.gsu.edu/about-us/ ,The Office of Field Education will consult with the Access and Accommodation Center as necessary to discuss appropriate accommodations for the internship placement.

Field education students and supervisors must adhere to GSU’s policy on Sexual Misconduct.

Occasionally there are situations in the field setting that cannot be resolved satisfactorily between the student and the field supervisor. In these instances, the faculty liaison should be contacted immediately. The faculty liaison is available to assist when problems arise as identified by either the field supervisor or the student. If needed, a meeting is arranged with the faculty liaison, student, and field supervisor. If the situation continues to persist, the director of field education may become involved.

Sometimes miscommunications, misunderstandings, and nervousness can interfere with the student’s ability to conform to professional practice. Therefore, early recognition and ongoing, open communication between the field supervisor, the faculty liaison, and the student is critical.

The School of Social Work requires that all M.S.W. students have professional liability insurance while enrolled in social work field education. Students pay a fee to the School for the purchase of a group liability policy taken out by the College of Health and Human Sciences that covers all student interns and faculty liaisons for two semesters in field placement. Any student not paying the fee for professional liability insurance will not be allowed to start field placement.

It is strongly recommended that social work students have personal health care insurance. Through the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the University offers an optional “Accidental Injury and Post Exposure” insurance plan for students in internships. This insurance is purchased by the student directly from the company. The Director of Field Education has copies of this policy along with enrollment forms. This insurance is purchased by interested students directly from the company. Students are urged to compare their health insurance coverage with the optional accidental injury and post exposure policy.

The University, and most agencies, do not have “personal property” insurance coverage for students. The student is responsible for personal items (e.g., cellular telephone, laptop computer) brought to the field agency. If using a personal car, the student should check his/her car insurance regarding coverage for damage.

In meetings with the field director prior to field placement or during the field placement seminar with the faculty liaison, a student may choose to share personal information that is deemed “sensitive.” This may include such personal matters as a felony or misdemeanor, mental health diagnosis or treatment, substance abuse history, chronic illness, disease, physical disability, or learning disability. “Sensitive” information may also include problems in classroom performance or in a previous field placement.

In response to the sharing of student information, one must address maintaining the privacy rights of a student, while at the same time protecting the welfare of clients served in a field site, supporting the field site’s right to make an informed decision in accepting a student for placement, and allowing the school to make an educationally-sound placement selection. A student’s permission to share sensitive information should always be solicited.

In the attempt to balance these competing demands, each student situation must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The following factors shall be considered in the decision to share sensitive student information between the school and the field site:*

1. student’s permission to share information
2. information is labeled confidential
3. potential effect(s) on clients being served at the field site
4. relevance of student’s personal matter to field of practice
5. timeframe (current or past) of the student’s personal matter
6. severity of the student’s personal matter
7. field supervisor’s right to know
8. field site’s human resources policies/requirements
9. “reasonable accommodations” as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
10. disclosure of student information as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

It should be noted that field sites might require a prospective student to be processed like a new employee, which can include background checks, fingerprinting, and/or medical tests (e.g., TB test) as prerequisites for acceptance as a student intern.

[*Adapted from: Reeser, L.C. & Wertkin, R.A. (1997). Sharing sensitive student information with field instructors: Responses of students, liaisons, and field instructors. Journal of Social Work Education (Spring/Summer), 347-362.]

Student Guidelines: Preparing for Supervision

Students are expected to prepare appropriately for weekly supervision. This means following the guidelines and standards set forth by the field supervisor as well as those set by the School. As the student progresses through the field placement, it is expected that he/she will take on increasing responsibility for the content of the supervisory sessions by creating a written agenda for each session. Created by the School’s Field Advisory Board, the following guidelines for writing an agenda offer a wholistic approach to assist the student with integration of classroom knowledge and practice application and to focus on processing the field experience. The student and field supervisor should discuss ways to operationalize these guidelines. The student’s supervisory agenda should include these five sections:

1. Items related to past social work, or related, coursework and work experiences
2. Items related to current coursework and classroom learning (e.g., at the beginning of each semester, bring copies of course syllabi to the field supervisor)
3. Items related to mid-semester or final evaluation instruments
4. Items related to field placement (both task- and process-focused)
5. Additional Items