Guidance for Site Mentors

Thank you for your willingness to serve as a site mentor for our program! Your guidance is crucial in molding the next generation of professionals in the field of higher education and student affairs as you provide them valuable real-life experiences. On this page, you will find additional information about the program requirements for our students, guidelines to follow as a site mentor, and the expectations for supervision.

Fieldwork Site Requirements

Fieldwork candidate can be placed only in sites that have an active approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Redlands. Criteria that are used in determining site eligibility include the following:

• The availability of supervisors who meet the qualifications as specified below and work on-site.
• The site is considered a non-profit college, university, or other institution of higher education.

Site Mentor Requirements

Fieldwork candidates must be assigned to a site mentor who has the appropriate qualifications. According to the Department of Leadership and Higher Education, a qualified supervisor:

• Holds a master’s degree in counseling, higher education, higher education student affairs, or a related field.  
• Has a minimum of two years’ post-degree experience as appropriate to the Fieldwork Candidate’s fieldwork setting.   
• Has worked at least one year in the college site where supervision will be conducted.  

Site Mentor Responsibilities

1. To ensure the fieldwork candidate does not commence hours at the site, including orientation or training, without a fully executed partnership agreement with the University of Redlands.
2. To provide fieldwork candidates with orientation to the fieldwork site including orientation of the type and scope provided by the site to its new employees.
3. To provide appropriate and qualified training opportunities for the fieldwork candidate to complete the hour requirements for the program aligned with their professional goals and the Program Learning Outcomes.
4. As applicable to the functional area, provide fieldwork candidates with opportunities to earn a range of hours through programming. Whenever possible, these experiences should involve working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
5. To provide the fieldwork candidate with regular individual supervision that involves the assessment of the fieldwork candidate’s work to review skill development, observations, or collaborative service delivery. It is strongly recommended that a set day/time for weekly supervision be established for consistency.
6. To be physically present whenever the fieldwork candidate is on site or to be available via video/phone for consultation when services are being provided virtually. In rare instances when the assigned site supervisor is unavailable, an individual holding the same qualifications as the site mentor may be designated as the substitute site mentor. Should such an arrangement extend more than two weeks, the Office of Licensures and Credentialing (olc@redlands.edu) should be notified.
7. To collaborate with the fieldwork candidate as they establish goals at the beginning of the term and complete two formal evaluations of the fieldwork candidate (at the mid and end points of the term) initiated by the fieldwork candidate, and ensure the fieldwork candidate is making adequate progress to complete and log their fieldwork hours appropriately.
8. To notify the Office of Licensures and Credentialing (olc@redlands.edu) if the fieldwork candidate presents with any concerning behaviors, including ethical violations and unprofessional behavior. The OLC should also be notified if there are any changes to the counselor trainee's practicum placement, such as a change in supervisor or start/end dates.