Online MSW field responsibilities

For pre-placement due dates, refer to the cohort-specific field calendar.

Pre-field orientation

Students will attend a mandatory pre-placement field orientation session which will cover all aspects of the field placement process and will provide additional details about the required steps below.

Field application & proposal

Students will submit the following documents no later than the assigned due date:

• Field Practicum Application & Proposal
• Student Resume (using UNRSSW Field Student Resume template)

Proposal response received

Students will receive feedback from the Field Education Program Office regarding their field placement proposal. Approval will allow the student to begin making contact with identified agencies to set up interviews. Students whose proposals are not approved or where there are concerns about the proposal will be counseled by the Field Education Program Office and provided assistance in identifying appropriate placement options in their community.

Agency contacts & interviews: Online/local students

The Field Education Program Office will review the Field Application & Proposal and forward the student’s resume to selected agencies for consideration with notification to the student of which agencies were selected. Students shall not make contact first with the agency as agencies will contact students to schedule interviews. Students should not follow up with agencies after interviews, with the exception of a brief call/email thanking the interviewer for their time. Agencies are asked to return interview lists by a designated date with the following:

• The number of students the agency is able to accept
• A ranking of students interviewed based on interview performance, fit with the agency’s mission, services and culture
• Important feedback for the student and/or field program staff

Agency contacts & interviews: Online/remote students

Using the Agency Introduction Packets provided, students will contact their proposed field agencies, introduce themselves and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Social Work, and request internship interviews. It is recommended that students interview with at least three (3) agencies to maximize the possibility of acceptance for placement. Students should not follow up with agencies after interviews, with the exception of a brief call/email thanking the interviewer for their time.

Placement plan & documents: Online/remote students only

Once interviews are complete students will select a placement from the agencies that have offered an internship opportunity. The student and agency will complete the Placement Plan and the student should collect the following documents from the agency and submit with the Plan by the designated due date:

• Agency Setting Application
• University of Nevada, Reno Organizational Agreement
• Field Instructor Application

Placement confirmation: Online/local students

The Field Education Program Office will review all agency responses against student preferences and reserve the right to make the final placement decision. Agency capacity, rankings, and feedback will be given priority over student preference due to the significant contributions made by field agencies and their staff throughout the placement year. Each student will receive an email notification confirming the selected field placement and instructing the student to contact the agency to begin any “pre-hire” paperwork.

Placement confirmation: Online/remote students

Field Program staff will review the Placement Plan and verify that all agency documentation has been received and is complete. If the placement is satisfactory the Plan will be approved. Each student will receive an email notification confirming the selected field placement and instructing the student to contact the agency to begin any “pre-hire” paperwork.

The following items are completed only at the start of the first semester of each placement year. All items are to be completed prior to the start of the semester according to due dates assigned in the Field Resource Center or field seminar class.

Review of required field preparation documents & completion of acknowledgement form

Students are required to review the following to prepare for Field placement:

• NASW Code of Ethics
• University of Nevada, Reno
• IASSW and IFSW Statement of Ethical Principles

Student review of practicum setting

Students must download and complete the Student Review of Practicum Setting utilizing all available material and information about the agency with which they have been matched. Field Instructors should not be approached to assist with this.

Field orientation

Students will attend the mandatory field program orientation which will cover all aspects of field placements and will provide additional details about the required semester activities listed below.

The following items are completed at the start of each semester of teach field placement year. Refer to individual action items for specific due dates.

Learning agreement

Students will complete the Learning Agreement document and set up an appointment with the field instructor to review and sign the document. Submitted to the faculty liaison according to due dates assigned in the field seminar class.

Due date: Beginning of semester

Field time log

Using the Field Time Log template, students will track their field hours and submit the completed logs to the faculty liaison according to due dates assigned in the field seminar class.

Due date: Ongoing

Individual practice assessment

Students will complete and submit the Individual Practice Assessment to the faculty liaison according to due dates assigned in the field seminar class.

Due date: Ongoing

Site visit form

Using the Site Visit Form, students will complete section two of the form, and submit to the faculty liaison prior to their scheduled site visit according to their directions. The field instructor does not participate in the completion of this form. Submitted to the faculty liaison according to due dates assigned in the field seminar class.

Due date: Mid-semester

Field evaluation

Students will partially complete the Concentration Evaluation of Student Performance and set up an appointment with the field instructor to complete the form. Submitted to the Faculty Liaison according to due dates assigned in the field seminar class.

Due date: End of semester