Practicum FAQ

When do I do a practicum?

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.

For more information contact the Field Education Office at (785) 864-2268 or
practicum@ku.edu . or visit our website at http://www.socwel.ku.edu/academics/practicum/