Field Education Update: Criteria for Students, Part 1
May 1, 2020
Dear MSW students,
The current health crisis continues to be extremely challenging on many levels for our students, faculty & staff. Our community has found strength and demonstrated perseverance in working through this together.
I write to share an update about BUSSW’s plan for face-to-face internships this summer. During this time of prolonged uncertainty about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), BUSSW will continue to suspend face-to-face field placements until June 1st, 2020. Toward the end of May, we will re-evaluate this decision one we have more information about the ongoing pandemic.
This decision is based on the increasing evidence that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continued to drastically affect our communities and could negatively impact the health of our clients and ourselves. We continue to consider all factors that may impact our student’s ability to complete their education in a timely manner – while balancing it with support and guidance during this unprecedented time. The Field Education department will work with advisors and field instructors to support students and agencies as we work through the public health crisis and focus on safety.
We will make adjustments as the crisis continues to unfold and communicate them as soon as we can. Presented below are the guidelines for students beginning or continuing field placements in the summer 2020 term.
If we work together, communicate openly, and find ways to develop patience and understanding, I believe we can get through this as a community.
Sincerely,
Denita Johnson
Assistant Dean for Field Education
COVID-19 GUIDELINES FOR SUMMER 2020 FIELD PLACEMENTS
Students who have confirmed summer placements may begin or continue in their placements in a remote capacity, if permitted by their host agency. Field coordinator/director will contact field placement site to identify an Alternate Field Placement Work Plan until stay-at-home orders are lifted. Students work collaboratively with advisor, the field education department, and agency to complete learning agreement and move forward with placement.
If a student has a confirmed summer placement but cannot engage in an Alternate Field Placement Work Plan, the Field Education Department will work collaboratively with student and advisor to identify appropriate BUSSW field readiness trainings. Student will begin placement once stay at home orders are lifted.
Students and advisors must confirm that the agency is able to provide appropriate supervision in order to utilize an Alternate Field Placement Work Plan (found on the Field section of COVID-19 web page).
For students who do not have a confirmed summer placement, the field coordinator director/ advisor will discuss alternative placement start options with the student.
Students in Students in Employer-Based Placements are not allowed to conduct face-to-face-field education tasks or assignments. However, students may utilize an Alternate Field Placement Work Plan. Students should discuss any implications of this suspension with the agency’s HR department.
BUSSW will be monitoring national plans to return to work. If your state, county, or city has rescinded the stay at home order and your agency is allowing a return to work, please inform email the BUSSW Online Field Office at sswolpfe@bu.edu. We will consult with our Office of General Counsel to authorize face to face contact.
For more information about BUSSW’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, please consult our website.