Student Resources
This page is your home base for everything practicum-related, from logging into Sonia and understanding the placement process to exploring available sites and hearing from students who’ve been through it.
Getting Started with Sonia
The School of Social Work uses Sonia, a practicum management platform, to handle everything from your initial application to final evaluations. The Field Education Team will send you your login details before your practicum begins.
How Placement Works
Before you can begin your practicum, you’ll complete a Practicum Application through Sonia. This collects background information, areas of interest, and an initial assessment of your social work competencies. From there, the process looks like this:
- Browse available sites using Sonia and the Practicum Placement Library below.
- Meet with a member of the Field Education Team assigned to your program to discuss your interests, goals, and placement options. Review the Field Education Team contact list to find the person assigned to your program.
- Interview with two or three agency supervisors — the Field Education office will guide this process. Do not reach out to agencies on your own before this step.
- Make your final selection in a follow-up meeting with the Director of Field Education.
Important: Practicum hours do not count until all required documentation has been submitted correctly.
Practicum Placement Library
Explore all available practicum sites for the academic year. Each listing includes the agency name, practice level, focus areas, placement type, location and format, and contact information.
- Download the Practicum Placement Library
- Prefer to browse by video? Watch the Practicum Placement Library playlist.
Not sure where to start? Watch a few agency videos, then bring your top interests to your meeting with the Director of Field Education.
Hear From Students
These panel recordings feature current and former UM social work students talking honestly about their practicum experiences — what they learned, what was hard, and what they wish they’d known going in. Watch the one that matches your program.
Past Panels
Want to hear more student perspectives? We have recordings covering BSW, MSW, and Online MSW experiences. View the Practicum Panel Playlist
All Programs — 2026
This year's panel features students from across all programs talking about placement decisions, navigating challenges, self-care, and advice for Year 2.
Practicum Panel - All Programs 2026
Forms & Documents
Review these documents before and during your practicum. If you have questions about any of them, reach out to the Field Education Team.
- BSW_MSW-Generalist Sample Learning Agreement: Example learning agreement for BSW and generalist MSW students
- MSW-Specialization Sample Learning Agreement: Example learning agreement for MSW specialization students
- Continuation of Practicum Proposal: For students continuing at the same agency for their specialization year placement.
- Employment-Based Practicum: For students completing practicum at their current employer
- Field Placement Safety Checklist: Required safety review before starting at your site
- Paid Practicum - Pros and Cons: External article to help you decide if a paid placement is right for you
- Private Practice Placement Guidelines: Private practice placement policy, including detailed approval criteria
- Remote Placement Policy: Guidelines and requirements for remote or hybrid placements
- Social Work Practicum Checklist : Step-by-step checklist to keep you on track before and during practicum