ABSTRACT
Field supervision is an integral part of the educational process for student social workers (Rotholz & Werk. 1984). Supervision serves as a primary method to teach practice knowledge and the effective and efficient delivery of service to clients (Munson, 1979). Field instruction supervisors are expected to teach student social workers how to understand and practice the art and science of professional social work and to serve as professional role models. Field instructors with a sound background in social work practice and the ability to create an environment which enhances the learning experiences of students provide a unique and essential component of professional social work education. The Council on Social Work Education'sAccreditation Standards and Procedures clearly suggests that all social work interns receive supervision from a field instructor
who possesses a professional graduate degree from an accredited social work program (CSWE, 1984). The rationale for this standard is to ensure that the foundation, planning, teaching, and evaluation of the student's field instruction experience are focused on social work. Presumably, essential features of a professional social work education would be lost in the absence of MSW -supervised field instruction.
