Field Education Coordinator
Our role is multifaceted but primarily involves facilitating field education (practicum) placements for BSW and MSW students within the School, working in conjunction with the Field Education Assistant and the Associate Director of Field Education.
Once a student has submitted an application for field education, they are assigned to one of us. When initially meeting with their Coordinator, the student's practice-based learning goals are discussed and areas of practice-interest are identified. Subsequently, conversations occur with possible agencies in which the given placement could occur and the Coordinator submits an application to the student's preferred choice. The placement process can take on many forms but is collaborative as a Coordinator works with the student and community partners to identify and solidify a placement, which will provide the student with a rich learning experience. A central aspect of this placement process, and the Coordinator role more generally, is establishing and maintaining collaborative and reciprocal partnerships with agencies that provide mentorship and supervision to our students while in the field.
Once a placement is solidified, we collaborate with the other members of the Field Education Team to assign students to Faculty Liaisons. Faculty Liaisons are the students' instructors of record for their practicum courses and work in conjunction with the Field Education Team (and most often the Associate Director of Field Education) in the event that challenges arise within a student's placement during the semester.
We believe that field education is central component of social work education and the Coordinator Team is pleased to collaborate with students, staff, faculty and community partners. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us with questions and/or concerns.