SMITH COLLEGE OVERSIGHT:
Faculty Field Advisor (FFA)
The Faculty Field Advisor (FFA) is responsible for overseeing the student’s clinical internship. FFAs are members of the School’s resident faculty, and serve as teaching, mentoring, evaluative, and administrative liaisons between the student and the School. They monitor caseloads and supervision, comment on students’ field assignments, and serve as consultants on problems that may arise in the field, or issues that may emerge from case material. Entering students are assigned FFAs at the start of the first summer session. The FFA contacts the student’s supervisor to build an alliance and to prepare her/him for the internship goals. FFAs help 1st-year students organize a study plan to prepare for the clinical qualifying exam that is given in April. They advise 2nd year students on preparation of the comprehensive examination.
Field Visits
FFAs make field visits each fall and spring to evaluate students in their clinical internship settings. They meet with students for a minimum of 2 hours to discuss written assignments, process recordings, and other case materials; to frame areas for further learning; and to help organize preparations for exams. FFAs meet also with the student’s supervisors. Field visits usually require half a day. It is the student’s responsibility to make all meeting arrangements.
Field Visit Reports
Following their fall and spring field visits, FFAs write-up a Field Visit Report. The Program’s Administrative Assistant sends copies of these reports to the student.
Field Assignments
Students are required to submit monthly reports from the field, including case studies and other types of written assignments, as well as a summary account of clients seen and educational activities attended during the previous month.
Reports are to be emailed as attachments to the Program’s Administrative Assistant, who will log them in and then pass them along for review by the student’s FFA and the Program’s Clinical Co-Director.
It should be noted that the Director of Clinical Services of WAWI has the final authority with regard to
Clinic activities. The Director has the final authority over administration and assignment of cases for the student.
COMPENSATION:
The Smith College Intern receives no compensation during the academic year (September – April). During the Summer (May – August) the intern will maintain contact with continuing cases. The intern will receive $25.00 per clinical hour.