University of Central Oklahoma
Department of Sociology, Substance Abuse
Studies and Gerontology
Field Study for Sociology, Human Services
Contacts:
Kathryn Williams, Coordinator
100 North University Drive, Box
Liberal Arts 201-B
Edmond, Oklahoma 73034
E-mail: kwilliams1uco.edu
Telephone: 405- 974- 5271
Or
Jeannine Nyangira, Student Advisor
Student Success Advisor (English/Sociology)
College of Liberal Arts, Room 125
University of Central Oklahoma
100 North University Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 974-5818
jnyangira@uco.edu
Procedure Prior to beginning field study
1. Make appointment with Kathryn Williams or
Jeannine Nyangira
During summer: Contact Williams through
the Sociology office.
2. Read entire packet
3. Select field placement
4. Turn in cover letter and resume for review
(Williams)
5. Get A1 form signed, return to K. Williams for
permission to enroll
6. Enroll in Soc. 4940, CRN ------- and pay for hours
SOC 4940 – Field Study in Sociology
[1-4 Credit Hours]
CRITERIA
Description:
This is a foundation course for Sociology-Human
Services majors which allow students to integrate
coursework with real world experience.
Students should use this experience to explore future
career areas, integrate workplace skills with
coursework and to network for possible
recommendations/jobs.
A. Students should have senior status (90 credit
hours or above) or be a second semester junior
(75 credit hours or above) to be eligible for
enrollment.
B. Students should apply with their desired agency
where they want to do their field study four or
more months ahead of their projected enrollment
due to time-consuming background checks,
application processing, etc. BE AWARE that
you may split the hours between sites to increase
your experience and networking. See below
C. Students may fulfill all three hours at one site or
divide the credit hours between two placements.
The three (3) hours are the equivalent to 120 hours
of site work which translates as 40 hours per each
hour of practicum. This does not include time
spent for securing the placement or transportation.
Only enroll in the number of hours you can
realistically expect to complete during that
semester.
D. As part of the Sociology Field Study Program,
students will keep a log in-out sheet that briefly
describes their activity for the day and hours.
Upon the completion of their field study, the
student will
(1) submit their completed log sheet
(2) submit a confidential evaluation from their
supervisor
(3) write a 4 to 6 page paper. Any paper having
more than four errors will be returned to the
student for correction.
(4) Submit the student's evaluation of the
experience
These four items must be submitted together to the
coordinator on Monday two weeks before the end
of classes to receive a pass/fail grade.
Expectations of Student Conduct
 Each student is responsible for securing his/her
own placement
 Remember you represent both UCO and the
Sociology department
 You are expected to follow proper business
etiquette and act professionally at all times. This
includes a well-groomed appearance and
compliance with the dress code and policies.
Students should be punctual and enthusiatic
 Each student should have a clear understanding of duties and
ask for clarification with the site supervisor
Field Study Procedure
1. Make an appointment with Kathryn Williams
or Ms. Jeannine Nyangira, Student Advisor,
(405) 974-5818 to discuss seeking an agency
site and the application process.
Many possible field study sites are listed on our
departmental HomePage, beneath Sociology or
the agency sites can be obtained through the Ms.
Nyangira and/or Ms. Williams.
2. When seeking agency placement, always
telephone beforehand to confirm the name and
address of the person responsible for student Field
Study positions since personnel may make changes and our list is not
current.
Example of telephone etiquette:
Hello, my name is________. I am a senior at UCO completing my degree in SociologyHuman Services. Based on my knowledge of _____ (agency, organization), I am
seeking to enhance my learning experience by securing a field study with your agency. I
am interested in doing a (1-3)____hour placement which involves _____ (40-120) of
agency site work.
May I ask what a typical field study involves with your agency? . . . .
If the agency is interested or the contact person is available, ask them how they
prefer your resume to be sent.
3. Send or email a cover letter and resume. This
must be shown to Williams or Nyangira prior to
sending.
Cover letter Example –
Kathryn M. Williams
111 East 1st Street
Edmond, Oklahoma 73333
March 31, 2010
Ms. Susan Smith
Human Resources Director
Xyz Agency
222 23rd Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73034
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am very interested in a field study opportunity with ______________(Xyz Agency) as
discussed in our telephone conversation today. I have strong desire to work
with__________(homeless teens) and pursue a career in that field. I belief that your
agency's dedication and commitment to this under-served population will help me in my
career goals of making a positive impact in this area.
