Agency Responsibilities

1. The agency must provide social services and be committed to social work values and practice. The agency must support a focus on diversity among its staff and service programs with demonstrated attention to potentially vulnerable and/or oppressed client groups.
2. The agency is committed to the provision of diverse learning experiences for majority students and agency support for minority students. When appropriate, linkages with other agencies to provide such experiences for student learners are sought.
3. The agency administrators agree to the field learning goals set forth by the department for the student's field education. The agency has programs which will offer students a wide range of learning opportunities commensurate with the department's objectives for field instruction.
4. The agency undertakes, individually and collectively, the responsibilities of the teaching role, including the provision of appropriate supports to enable field instructors to maintain an educational focus with their assigned students(s).
5. The agency is committed to providing professional supervision by a university approved and qualified field instructor who possesses appropriate credentials for the student's level of study. The field instructor must be approved by the agency to have the time, interest, and professional competence to assume the educational role and to complete necessary documentation related to the student's learning contract and evaluation as required by the department. In addition, the agency must approve of and support the completion of a "Field Instructor Affiliation Agreement" by all potential agency field instructors.
6. The agency indicates agreement with responsibilities of each party in the provision of field instruction by completing the "Agency Affiliation Agreement," which is subject to approval by the field education director.
7. The agency agrees to participate in pre-placement activities designed to help in the placement process. These include involvement by appropriate agency personnel in the following: attendance at the Field Placement Fair (undergraduates), completion of the annual field survey, attendance at field orientation and other training sessions, and conducting pre-placement student interviews.
8. The agency agrees to welcome the student, in writing, at the time the agency assignment is officially made.
9. The agency is responsible for providing the student with the appropriate orientation to agency personnel, policies, and procedures and with other relevant social services in the community. Information regarding the agency's history, organization, mission, and structure will be provided to the student to assist in completion of the department's required organizational analysis assignment.
10. The agency will make available to the student other resources needed to complete class assignments involving the field. This may include existing statistical data, case information, and management information related to agency and client systems. The student will be supported in gathering data required for research projects.
11. The student is to be accepted as a participant in the overall agency program and activities as appropriate. This includes the opportunity for planned contacts with agency staff, other than field instructors, through whom appropriate learning opportunities can be provided.
12. The agency must provide the following for the student(s) during the period of placement:
    • Space in which the student can carry out independent work.
    • Office supplies as needed in the performance of responsibilities.
    • Access to client and agency resources appropriate to the planned learning experience.
    • Mileage reimbursement and any other reimbursements customarily provided to staff.
    • Timely provision of information regarding whether the student is covered by the agency's liability insurance policy.
    • Information regarding requirements or recommendations for obtaining the Hepatitis B vaccination series, including the possibility of agency reimbursement for the vaccinations.
13. The agency agrees to provide time for weekly supervision meetings between the field instructor and the student(s). The minimum expectation is for one hour per week of formal supervision. Supervision can occur either individually or as part of a supervisory group, with two exceptions, the liaison visits and evaluation conferences, which are to be done individually.
14. The agency agrees to support the field instructor and/or other appropriately identified staff in attendance at required orientation, training, placement, and pre-placement meetings and in conferences between the field instructor, student, and field liaison.
15. The agency agrees to provide the field instructor and the student ample time and opportunity to develop and fulfill a learning contract in conjunction with department goals and objectives.
16. The field instructor, augmented field instructor (when assigned), student, field liaison, and any other person(s) with whom the student has worked will participate in the assessment and evaluation of the student's progress. It is understood that evaluation is an ongoing part of the placement experience but that a formal, written evaluation will be completed at the end of each quarter of the student's field placement. The evaluation is to be written by the field instructor, discussed with the student, and signed by both before being submitted to the field liaison.

