Field Education Manual
Getting Wildly Prepared for Field
Tevera Field Education Software
BASW Field Education FAQs
Q. How soon should I begin planning for my field placement?
A. All BASW students preparing for field placements will receive advising and should purchase a user license and register in Tevera and begin contacting agencies, 4-6 months before their planned field semester. Students drive the process and are responsible for arranging interviews and completing all required items connected to field placement. Students should aim to have their placement agency secured and all paperwork wrapped up 2-3 months before the start of the semester.
Q. What is Tevera and how much does it cost?
A. Tevera is a secure, hosted, online field management system used by the UK CoSW to manage all field-related processes and placement activities. Students can purchase Tevera through a direct link in the BASW Student Services Suite ($195 + tax) or through the UK Bookstore ($270 + tax). Students purchase Tevera only once and will use the system for all of their field courses and activities while at the CoSW.
Q. When should I purchase a Tevera license and register in the system?
A. Students should purchase their license and register in the system at the start of their agency search process. The Tevera database includes all of the CoSW’s approved placement agencies and contact information, allowing students to get started early in securing their field agency. Starting this early ensures that students can secure the placement that is right for them and that will work best for their degree plan and situation.
Q: How do I find a field placement?
A: At UK, we want students to take the lead and feel empowered to select the agency settings that is right for them. Within Tevera, our online field management system, we maintain an expansive list of approved agencies throughout the US. All students must purchase a user license and register with Tevera to explore approved agency details, and may also suggest a new agency for their placement. All agencies must establish a partnership agreement with UK, which also provides liability coverage for students while in the placement. Important information about Tevera and licensing costs can be found on the Tevera Home page and in the BASW Student Services Suite.
Q. Are there tutorials or guides that explain how to use Tevera?
A. Yes! Once you have registered your user ID using your UKY email account, you can review the various tutorials included in the system, located on the left side of the screen. The CoSW has also developed a set of Quick Reference Guides that walk users through the basics of getting started in the system, how to complete the assignments and activities due in field courses, like completing timesheets, and guides for field supervisors and course instructors. These are found on the CoSW Field website.
Q: What are the hour requirements in field placements?
A: Students taking a BASW practicum course (SW 444 & SW 445) must demonstrate Foundation-level skill competencies and complete 200 hours of field engagement in each course. Seminar classes and related learning experiences count toward their overall field requirements. Students will establish a learning plan and be assessed at midterm and final points, and will spend approximately 14 hours each week in their agencies depending on the length of the semester.
Q: Can my employer host me in my field practicum?
A: Maybe! Students working in agencies where social services are provided and social work competencies can be developed may be able to complete their practicum in their workplace. Agencies must meet specific criteria and have a partnership agreement in place, and students pursuing this option must submit an employer-hosted placement application (Tevera). A student’s current position may also provide learning opportunities where some of their work hours may be captured toward their field requirements. Importantly, a student’s educational supervision must be provided by someone meeting Field Instructor criteria and different than their work supervisor.
Q: Can I complete two placements in the same agency?
A: Yes! SW444 and SW445 may be completed in the same agency if there are acceptable learning opportunities and the student’s placement includes appropriate breadth, depth, and diversity of experience.
Q: When can I start my practicum?
A: Students begin in their agencies during the first week of the semester, as planned with their agency supervisor. Student may attend orientation trainings prior to the semester’s start and should email coswfield@uky.edu for approval if an earlier start is needed.
Q: Are there other requirements before I begin field education?
A.: Students may need to undergo a national or state-level background check, drug screening, or complete medical vaccines and/or screenings such as a Tuberculosis test or COVID vaccine. Students should double-check the agency requirements around medical and administrative requirements 6 weeks before they expect to begin in the agency to ensure there is enough time for processing. Students completing their placement in Ohio will also be required to obtain a Social Work Trainee license prior to beginning in their agency.
Q: Who can supervise me at my placement?
A: BASW students receive weekly supervision from an agency-based Field Instructor who must have an undergraduate or graduate social work degree from a CSWE accredited institution, with two years of post-degree experience.
Q: How should I prepare for agency interviews?
A: You should treat the interview as a professional job interview and research the agency’s programs, client populations and services, and consider how your interests align with their work. For in-person or virtual interviews, business casual clothing (conservative tops/shirts and nice pants/skirts) is always appropriate. If interviewing virtually, using a blurred or virtual background can be a nice way to keep the focus on you and not your surroundings. Always send a copy of your updated resume before the interview and a thank you email or card afterward.
