Social Work Education

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  • 1.  Changing title of "Field Instructor" to something else?

    Posted Apr 16, 2026 14:54

    Hello!

    We have been working to change from "Field" to "Practicum" where we can.  For those of you who have done so or are in the process of doing the same, what do you call your "Field Instructors"?  Have you changed the name?  Or staying with "Field Instructor"?  And if you did make that transition, how did it go for you, your students, and your community partners?

    Thank you!

    Josh


    #FieldEducation

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    Joshua Fegley
    Program Manager
    Tulane University
    New Orleans LA
    +1 (504) 862-3500
    Jfegley1@tulane.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Changing title of "Field Instructor" to something else?

    Posted Apr 30, 2026 10:10

    Joshua,

    My institution has made the shift in language and now call site supervisors Practicum Instructors. It's been slightly confusing for long time faculty and community partners so there have been some slipups in using the new verbiage but, for the most part, everyone is supportive of the change. 

    For us, the nuances of language and title blur the lines when you consider the differences between internship and practicum which mean different things to some administrators even though we use them interchangebly.

    best,

    Warren 



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    Warren K. Graham, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, CASAC
    Associate Dean of Practicum Learning
    Columbia University School of Social Work
    New York, NY
    212-853-5735
    wkg2103@columbia.edu
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