MSW Students' Views of Supervision: Factors Contributing to Satisfactory Field Experiences

Abstract

This article summarizes the results of a qualitative study that examined the experiences of Master's in Social Work (MSW) students during their field internships. The authors conducted focus groups in which students were asked to describe those factors which contributed to successful and/or problematic supervisory experiences. Students expressed that clear expectations of supervision, mutual goal setting of the supervision, the student's ability to advocate for herself, and the ability to use the supervisor as a mentor were all factors that contributed to successful supervision. Other factors that led to confusion in supervision are noted and, last, implications for field supervision are noted.