Field Instructor Responsibilities

1. Agency-designated and university-approved field instructors (determined by completion of and approval by the field education director of the "Field Instructor Affiliation Agreement") will possess the following qualifications:
   • Undergraduate field instructors:
     Must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work or a bachelor's or a master's degree in a related field. If the field instructor does not possess a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, an augmented field instructor will be assigned.
   • Master's level field instructors:
     Must possess a minimum of a master's degree in social work or possess a master's degree in a related field or possess a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field with extensive social service practice experience. If the field instructor does not possess a master's degree in social work, an augmented field instructor will be assigned.
2. Field instructors are expected to display a commitment to social work values and education through their work. They must have an interest in and the ability to teach. They must possess a knowledge of the community and its resources and the capacity to integrate academic content with the field instruction curriculum.
3. The field instructor will participate, as assigned by the agency, in pre-placement activities such as attendance at the Field Placement Fair (undergraduates) and pre-placement student interviews.
4. The field instructor is responsible for orienting the student to the agency. This orientation includes a description of the agency's expectations of the student, a briefing on the roles of support staff, and instruction on the use of office equipment. Background information about the agency and agency policies should be included in this orientation. An orientation to appropriate other social services in the community will also be provided.
5. The field instructor interfaces with the agency on behalf of the student whenever necessary.
6. The field instructor agrees to participate in all required field instructor training opportunities, including, but not limited to, field instructor orientation and trainings.
7. The field instructor will assist students in preparing the required learning contract each quarter, which is to be compatible with the department's goals and objectives. All assignments in the learning contract will reflect curriculum goals, outcome objectives, and an appropriate action plan.
8. The field instructor will have weekly educationally focused supervision conferences with the student. The expectation is for one hour of formal supervision to be provided individually or in a group supervision format per week. During these weekly conferences, the learning contract, the student's performance, and any issues or deficiencies noted during the past week are to be discussed.
9. The field instructor is responsible for working with the field liaison to coordinate an agency on-site conference between the student, field liaison, and field instructor at least twice during each field year for undergraduates and second-year graduates and once for first-year graduate students.
10. The field instructor is responsible for preparing an end-of-quarter evaluation. The evaluation is to be discussed in a formal evaluation meeting with each student. The field instructor must sign the evaluation and, with the student, make arrangements for the evaluation to be sent to the field liaison by the designated date. It is understood that the assigning of the final field grade will be done by the field liaison after reviewing the evaluation and other pertinent information.
11. Field instructors are expected to participate in an annual field and program evaluation survey.
12. The field instructor agrees to deal with any problems in the student's field performance in accordance with the department's "Student Performance Problems in Field Instruction" policy (see section entitled "Field Policies and Guidelines").

Augmented Field Instructor Responsibilities

In the rare cases when the field instructor does not have the designated social work degree, the supervisor and student must agree to augment the placement with a designated MSW who will provide additional supervision to both student and field instructor. This augmented supervision will include at least the following:

1. Participation in field instructor orientation/training
2. Input into the learning contract
3. Attendance and participation in field liaison visits
4. Individual supervision with student at least once per quarter
5. Input into the end-of-the-quarter written evaluation

Student Responsibilities

1. The student is expected to conduct him or herself in an appropriate and responsible manner, consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics (included in this manual).
2. The student is expected to read and become familiar with the field manual and is expected to comply with all policies and timelines given. Noncompliance with timelines and/or policies may result in failure to be admitted into or maintained in the field sequence.
3. The student must sign the university's "Release and Acknowledgment" form in order to participate in field education.
4. The student will participate in department-sponsored learning opportunities held in conjunction with the placement process, including pre-placement meetings, attendance at the Field Placement Fair (undergraduates), conferences with field staff prior to agency assignment, orientation meetings, liaison field visits, and office meetings, etc.
5. The student, in conjunction with his or her field instructor and field liaison, will aid in the creation of a learning contract each quarter, according to program specifications. The student is responsible for forwarding the signed learning contract to the field liaison (see section entitled "Field Education Curriculum: The Learning Contract").
6. The student is responsible for keeping his or her field liaison apprised of progress in the field. This can include regular communications in the field journal (undergraduates) and normally scheduled conferences as well as contact specifically initiated to discuss problems (see policy on "Student Performance Problems in Field Instruction" and "Guidelines for Problem Solving in Field Education").
7. The student must notify the agency field instructor prior to absences. Extended absences and make-up plans must be negotiated with the field instructor and approved by the field instructor and the field liaison.
8. The student is expected to complete the required hours each quarter in equally spaced allotments, unless special arrangements are made with and agreed to by both the field instructor and the field liaison. Field begins on the first day of classes and ends on the last day of classes each quarter. (See "Extension of the Internship Period" for exceptions to this.)
9. Students are to complete the following total number of hours in the field:

