Student Field Application Information

1. Student Field Application Information

2. Introduction to Field Education The purpose: to provide hands-on experiential educational opportunities so that students will develop: • Professional identity • Self understanding • Competent practice

3. Student Requirements Students must: • Be enrolled in concurrent practice methods course • Complete 16 hours a week x 15 weeks = 240 hours each semester • Hours are to be accomplished during normal weekday work hours at the agency • Access from web and read the Field Education Manual

4. Student Requirements • Return completed packet by the posted deadline, this includes: • field application • signed statement of understanding • release of information • resume • Graduate students attend 10 hours integrative seminar each semester, concurrent with placement • Undergraduate students attend one hour per week in an on campus integrative seminar

5. Student Responsibility • Make decisions about type of placement desired • Make decisions about preferred location of placement • Arrange life and work schedule to include 16 hours for field during the work week • Submit field application packet by the posted deadline

6. Importance of timely and complete application submission • Application packets received by the deadline will be attended to first. • Late or incomplete packets may be disadvantaged in terms of placement options.

7. Traditional Placement Process • Student’s field application packet is reviewed by the field coordinator • Student is notified of match and provided with agency contact information • Agency is sent student’s resume • Student contacts agency to set up an interview • Student should prepare as if it were a job interview • Student and field instructor meet to determine the goodness of fit (covering the points listed on the Placement Confirmation form) • Placement Confirmation form is signed by student and field instructor at conclusion of interview - accepting or rejecting match, and returned to the Field Office

8. Employment-Related Placement Process • Agency must meet criteria and approve of student placement • Student must be employed (full-time) with the agency • Work supervisor can not act as field instructor • 16 hour weekly requirement is divided as follows: • 8 hours in current position with tasks defined for educational purposes • 8 hours in separate department/unit • Review the Employment-Related Placement Policy in the Field Manual at socialwork.msu.edu and the Employment-Related Plan form under Student Resources.

9. Final Note • All materials must be received prior to beginning field placement. • Students should not solicit placements without the permission of a field coordinator. • We look forward to working with you!

10. Resources School of Social Work - Field Education Website socialwork.msu.edu then click on Field Education Field Education Manual and Student Field Application Form are available on the website.

11. Field Coordinator Contact Information Julie A. Navarre, LMSW Lead Field Coordinator 517-432-3722 navarre@msu.edu Leisa A. Fuller, LMSW East Lansing Program Field Coordinator 517-353-8631 fullerle@msu.edu Cori L. Denay, LMSW, ACSW Flint/Oakland/Saginaw Programs Field Coordinator 989-414-0470 denaycor@msu.edu Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, MSSW, LMSW, ACSW Statewide Program Field Coordinator 517-432-1659 will1534@msu.edu