Through both coursework and_______(job experience and/or volunteer experience), I
believe that I have the skills to interact with a diverse range of people. I am prepared to
represent the agency in a caring and professional manner. I work efficiently and set new
goals for myself to continually progress.
I welcome the opportunity to excel in this environment. I am an excellent candidate for a
field study position and look forward to meeting you.
I will contact you next week to schedule an appointment.
Sincerely
Kathryn Williams
Enclosure: resume
4. Clarify duties/expectations with desired field study
supervisor.
5. After acceptance at site, make an appointment with
Kathryn Williams. Bring completed field Study
Application form and a copy of your cover
letter/resume to receive permission form to enroll in
Soc 4940-Field Study in Sociology.
6. Please contact Ms. Williams by email mid-way
through field study to discuss progress. Also give her
finding directions/supervisor’s name and phone
number at site.
7. Turn in all required information on noted dates.
8. Send a hand written thank you note to site
supervisor.
Please see attached forms
Field Study Site Application A.1
Bring completed form to Field Study Coordinator after securing placement.
Fall_________ Spring________Summer_________ (check one)
Year__________ Soc 4940 CRN_________________
Fill in #
Name of
Student____________________________________telephone_________
UCO Student ID#_______________________
Address_______________________________________________________
Street
City
State
Zip
Code
Student's University Identification Number________________________________
E-Mail_______________________________________________________
Declared Major_____________________ Hours completed_____________
Field Study Site
Name________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________
Street
City
State
Zip Code
Supervisor
Name____________________________________________________
Tittle_______________________________telephone____________
Describe functions/duties/population served by agency
_____________________________________________________________
Requirements for selection process for field study:
Background check_______ lie detector________ drug testing________
other________________________________________________________
Signature of
Student__________________________________date_____________
**Site Approval: This confirms that the above-named student has been
accepted by our agency for a field study.
**______________________________________
___________________
Site Supervisor Signature
date
Please initial acceptance:
Student_______________
Completion date of field study: Last Monday in November (fall), April (spring) and July
(summer)
Field Study Log for Sociology Students A.2
Student Name___________________________Semester________
year________
Mid-semester appointment_______________Date of completion______________
Name of Field Study Site______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________
Date Hours Activity………………………………………. Supervisor’s
worked
initials
Supervisor Name (please print)
______________________________________________telephone__________________
Supervisor Signature________________________________________date___________
Sociology Field Study Evaluation A.3
Student Name__________________________________________
Thank you on behalf of the Sociology department at the University of Central Oklahoma
for allowing this student the opportunity to participate in a field study at this site/agency.
Hopefully our student has helped in return for your guidance. It is necessary that we
assess student work and would ask that you evaluate the student by placing a check on
each area which best represents the student's performance.
Supervisors are requested to review the assessment with the student then send it to the
coordinator in a sealed/envelop. (student to provide)
1(one) is least effective, 3 (three) is average and 5(five) is the most effective.
Least effective__________________________________Most effective
1. Dependability/punctuality
2. Adaptability
3. Cooperation
4. Interpersonal skills with client
5. Ability to maintain professional distance
6. Interpersonal skills with staff
7. Emotional Stability
8. Professional Appearance
9. Initiative
10. General Knowledge of client base
11. Practical Application
12. Ethical Behavior
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
1______2_____3_____4_____5_____
Please note any assets/strengths observed.
Please note any areas needing improvement such as skill sets, inappropriate use of time
(texting, etc) or level of maturity.
__________________________________________
Field Study Supervisor Signature/date
Field Study Site
________________________
Student signature/date
Student Evaluation of the Field Study Experience
Sociology-Human Services A.4
Student Name_____________________________
Supervisor's Name__________________________
Agency Name_____________________________
Date of placement _________________________
From
to
What is your opinion of this experience? Was it effective for your learning purposes?
Were there ineffective duties? Please give concrete examples.
How would you rate the quality of instructions/expectations given?
Least 2 (two) positive outcomes of this experience.
Student's signature/date
________________________________________________________________________
Supervisor's signature/date
Field Study Paper A.5
Due 2 weeks before end of semester. Papers will be returned for correction
with no grade given for papers with more than 3 errors.
Parameters for 4 to 6 page paper. Suggested areas to cover
Describe your placement site, client-base (homeless, teen-parent, families
with children removed due to abuse/neglect, etc.) Public (government) or
private, services provided
Describe various areas you participated in- volunteers, services- meals, after
school instruction, supervised visitation, etc.)
Your overall response to this experience
What skills you were able to develop, hone due to experience.
Did this increase/decrease your interest in working in this area? Why?