   Undergraduates		Foundation		Advanced
   Fall 120		Winter 160		Fall 200
   Winter 160		Spring 200		Winter 200
   Spring 160				Spring 200

10. The student is responsible for his or her own transportation to and from the agency and when on agency business and should carefully consider transportation issues in the selection process. Access to reliable transportation is an expectation for social work students in the field.
11. Students must obtain permission from the agency for use of agency-written material for any purpose.
12. Students are responsible for signing each end-of-quarter evaluation. The signature indicates the student has read and discussed the evaluation but does not necessarily imply agreement with its contents. A passing grade cannot be assigned unless a signed learning contract, signed evaluation, and completed timesheet(s) are received by the field liaison prior to the announced deadlines indicated in the field calendars.
13. Severance of contact with the agency may be initiated by the student, agency, or department. It must be planned, and the student is expected to terminate contact with clients, complete reports, etc., as specified by the agency (see "Student Performance Problems in Field Instruction," "Guidelines for Problem Solving in Field Education," and "Termination from the Field" policies).
14. Each student is responsible for providing for his or her own professional liability practice insurance.
15. Each student is responsible for providing his or her automobile liability insurance.
16. Students are responsible for determining and complying with policies regarding Hepatitis inoculations and other health testing, screening, and/or treatment issues required by the agency.
17. Students must provide factual information regarding any factors or special needs which may affect their field assignment or performance as requested by the department or agency.
18. The student is expected to take an active role in identifying learning experiences he or she would like to have at the agency. The student must recognize that the agency determines what he or she can and cannot do while representing the agency. This does not preclude the right to raise questions about any procedures, policies, or the nature of the service delivery.
19. The student is expected to dress according to the agency's dress code policy. If the student feels unable to comply with the code, the issue should be discussed with the field instructor. If an agreement cannot be made, the student should not select the agency.
20. The student under no circumstances is to discuss his or her clients and their problems outside the agency. If the student uses client-related material in class, he or she must first secure the client's and the agency's permission, and then it must be carefully disguised, so no one can identify the client or others whose privacy might be thus invaded.

Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

1. The faculty advisor ensures that the student meets the criteria for admission to the field.
2. The faculty advisor helps identify student interest areas related to the field and helps to clarify the student's educational goals.
3. The faculty advisor shares information with the student regarding the social work curriculum including:
   • Educational objectives
   • Description of program elements
4. The faculty advisor shares information regarding different agencies as they relate to the student's interest and goals.
5. The faculty advisor refers students with special needs to the field director or department chair as appropriate. Students with special needs include students requiring a course waiver or other curriculum related exceptions, students about whom the advisor has reservations about admission to the field, and students who will have unique placement needs due to a disability.

Field Education Faculty Responsibilities

1. The field education faculty are responsible for:
   • The selection of field agencies and instructors
   • Final determination of the student's readiness for field instruction
   • Placement of students in the agencies
   • Negotiating the details of the placement
2. The field education faculty will provide orientation, training, and other supports to students, field instructors, field liaisons, and agencies.
3. The field education faculty will develop and distribute the Field Education Manual.
4. The field education faculty will develop and administer policies related to the field.
5. The field education faculty will determine and announce the field instruction calendar, including deadlines for agency interviews, receipt of learning contracts, and evaluations of students.
6. The field education faculty will review all "Employment-Based Field Instruction Proposals" involving students requesting paid employment and field instruction in the same agency (see policy entitled "Paid Employment and Field Instruction") and will inform the field education director of a recommendation to approve or disapprove the request.