Q: Are there any paid placements?
A: Yes! Although paid field placements may be more limited, students may receive stipends and compensation during their field placements. Notices will be posted on the student listserv when paid placements are available and students can also review funded opportunities with the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. Paid placements are often competitive and may only be available for specific semesters.
Q: Can I complete an international placement or field placement in another state?
A: Yes! Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one field education course on campus before requesting such an option. International placements also require a specific international agreement, in addition to the standard UK partnership agreement. Students interested in an international placement should email coswfield@uky.edu and request a field advising session to ensure details, such as course requirements, deadlines, and supervision, are all factored into their plan.
Q: How should I communicate if I have unique circumstances that require special consideration?
A: Students with special circumstances that may impact a student’s ability to complete field requirements are encouraged to include details on their Student Details Profile form in Tevera, and can also request an individual field advising session by emailing coswfield@uky.edu. Unique circumstances can include things like having a criminal conviction that could prevent some placement options, while others may relate to a student’s family obligations or medical issues.
Q. Since I am earning my BASW, will I have Advanced-Standing if I pursue an MSW?
A. Yes! An Advanced-Standing student will have earned an undergraduate degree in social work no more than 7 years ago and will only need to complete the 30-hour MSW program at the CoSW. Because BASW students complete a Foundation-level field placement (400 total hours) for their undergraduate degree, Advanced-Standing students will only need to complete an Advanced-level field placement (500 total hours).
MSW Field Education FAQs
Q. How soon should I begin planning for my field placement?
A. All MSW students preparing for field placements will receive advising and should plan to register in Tevera and begin contacting agencies 4-6 months before their planned field semester. Students drive the process and are responsible for arranging interviews and completing all required items connected to field placement. Students should aim to have their placement agency secured and all paperwork wrapped up 6-8 weeks before the start of the semester.
Q. What is Tevera and how much does it cost?
A. Tevera is a secure, hosted, online field management system used by the UK CoSW to manage all field-related processes and placement activities. Students can purchase Tevera through a direct link in the MSW Student Services Suite ($195 + tax) or through the UK Bookstore ($270 + tax). Students purchase Tevera only once and will use the system for all of their field courses and activities while at the CoSW.
Q. When should I purchase a Tevera license and register in the system?
A. Students should purchase their license and register in the system at the start of their agency search process. The Tevera database includes all of the CoSW’s approved placement agencies and contact information, allowing students to get started early in securing their field agency. Starting this early ensures that students can secure the placement that is right for them and that will work best for their degree plan and situation.
Q: How do I find a field placement?
A: At UK, we want students to take the lead and feel empowered to select the agency settings that is right for them. Within Tevera, our online field management system, we maintain an expansive list of approved agencies throughout the US. All students must register with Tevera to explore approved agency details and may also suggest a new agency for their placement. All agencies must establish a partnership agreement with UK, which also provides liability coverage for students wherever they may be placed. Important information about Tevera and licensing costs can be found on the Tevera Home page and in the MSW Student Services Suite.
Q. Are there tutorials or guides that explain how to use Tevera?
A. Yes! Once you have registered your user ID using your UKY email account, you can review the various tutorials included in the system, located on the left side of the screen. The CoSW has also developed a set of Quick Reference Guides that walk users through the basics of getting started in the system, how to complete the assignments and activities due in field courses, like completing timesheets, and guides for field supervisors and course instructors. These are found on the CoSW Field website.
Q. What is the difference between a Regular-Standing and an Advanced-Standing student?
A. A Regular Standing student has an undergraduate degree in something other than social work and will complete the 60-hour MSW program, which includes a Foundation-level field placement (SW 640) and an Advanced-level field placement (SW 740/741). An Advanced-Standing student earned an undergraduate degree in social work no more than 7 years ago and will complete the 30-hour MSW program, which will include the Advanced-level field placement only (SW 740/741).
Q: What are the hour requirements in field placements?
A: Regular-standing students completing the 60-hour MSW program must complete three practicum courses, with each course including 300 hours of agency engagement and experiential learning (900 total). Advanced-standing MSW students must complete two practicum courses with each course including 250 hours of agency engagement and experiential learning (500 total). Minimum field hour requirements for MSW degrees are set by the Council on Social Work Education and reflect the time a student spends in their placement to demonstrate the social work competencies. Students completing their placement in Ohio will also be required to obtain a Social Work Trainee license prior to beginning in their agency.
