As a BSW student, you do a practicum during your senior
year. You spend 16 hours a week in practicum throughout the entire course of
your senior year (about 30 weeks allowing for University breaks)
As an MSW in the two-year program, you do one practicum the
entire course of your foundation level year and a different practicum during the
entire course of your advanced level year. The first year you are in the field
20 hours a week for 30 weeks. The second year you are in the field 24 hours a
week for 30 weeks. If you are in the Advanced Standing program you do one
practicum throughout the course of the year at 24 hours a week for 30 weeks.
Do I get to
choose where I do my practicum?
The Field Education Office has relationships with hundreds
of agencies in many different fields of social work including child welfare
agencies, hospitals, mental health settings, community centers, schools, and
settings working with older adults. All agencies have to meet certain
criteria set out by the Council on Social Work Education and the School of
Social Welfare. Because of these guidelines and the fact that we have
hundreds of students to place, we do not guarantee that a student will be
placed “anywhere he/she may want”. However, we do work hard to plan with you
carefully and take your interests into consideration, as well as ask for
your feedback on the types of settings you prefer.
Can I work full-time and
still be in a practicum?
You cannot work a regular 8-5 job and expect to be in
practicum at the same time. While some agencies do offer evening and weekend
hours, you cannot expect to do your practicum solely in that timeframe. You
are expected to be in your field practicum for at least one “regular”
eight-hour weekday. The remainder of the weekly hours may be done during
non-traditional hours if this meets the agency’s needs. There are some
alternative arrangements available to students who are already working in a
social-service related agency, which include doing a “block” practicum in
the summer or pursuing an Employment-Based Practicum. Both of these options
require a special application once you are already in the program, and are
not guaranteed to you upon entering the program.
