School of Social Work

Most practicum agencies operate during regular business hours, and placements offering substantial evening or weekend hours are less common. Some agencies, such as shelters and residential or congregate care settings, may provide evening or weekend opportunities.

Students should plan to complete at least some practicum hours during regular business hours when agency staff, supervision, meetings, and other learning opportunities are most available. If you anticipate needing evening or weekend hours, discuss your scheduling needs with the Field Education Team early in the placement process.

Some students work full-time while completing practicum, but scheduling can be challenging. Practicum opportunities are often concentrated during regular business hours when agency staff, supervision, meetings, and client services are available.

Students who plan to work full-time should discuss their practicum requirements and the need for schedule flexibility with their employer before practicum begins. Students remain responsible for meeting all practicum, coursework, and supervision requirements.

Remote, hybrid, and fully virtual practicum placements may be available when they meet School of Social Work requirements. Fully in-person placements remain preferred, and virtual placements are not guaranteed.

Students considering a remote placement must demonstrate readiness for independent learning, technology use, professional communication, confidentiality, and remote supervision. Students generally may not complete more than one fully virtual practicum unless an exception is approved by the Field Education Team.

Review the Remote Practicum Placement Policy for complete requirements.

Background check and drug-testing requirements vary by practicum agency. Some agencies may require one or both before a student can begin placement, and certain criminal convictions may affect eligibility for particular settings.

If you have questions or concerns that may affect placement eligibility, contact the Field Education Team early in the placement process so available options and support can be discussed.

Private practice placements may be considered when they meet current School of Social Work requirements and are approved by the Field Education Program. Approval depends on whether the proposed placement can provide the supervision, learning opportunities, professional environment, and competency-based experiences required for practicum.

Students interested in a private practice placement should review the Private Practice Placement Guidelines and discuss the proposed placement with the Field Education Team before making arrangements with the site.

Yes. Some practicum agencies offer hourly pay, educational stipends, grants, or other forms of compensation. Compensation does not change the educational, supervision, competency, or evaluation requirements of the practicum.

A paid practicum is not necessarily the same as an Employment-Based Practicum. Students who intend to use their existing employment position as practicum should review the Employment-Based Practicum requirements.

Yes. An Employment-Based Practicum (EBP) may be approved when a student's employment provides appropriate educational opportunities and allows the student to develop and demonstrate the required social work competencies.

The employment role may already provide appropriate competency-based learning, or the agency may need to provide new or additional responsibilities that create distinct learning opportunities. The employer must support the educational requirements of practicum, including supervision and participation in the Field Education process.

Students interested in an EBP are strongly encouraged to have been employed by the organization for at least three months before requesting approval.

Review the Employment-Based Practicum Overview for requirements and the approval process.

Possibly. Students are generally encouraged to gain diverse learning and practice experiences across their two MSW practicum years. Continuing at the same agency may be appropriate when the specialization-year placement provides new and varied learning opportunities and allows the student to develop the specialization competencies.

Students who want to remain at the same agency must submit a Continuation of Practicum proposal for review and approval by the Field Education Program.

Review the Continuation of Practicum Proposal Overview (PDF).

Research the agency before your interview and think about how its services and learning opportunities align with your professional goals. During the interview, ask about the day-to-day responsibilities of practicum students, onboarding and training, supervision, agency culture, opportunities for professional development, and the types of experiences available to students.

The Field Education Team will help you consider placement options and determine whether a potential agency can provide an appropriate practicum experience.

No. Students should not independently contact practicum agencies before being directed to do so by the Field Education Team.

Students begin by completing the Practicum Application in Sonia, exploring available opportunities, and meeting with the Field Education Team to discuss interests, goals, and possible placements. The Field Education Team will then guide students through the agency interview and placement-selection process.

Review the practicum placement process.

New practicum agencies may be considered. Students should first discuss the proposed agency with the Field Education Team rather than making independent placement arrangements.

The Field Education Program will review the proposed site to determine whether it can meet practicum, supervision, learning, and affiliation requirements. If the site is appropriate, the Field Education Team will guide the agency through the approval and partnership process.

Students typically complete each practicum year with one approved agency. Remaining with one placement across the academic year provides time to become familiar with the organization, develop professional relationships, engage in increasingly independent practice, and work toward the required social work competencies.

Any proposed change in placement should be discussed with and approved by the Field Education Team.

Agency Field Instructor requirements depend on the student's program. For MSW practicum placements, the social work supervisor must hold an MSW from an accredited social work program and have at least two years of post-MSW professional experience. For BSW placements, a qualified BSW or MSW social worker with the required post-degree experience may provide social work supervision.

If a practicum site does not have an eligible social work supervisor, the Field Education Program may work with the student and agency to determine whether approved outside supervision can be arranged.

The social work competencies provide a framework for the knowledge, values, skills, and professional behaviors students develop through social work education. Students use their practicum learning agreement to identify activities and learning goals that support development of these competencies.

The competencies connect classroom learning with practicum and provide a framework for supervision, learning activities, and evaluation throughout the placement.