Students
Field Experience
Field Experience Documents
The Multidisciplinary Behavioral Healthcare Program views supervised Field Experience
as the most effective method for students to experience the application of knowledge
obtained in the academic setting and the development of practical skills fundamental
to human services and care giving.
Please read this page carefully as it contains important information you need to plan
and prepare for your participation in the Field Experience course. Planning your field
placement in the community begins far in advance of the semester you take the course.
Prerequisites and Application Process
Students who will be taking the Field Experience course as a part of their required
course work in Behavioral Healthcare will take this course sometime during their junior
or senior year after completing the following pre-requisite & co-requisite Behavioral
Healthcare core courses. Please ensure you have met the prerequesites and corequisites
as per the catalog.
Students are required to complete the field placement application 6-8 months prior to the semester in which they will be taking their Field Placement Course. It is important to note that students will likely be submitting applications before they have completed their pre-requisites, which is acceptable. We do, however, advise that students meet with the Academic Advisor and have a plan in place to ensure that they will have completed those courses before the semester of their Field Experience course. If courses are not successfully completed by the registration time, students may be delayed in taking the Field Experience course. Submitting a Field Experience Application any later than the dates below may also jeopardize a student's opportunity to register for the course for the anticipated semester.
Application Deadlines
| Field Experience Semester | Application Deadline | Field Experience Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2022 | Friday, October 22, 2021 | Summer 2023 | Friday, October 21, 2022 |
| Fall 2022 | Friday, February 25, 2022 | Fall 2023 | Friday, February 24, 2023 |
| Spring 2023 | Friday, June 24, 2022 | Spring 2024 | Friday, June 28, 2023 |
Liability Insurance Requirement
All students taking the Behavioral Healthcare Field Experience course are covered
by professional liability insurance under the policy held by the College of Behavioral
& Community Sciences. Any agency may obtain a copy of the liability insurance certificate
upon request to the Field Placement Coordinator.
Field Planning & Site Selection
Once an application has been submitted, the Field Placement Coordinator will contact
the students to schedule the appointments to plan the field placements 5-7 months
prior to beginning the field experience course.
During the field planning meeting, the Field Placement Coordinator and Student will
work together to identify potential site options based on each student's stated interest.
The objectives of the placement are primarily that of exposure and observation. Therefore,
the selected agency will provide a general opportunity to see how programs operate
and services are rendered. The Field Placement Coordinator will provide the initial
linkage between the site and the student, and students are required to follow-up with
the selected site to schedule interviews and complete any tasks required by the agency
(i.e. background checks, finger printing, completion of agency application, etc.).
The placement of the student will be through mutual agreement after the student visits
the agency and is interviewed by the site supervisor.
Permits
In order to register for the Field Experience course students are required to obtain
a permit. The field placement coordinator will issue permits after field planning
meetings for the semester are complete.
*Students who have MHS 4425 as a required part of their course work are given priority
for registering into the course. Students who do not have MHS 4425 as a required part
of their coursework may be placed on a waiting list and provided a seat on a "space
available" basis – this applies to the Behavioral Healthcare ABA & Research Concentrations
as well.
Field Placement Requirements
- Attending weekly on-campus seminar
- 120 clock hours spent at the agency over the semester
- SPRING or FALL - approx. 8 hours per week for 15 weeks
- SUMMER C - approx. 12 hours per week for 10 weeks
Notification about Screenings for Agency Placement
Positions in the Behavioral Healthcare Field routinely require criminal background
screenings, drug screenings, and other types of screenings prior to internship placements
and/or employment. Students with legal infractions often find that they are unable
to secure positions in the field. It is your responsibility to be aware of the ways
in which your personal background may prevent your placement with agencies for the
Field Experience Course as well as for your future employment. Please be advised that
USF has no influence to circumvent screenings at any agency.
It is important that you disclose any background information that may prevent your
placement early on in your degree pursuit. If you have areas of concern, you should
arrange to meet with the USF Program Coordinator, Academic Advisor, or Field Placement
Coordinator to determine potential alternatives that will assist with your successful
completion of the degree.
Field Placement Coordinator Contact Information
Amy Gierhahn, MA
Field Placement Coordinator
Mental Health Law & Policy MHC 2528
College of Behavioral & Community Sciences
University of South Florida
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33612-3817
Office: 813-974-9007
Fax: 813-974-9327
Submit applications here
Submit questions to: agierhah@usf.edu