Director of Field Education- Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

Director of Field Education- Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

Position Summary

The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at Trevecca Nazarene University invites applications for a full-time faculty position serving as Director of Field Education. Field education is the signature pedagogy of social work education, and the Director ensures that all field placements meet CSWE accreditation standards and support student development of the nine social work competencies across foundation and specialized practice levels. The position includes a 50% course release to administer and oversee the field education program, with the remaining responsibilities including teaching within the MSW curriculum and participating in program governance and student advising.

This position is based in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Director is responsible for developing, coordinating, and evaluating field education partnerships; placing students in appropriate field settings; supporting field instructors and students; and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. The position collaborates closely with program faculty, community partners, and university leadership to maintain high-quality field education experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Field Education Leadership

• Provide leadership and administrative oversight for the MSW field education program.
• Ensure compliance with CSWE accreditation standards related to field education.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and documentation related to field education.
• Maintain and update the MSW Practicum Education Manual and related materials.

Field Placement Development

• Develop and maintain relationships with community agencies to support high-quality field placements.
• Identify, evaluate, and approve field education sites in accordance with program and accreditation standards.
• Coordinate the student field placement process and match students with appropriate agencies based on learning goals and specialization.
• Maintain and manage affiliation agreements with field agencies.

Field Instructor Recruitment and Support

• Recruit and orient qualified field instructors who meet CSWE supervision requirements.
• Provide training, resources, and consultation for field instructors and task supervisors.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the MSW program and field agencies.

Student Placement and Support

• Guide students through the field placement process.
• Review and approve competency-based learning contracts.
• Monitor student progress through regular communication with field instructors.
• Address student concerns related to field placement, supervision, or professional development.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure competency-based evaluation of student performance through midterm and final field evaluations.
• Conduct site visits or virtual meetings with field instructors and students as appropriate.
• Monitor completion of required field hours and placement requirements.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Teach MSW courses as assigned, which may include foundation or advanced field seminar courses.
• Facilitate integration of field education with classroom learning.
• Participate in curriculum development, student advising, and program governance as a faculty member.

Program Assessment and Continuous Improvement

• Collect and analyze field education assessment data.
• Evaluate field placement sites and field instructor effectiveness.
• Participate in program evaluation and accreditation processes.

Course Delivery Model

• Fully online format
• Flipped classroom structure (asynchronous pre-work + live discussion/application)
• One required synchronous evening session per week
• 6-week accelerated terms
• Adjunct faculty facilitate interactive, application-oriented synchronous sessions that build on students’ completion of weekly asynchronous materials.

Required Qualifications

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited program
• Minimum of two years post-MSW professional practice experience
• Demonstrated expertise in the assigned content area
• Commitment to the mission and Christian identity of Trevecca Nazarene University
• Ability to teach effectively in an online, accelerated format

Preferred Qualifications

• Earned doctorate (PhD, DSW, or related field)
• Current clinical licensure (e.g., LCSW) if teaching clinical practice courses
• Prior graduate-level teaching experience
• Experience with online or hybrid instruction
• Experience in competency-based education

Applications Candidates should complete an application and send a letter of interest, application, curriculum vitae, a statement of faith, philosophy of teaching, and names of three references with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses to Dr. Wesley Furlong. jwfurlong@trevecca.edu

The University

Trevecca Nazarene University is a Christian community providing education for leadership and service. Trevecca is a private, accredited, co-educational, comprehensive institution of higher learning that exists to meet the higher educational needs of the Church of the Nazarene. Its academic programs are based on Christian values that promote scholarship, critical thinking, and meaningful worship for students in preparation for lives of leadership and service to the church, the community, and the world at large. The University is located on a beautiful and historic campus only minutes from downtown Nashville, Tennessee.