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Work Variance Forms

Using Employment for Field Education -- Requesting a Variance

The policy of the School of Social Work is that an employment setting may be used as a field placement if all the regular School requirements are met. The student must follow all requirements for Requests for Approval as outlined in the Field Manual Handbook, SWK 712. A request for using employment for field education (Work Variance Request) must follow the Council on Social Work Education's requirements. According to the Council (Interpretive Guideline 6.4):

"If the student is also employed in the agency where the field practicum takes place, the availability of release time for course and field instruction should be ensured. Student assignments and fieldwork supervision should differ from those associated with the student's employment. It should also be demonstrated that there is no diminution of the program's established requirements in class and field practicum and that field instruction is educationally focused rather than solely centered on agency services."

The Work Variance Request should clearly demonstrate that the field practicum component differs from the student's employment. Students must document the distinctions, including separate supervision, responsibilities, and appropriate learning experiences.

The Work Variance Request must include the following materials:

  1. The "Request to Utilize Employment For Field Education" Form (Work Variance Form).

  2. A letter, from the student, requesting approval and briefly describing the student's assignments that are different from the student's employment.

  3. A current job description.

  4. Complete the "Proposed Field Learning Activities at Place of Employment."

  5. A resume of the MSW (or BSW/MSW for BSW students) who will serve as the field instructor (must be different from the current supervisor).

  6. A letter from the current supervisor or director of the agency that clearly states that the student's field education requirements will be ensured by the agency.

Download Work Variance Forms (All forms are in Word (.doc) Format)

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  1. Work Variance Form Policy

  2. Work Variance Form

  3. Proposed Field Learning Activities at Place of Employment Forms