First year interns are foundation social work students which typically means they are coming to social work from another field such as psychology or criminal justice. They are taking their first social work courses at the same time they are beginning their field internships with your agency. Though our students will likely be competent and professional, they may lack certain social work skills. Therefore they need a structured and supportive environment. We believe you will see immense progress over the course of the school year.

The first year MSW students are in field two days per week for both the fall and spring semesters for a weekly total of 16 hours. Since they are in class on Mondays and Tuesdays (including their field seminar) they will generally complete their hours between Wednesday and Friday. Schedules should reflect times that are optimal for both the intern and your agency. There is a calendar provided for each semester which outlines university deadlines and holidays.

The field experience for first year MSW students should include:

• Psycho-social assessments, interviewing, problem solving, and supportive counseling with individuals, families and/or groups (including accompanying paperwork).
• Indirect client work
  • Professional or educational meetings/workshops
  • Evaluation (i.e., data collection, outcomes development)
• Case management (resource allocation and referral)
• Advocacy and planned social change work

Supervision at the internship must be provided by an MSW with at least two years post MSW experience. This person is the Field Instructor and is an extension of our social work faculty, responsible for instructing and role modeling. The Field Instructor must meet with the student for a minimum of one hour per week. We provide orientation for our Field Instructors prior to each semester which gives them information necessary to facilitate a successful internship.

The student may be under the direct daily supervision of a person without a social work degree (Task Supervisor). We would expect that the Task Supervisor hold a degree and several years experience in a human service position. Although the Field Instructor will take the lead role in coordinating the instruction of the student, the task supervisor will work closely with the student to achieve learning objectives.

The internship process is detailed and requires an application, an interview with the field office and an interview with the proposed Field Instructor (and other agency personnel required by the agency). We understand that agencies may have extra requirements and that is perfectly appropriate. This is part of the “real world” experience we want our students to have.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about our field program. I look forward to working with you.

Jane T. Maas-Brady
Director of Field Instruction
Department of Social Work
East Tennessee State University
PO Box 70645
Johnson City, TN 37614
maasbrad@mail.etsu.edu
423-439-6017 office
423-439-6010 fax