three students sitting in a circle talking, with two out of focus in the background

School of Social Work

Agency Field Instructor (AFI) Orientation & Resources

Welcome to Field Education at the University of Montana School of Social Work. Field education, also called practicum education, is a collaborative process, and we are grateful to have you as part of our students' learning experience.

The orientation modules and resources below are designed to support Agency Field Instructors (AFIs) in their role supervising and mentoring social work practicum students. Whether you are new to field education or returning for a refresher, you can review the modules most relevant to your needs.

Training modules are generally 5 to 20 minutes and include supporting resources when available.

On This Page

  1. Welcome to UMSSW & Field Education
  2. Field Education Overview: Purpose, Structure, Roles & Responsibilities
  3. Orienting Students to Field Education
  4. Developing the Learning Agreement
  5. Sonia
  6. Supervision, Feedback & Evaluations
  7. Evaluation of Social Work Practicum
  8. Frequently Asked Questions for Agency Field Instructors

1. Welcome to UMSSW & Field Education

Welcome (14:21 min)

  1. Welcome to Field Education slides.pdf

2. Field Education Overview: Purpose, Structure, Roles & Responsibilities

Field Education Overview (14:21 min)

  1. Overview of Field Education slides.pdf
  2. Memorandum of Understanding of Roles and Responsibilities

3. Orienting Students to Field Education

Orienting Students to Field Education (10:14 min)

  1. Student Orientation to Practicum Agency Slides.pdf
  2. UMSSW Onboarding Checklist
  3. UMSSW Student Developmental Stages Document
  4. Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory Document

4. Developing the Learning Agreement

Developing the Learning Agreement (11:37 min)

  1. The Learning Agreement Slides.pdf
  2. BSW/MSW Generalist Sample Learning Agreement
  3. MSW Specialization Sample Learning Agreement
  4. Learning Agreement Guide

AFI Perspective on the Learning Agreement (13:43 min)

5. Sonia

Sonia (9:51 min)

  1. SONIA Software Sides.pdf
  2. AFI Sonia Guide

6. Supervision, Feedback & Evaluations

Practicum Supervision (15:32 min)

  1. Supervision in Field Education slides.pdf
  2. UMSSW Supervision Agenda

AFI Perspective on Student Supervision (14:36 min)

7. Evaluation of Social Work Practicum

Evaluation of Social Work Practicum (18:02 min)

  1. Social Work Practicum Evaluations slides.pdf
  2. Practicum Evaluation Overview & Rubric

8. Frequently Asked Questions for Agency Field Instructors

Review the Agency Field Instructor Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions about field education, supervision, practicum requirements, and the AFI role.

Questions and Support

For questions about field education, supervision, Sonia, evaluations, or other AFI responsibilities, contact the Field Education Team at um.sw.fieldoffice@mso.umt.edu or view the Field Education Team contact information.

Last reviewed: October 2026