Q: Can my employer host me in my field practicum?
A: Maybe! Students working in agencies where services are provided and competencies can be developed may be able to complete their practicum in their workplace. Agencies must meet specific criteria and have a partnership agreement in place, and students pursuing this option must submit an employer-hosted placement application (Tevera). A student’s current position may also provide skill-building, learning opportunities where some of their work hours may “overlap” and be dedicated toward their field requirements. Importantly, a student’s educational supervision must be provided by someone meeting the CoSW’s Field Instructor criteria and different than their current work supervisor.
Q: Can I complete all field course placements in the same agency?
A: Yes! Foundation and Advanced field placements may be completed in the same agency if there are acceptable learning opportunities and the student’s placement includes appropriate breadth, depth, and diversity of experience. Students that are focusing their social work careers in a specific service area or client population have the option of building on the momentum gained during their Foundation field placement (SW 640) and continuing in the same agency with new and more challenging learning activities and projects during their Advanced field courses (SW 740/741). Students participating in a certificate program or specific area of study are encouraged to complete their field placements in an agency, or agencies, appropriate to their area of study.
Q: When can I start my practicum?
A: Students begin in their agencies during the first week of the semester, as planned with their agency supervisor. Student may attend orientation trainings prior to the semester’s start and should notify their Course Instructor if an earlier start is needed.
Q: Who can supervise me at my placement?
A: MSW students should receive weekly supervision from a Field Instructor with a MSW degree from a CSWE accredited institution and two years of post-degree experience, ideally within their placement agency or program area. If a Field Instructor is not available in the agency, a Task Supervisor with a different background can oversee a student’s daily activities with an External Field Instructor providing the required hour of weekly educational supervision.
Q: How should I prepare for agency interviews?
A: You should treat the interview as a professional job interview and research the agency’s programs, client populations and services, and consider how your interests align with their work. For in-person or virtual interviews, business casual clothing (conservative tops/shirts and nice pants/skirts) is always appropriate. If interviewing virtually, using a blurred or virtual background can be a nice way to keep the focus on you and not your surroundings. Always send a copy of your updated resume before the interview and a thank you email or card afterward.
Q: Are there other requirements before I begin field education?
A: Students may need to undergo a national or state-level background check, drug screening, or complete medical vaccines and/or screenings such as a Tuberculosis test or COVID vaccine. Students should double-check the agency requirements around medical and administrative requirements 6 weeks before they expect to begin in the agency to ensure there is enough time for processing.
Q: Can my employer host me in my field practicum?
A: Maybe! Students working in agencies where services are provided and competencies can be developed may be able to complete their practicum in their workplace. Agencies must meet specific criteria and have a partnership agreement in place, and students pursuing this option must submit an employer-hosted placement application (Tevera). A student’s current position may also provide skill-building, learning opportunities and some of their work hours may “overlap” and be dedicated toward their field requirements. Importantly, a student’s educational supervision must be provided by someone meeting the CoSW’s Field Instructor criteria and different than their current work supervisor.
Q: Are there any paid placements?
A: Yes! Although paid field placements may be more limited, students may receive stipends and compensation during their field placements. Notices will be posted on the student listserv when paid placements are available and students can also review funded opportunities with the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. Paid placements are often competitive and may only be available for specific semesters. Additionally, graduate research and teaching assistantships can be found in UK’s Handshake and may provide tuition and living stipends, and serve as a field placement setting.
Q: What should I do if I have circumstances that require special consideration.
A. Students with special circumstances that may impact a student’s ability to complete field requirements are encouraged to include details on their Student Details Profile form in Tevera, and can also request an individual field advising session by emailing coswfield@uky.edu. Unique circumstances can include things like having a criminal conviction that could prevent some placement options, while others may relate to a student’s family obligations or medical issues.
Employer-Hosted Field Placement
Students working in agencies where social work competencies can be developed may be interested in completing their practicum in their workplace. A student’s current employment position may provide skill building, learning opportunities and some of their work hours may “overlap” and be dedicated toward their field requirements. Importantly, a student’s educational supervision must be provided by someone meeting the CoSW’s Field Instructor criteria.
Agencies must meet specific criteria and have a partnership agreement in place, and students pursuing this option must submit an employer-hosted placement application (Tevera). Students completing the employer-hosted application will provide their current job description, a description of the proposed field experience with competency-based learning opportunities, and a description of their planned supervision approach. This form will be directly linked to you and to your practicum course instructor in Tevera.