MSW Practicum Education

MSW Practicum

Four semesters of supervised practicum in a social work agency are part of the core curriculum. Students are expected to be in their placements during the agency's normal hours of operation. No credit is given for life experience or previous work experience. Practicum is a central component of social work education. The practicum provides a comprehensive supervised practice experience, which consolidates content presented in the classroom. The practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply foundation knowledge, skills, values and ethics, and practice skills to enhance the well being of people and ameliorate environmental conditions that adversely affect people. It is essential for professional development that social work students demonstrate knowledge, values and skills of social work practice within the context of the practicum. Practicum placements provide students with a range of learning assignments encompassing areas of social work practice. The practicum is a supervised experience affording students the opportunity to develop a range of professional practice skills and to evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions.

Students must complete 250 agency practicum hours per semester (500 hours for each academic year), attend all seminars, and successfully complete the Learning Plan competencies in order to receive a passing grade for SW5040 or SW5041.  Students in the hybrid program complete 500 practicum hours each summer.  All students must complete a total of 1,000 practicum hours.