Frequently Asked Questions From Field Instructors/Supervisors

1. I have only worked with MSW students before, and I am worried about BSW students having less experience. Can you tell me more about how BSW students are prepared for placement?

The Council for Social Work Education requires that all social work students receive a specific curriculum, so our BSW Students have taken courses that are similar to the courses required for first year MSW Students. In addition, our BSW Students must take a field seminar course. This course meets for three hours a week, and provides supervision and support for students in their placements. For these reasons, our BSW Students have additional support and are thoroughly prepared for practice.

1. How many hours are students required to complete for their placement?

BSW Students must accumulate 256 hours in the fall semester and 256 hours in the spring semester, for a total of 512 hours for the academic year. The hour requirement for BSW Students for the 21/22 academic year has been modified to 200 hours for the fall semester and 200 hours for the spring semester (400 total), according to CSWE consideration as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Foundation Level MSW Students must accumulate 240 hours in the fall semester and 240 hours in the spring semester, for a total of 480 hours for the academic year. Advanced Level MSW Students must accumulate 300 hours in the fall semester and 300 hours in the spring semester, for a total of 600 hours for the academic year. The hour requirement for Foundation Level MSW Students for the 21/22 academic year has been modified to 180 hours for the fall semester and 180 hours for the spring semester (360 total), according to CSWE consideration as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The hour requirement for Advanced Level MSW Students for the 21/22 academic year has been modified to 240 hours for the fall semester and 240 hours for the spring semester (480 total), according to CSWE consideration as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

1. How are student’s hours tracked? Student & Field Supervisor Video Tutorials

BSW Students are to submit electronic time logs in Tk20 on a monthly basis. Once completed, Field Supervisors are sent an email alert from the Tk20 system that has a link to the time logs that require their review and approval. These completed time logs must be submitted by the 15^th of the following month by the student into D2L to receive a passing grade for practicum.

MSW Students are to submit electronic time logs in Tk20. Once completed, Field Supervisors are sent an email alert from the Tk20 system that has a link to the time logs that require their review and approval. The frequency (i.e. daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) of when those should be submitted to the Field Supervisor is left to the discretion of the Field Supervisor at the site. At the end of each month the student is expected to export, rename and upload the month’s hours spreadsheet back into Tk20. Here are MSW time log guidelines for the Student and Field Supervisor.

1. How many days/hours a week must students work to complete their hours within a semester? Response based on 21/22 academic year.

For BSW Students to complete 200 hours within a semester (15 weeks), students can work between 13-14 hours a week. Often students will work 2 days a week, unless the agency and student have agreed upon different hours based on agency needs.

For Foundation Level MSW Students to complete 180 hours within a semester (15 weeks), students can work 12 hours a week. Often students will work 2 days a week, unless the agency and student have agreed upon different hours based on agency needs.

For Advanced Level MSW Students to complete 240 hours within a semester (15 weeks), students can work 16 hours a week. Often students will work 2 days a week, unless the agency and student have agreed upon different hours based on agency needs.

1. Are all students required to complete their hours by the end of the spring semester (late April/early May)?

Exceptions are made for students who are placed in school settings where students must continue their internships until closer to the end of that school year (late May/early June). All students who are placed in school settings (or in agencies that work within schools) must provide a schedule of hours that will be completed after the spring semester is over and receive approval from their NEIU Field Instructor/Liaison for those hours, in order to receive a grade for that final semester.

1. Are students able to work during their winter break?

BSW Students are not expected to work during their winter break. If they choose to work during the break, they are only able to accumulate 24 hours total over their winter break, which is applied to their fall semester. Exceptions can be made for settings that require for students to work over the break, or for school settings. If these situations apply, prior approval must be obtained from the student’s NEIU Field Instructor/Liaison.

MSW Students are not expected to work during their winter break. If they choose to work during the break, they are only able to accumulate 30 hours total over their winter break, which can be applied to the total hours required for Field. Exceptions can be made for settings that require for students to work over the break, or for school settings. If these situations apply, prior approval must be obtained from the student’s NEIU Field Instructor/Liaison.

