Field Education Frequently Asked Questions: Field Instructors

Yes, if the agency meets the requirements of the Employed Social Worker Option.

No. The Campus Field Team or Distance Option Site Coordinator will work with the agency contact persons and the students to identify a suitable placement.

No. A campus field team member or Distance Option Site Coordinator will select a student for you to interview whose interests and learning needs match your agency’s opportunities. After that interview, if both you and the student think the placement is a good fit, you should complete the Placement Acceptance Form (available on the Field Instructor Web Center). If either party has reservations, this should be discussed immediately with a campus field team member or Distance Option Site Coordinator.

The need for a criminal background check and/or drug test should be noted on the Placement Acceptance Form, which will alert the student and field office of this requirement. Detailed policies and procedures are in the Field Handbook on the Field Instructor Web Center.

Yes. If your agency wants to offer a stipend, please discuss this with a member of the Campus Field Team or Distance Option Site Coordinator. Also, refer to the question above about the Employed Social Work (ESW) option.

Yes. Portland State University provides general liability and professional malpractice insurance ($1 million per occurrence; $3 million aggregate) for students in field.

Yes, if social work services are normally offered during those times. Approved professional staff must be present and available to respond to student questions and needs, and to provide backup if necessary.

MSW students are typically assigned to a different field placement and a different field instructor each year.  Internships provide an opportunity to become exposed to new systems, populations, field instructors, and approaches to practice.

If an MSW student proposes a second internship in the same agency, their second proposal must demonstrate how this opportunity would provide new, different, and/or deeper learning that aligns with their Advanced concentration in order to be approved. When possible, the proposal would also include a new social work field instructor.

BSW and first year MSW students are expected to spend 12 hours/week engaged in their field placement for a total of 400 hours. Final year/Advanced MSW students are expected to spend 16 hours/week in their field placement for a total of 500 hours. Students' field schedules are individually negotiated with their field instructors and must not conflict with their classroom schedule.

Placements begin the first week of PSU’s fall term and end the final week of spring term. See the Field Calendar for more important dates.

Yes. The student must submit, and get approved, a written request to a campus field team member or Site Coordinator detailing the date and reason for the early start, and the proposed activities and hours (no more than 40 hours total).
 

Yes, if it is relevant to the student’s learning goals and approved by you. Generally, up to 40 hours per year is the maximum number of training hours approved. Consult with your faculty liaison or Site Coordinator for clarification.

If a student misses a day of internship, they must schedule makeup hours to fulfill the required hours per term.

Please make sure the student has supervisory support while you are gone. If you expect to miss more than one week, discuss a plan for supervision with the student and faculty liaison or Site Coordinator.

The person offering the supervision must be a field instructor approved by the Campus Field Team or Site Coordinator. Non-social work interns may be included in group supervision.