Field Education Director Responsibilities

1. The field education director is administratively responsible, under the supervision of the department chair, for planning, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of the field education experience, including the following:
   • Final determination of the readiness of students for field instruction.
   • Assessing and selecting field agencies.
   • Determining qualifications and making field instructor appointments.
   • Assigning students to a field practicum agency and field instructor.
   • Collaboration with the department chair in the assignment of field liaisons.
   • Scheduling and implementing orientation and training activities for field instructors and students.
   • Monitoring placements and consulting with agency personnel, students, and field liaisons as needed.
   • Consulting with the department's undergraduate and graduate chairs regarding field instruction concerns.
   • Supervision of field liaison functions.
2. The field education director is responsible for developing and monitoring all field policies and procedures.
3. The field education director is responsible for assisting in the resolution of any field-related problems as specified in the "Student Performance Problems in Field Instruction," "Guidelines for Problem Solving in Field Education," and "Termination from the Field" policies.
4. The field education director will keep the faculty, field liaisons, field instructors, students, and appropriate agency personnel informed of significant issues related to the field curriculum and field education policies and will obtain their input into policy design.
5. The field education director will be informed of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) policies and standards related to field education in accredited social work programs. The field education director will interpret and operationalize such policies and standards.
6. The field education director is responsible for the final submission of field grades.
7. The field education director is responsible for design, implementation, and analysis of the annual field and program evaluation survey.
8. The field education director is responsible for design and development of the undergraduate integrative seminar curriculum and, together with other field education faculty, serves as an instructor for designated class section(s).
9. The field education director will assume the role of field liaison for designated agencies and students.
10. Assignments for field liaison responsibilities are made by the field education director, with approval from the director of the department.
11. Supervision of field liaison duties will be undertaken by the field education director, with the assistance, if needed, of the director of the department.

Field Liaison Responsibilities

1. The field liaison is responsible for contributing to and approving the student learning contract.
2. The field liaison is responsible for monitoring student progress in the placement, including regular contact with the field instructor and the student in order to assess the integration of course work and field instruction, to monitor the student's progress in the field, and to ensure that all field requirements are met by the student and by the agency .
3. The field liaison is responsible for assigning a grade to the student's field work and for submitting the grade to the field office prior to the end of the quarter. Grades will be assigned based upon achievement of goals and objectives stated in the student learning contract as evaluated by the faculty liaison during agency/student contacts and as evaluated by the field instructor as part of the written evaluation at the completion of each quarter.
4. On-site field liaison visits with the student and field instructor in the agency will occur during the following quarters unless otherwise negotiated with and approved by the field education director:

   Undergraduate Program:
       Fall and Winter Quarters
   Graduate Program:
       First-Year Foundation Field Practicum: Winter Quarter
       Second-Year Advanced Field Practicum: Fall and Winter Quarters
   

5. During quarters not requiring an on-site visit, the field liaison is expected to have a minimum of one additional visit, telephone contact, and/or campus office visit depending on need.
6. If the field liaison notes any problems in the student's field experience, he or she will address them as directed in the "Student Performance Problems in Field Instruction," "Guidelines for Problem Solving in Field Education," and "Termination From the Field" policies.
7. Field liaisons will participate in all field orientation trainings or other appropriate meetings scheduled by the field office.
8. Field liaisons are responsible for documenting all agency visits and other contacts on a liaison log to be submitted to the field education director each quarter. Student field grades will not be submitted to the university by the field office prior to the receipt of all quarterly field documentation.