1. What are the dates and holidays for the fall and spring semesters?

Information about the academic calendar and holidays can be found here: https://www.neiu.edu/academics/registrar-services/academic-calendar/fall-2021-summer-2022-academic-calendar

1. What are the expectations for supervision for Social Work students?

Students must receive 1 hour of supervision weekly from a credentialed individual (i.e. LCSW, MSW with two years in the field post MSW, BSW with two years in the field post BSW for BSW students ONLY). Field Supervisors with other credentials (e.g. LCPC, LPC) will have to be reviewed and approved prior to the start of the internship. Formal group supervision can also meet this requirement.

1. Can students complete their internship at their place of employment?

Students are encouraged to carry out their internship at a site different from their place of employment. If the student is employed at a site that offers social work related services, the student can complete an application to request their internship be at the place of employment. The BSW & MSW Directors of Field Education can be contacted regarding this opportunity.

1. What types of paperwork are required from the Field Supervisor?

Field Supervisor must approve electronic time logs in Tk20; complete a Learning Contract Word document with the student, who then will upload it to D2L; and Field Evaluations at the end of the fall and spring semesters. These documents will determine whether or not a student passes practicum. Due dates will be provided in the student’s syllabus and in future communication with Field Supervisors.

1. What is the purpose of the Learning Contract?

The Learning Contract is an opportunity for both the student and Field Supervisor to agree on goals and assignments for the fall and spring semesters. It is considered a working document, and should be updated throughout the placement as new opportunities/assignments arise. This document is very important, as it determines the structure of the placement. The student is responsible for making the Learning Contract available to the Field Supervisor for completion.

1. Does the student complete the Learning Contract, or is it completed by the Field Supervisor?

The Learning Contract is meant to be a collaborative document. The student should begin the contract, creating general goals and assignments. Then, the Field Supervisor should add additional goals and assignments as needed.

1. What is the purpose of the Field Evaluation?

Your role is essential in determining the student’s readiness for the field of social work. The Field Evaluation is an opportunity for you to rate the student’s progress in the nineCSWE Competencies of Social Work Practice that include 1) Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior; 2) Engaging diversity and difference in practice; 3) Advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice; 4) Engaging in practice-informed research and research-informed practice; 5) Engaging in policy practice; 6) Engaging with individuals, families, groups organizations and communities; 7) Assessing individuals, families, groups organizations and communities; 8) Intervening with individuals, families, groups organizations and communities; and 9) Evaluating practice with individuals, families, groups organizations and communities. The evaluations are completed in Tk20 and will determine if a student passes Field Practicum each semester.

1. My students have asked me many questions for their assignments for school. Is this a requirement for their coursework?

During the fall and spring semesters, the students’ Research and Field Seminar courses focus on their field agencies. Students have many assignments (papers, and journals/logs,) that require information about the field placement. We believe that these assignments enhance the field experience, and help students better understand the context of practice. While these assignments are important, we do not expect you to be doing work for your students. Whenever possible, please provide students with documents, paperwork, statistics, etc. so students are able to do their own research.

1. Can NEIU students drive clients or commute for their internship?

NEIU does not provide insurance coverage for students to transport clients. However, if your agency offers insurance that covers students transporting clients in a vehicle provided by the agency (or if a student has insurance that meets your agency's requirements), we do not have a formal policy against this. If a placement requires a great deal of travel we encourage but do not require agencies to reimburse students for their mileage. Students are able to decline use of their personal vehicle to transport clients or participants.

1. Are Field Supervisors able to obtain CEUs for supervising NEIU students?

Field Supervisors can apply for 45 CEUs for supervising students. Instructors can only apply for these CEUs once every academic year. To apply for these CEUs, Field Supervisors must complete and submit the CEU Application for Supervision Form.