Field Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the Department’s education and experience requirements for Field Instructors of
Bachelor-level residential students?
Juniors require supervision from a field instructor that has at least a Bachelor of Social Work
degree (LSW preferred) with a minimum of two years post-graduate social work experience.
Seniors require supervision from a field instructor that has a MSW degree (LSW/LISW/LCSW
preferred) with at least one year of post-graduate social work experience.
2. How many field hours are residential students expected to complete?
Juniors complete fieldwork during the Spring semester. Junior will work about 15 hours a week
from the beginning of February through the beginning of April in order to complete a minimum
100 field hours. The field days for Juniors is typically Tuesdays and Thursdays. Seniors complete
fieldwork during the Fall semester. Seniors will work approximately 32 hours a week in order to
complete the minimum of 400 field hours. Senior fieldwork days are typically Tuesday through
Friday. Field days are flexible as long as they do not conflict with students’ course schedules.
3. What does the residential student interview process entail?
Students are expected to interview with at least three potential field placements. Students will
take the initiative to contact each agency to schedule an interview. Once their interviews are
complete, students will rank their selected agencies. Potential field instructors will also weigh in
on individual students who are a good fit for their agency. Combined, this information will guide
the Director of Field Education in making final placement decisions.
4. What types of supports and training are provided to Field Instructors?
The Department provides a training for Field Instructors and students at the beginning of each
semester. The Director of Field Education is also available for consultation throughout the
semester. Additionally, the Field Seminar Instructor will convene one or more conference calls
with the student and Field Instructor and will conduct a site visit at least once each semester.
The Department also disseminates relevant articles and materials to Field Instructors to
facilitate continued education.
5. What types of coursework do residential students need to complete prior to and during
fieldwork?
Prior to engaging in fieldwork, students must complete several courses including five social work
courses: an Introduction to Social Work course, a course that exposes students to different
settings of practice (Social Work Field Exploration), a course that offers students the opportunity
1
to spend a full work week observing a professional social worker in one particular setting of
practice (Intensive Social Work Observation), Ethics in Professional Helping, and Chemical
Dependency. Students are also expected to complete Social Work Practice with Groups prior to
or concurrently with their junior fieldwork. Both juniors and seniors must also complete a field
seminar course concurrently with their fieldwork. This course offers the opportunity for
students to process their field experiences and engage in further learning.
6. I meet the requirements to serve as a field instructor but would need the support of other
staff at my agency to assist in coordination of field activities. Is that acceptable?
Yes. We recognize that often it takes a team effort to successfully participate in an internship
program. We are perfectly fine with agencies assigning an Agency Field Coordinator to help
conduct student orientations and in-service trainings, verify and sign student timesheets, and
coordinate field assignments and activities while the BSW or MSW completes the core Field
Instructor responsibilities (e.g. provide the 1-hour/week supervision, complete student
evaluations, etc.).
7. What types of tasks can a BSW intern do?
BSW student are able to lead a variety of case management, counseling, and other tasks on
behalf of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Some of the most
common tasks for a BSW intern include:

Scheduling client appointments;

Providing support for an intake line and help with the triage of clients coming in for
services;

Utilizing a psychosocial assessment tool to engage clients—and, when appropriate,
other members of client systems—in information-gathering and decision-making
processes to help clients identify their goals, strengths, and challenges;

Collaborating with clients and other service providers to develop, implement, monitor,
and amend individualized case plans that promote clients’ strengths, advance clients’
well-being, and help clients achieve their goals;

Conducting home visits to facilitate case plan development, implementation and
monitoring;

Identifying appropriate community resources for a client based on review of the client’s
assessment;

Offering education, advocacy, referrals and supportive counseling to clients;

Documenting case management activities in the appropriate client record system;

Designing group activities and facilitate groups;

Participating in/present client cases at case staffing meetings;
2

Supporting the development and implementation of an agency’s community education
and public awareness efforts as appropriate;

Supporting an agency’s efforts to engage in policy analysis and policy action to advance
social and economic justice; and

Attending and take notes during community meetings (e.g. FAPT meetings).
8. What if I have further questions? Who do I contact if I am interested in becoming a field
instructor?
The Director of Field Education, Dr. Raquel Ellis, would be more than happy to talk with you. She
may be reached at rellis8@liberty.edu or 434-592-3779. The agency enrollment documents
and steps that agencies and potential field instructors must take to participate in the internship
program are detailed at the bottom of the Social Work Field Website.
3