Practicum Application & Guide
- Practicum Application
- Employment-Based Practicum Placement Application
- Practicum Education Overview
- BSW Practicum Placement Required Resume Template
- BSW Student Interview Outcome Form
Social Work majors must complete SWO 451 and 453, Practicum Instruction I and II, and the accompanying seminar SWO 455 and 456 or SWO 454, Block Practicum Instruction with SWO 456, during their senior year in our program.
All 200 and 300 level courses must have been successfully completed prior to the start of practicum. Practicum seminar is an accompanying course to the practicum. This application is completed as part of the Practicum Application Process.
Practicum Applications should be submitted via the online application by the due date. The coordinator of practicum education will begin planning early in the spring semester.
Student Responsibilities
- Preparation of self for an agency-based professional social work educational experience that will reflect an integration of academic learning & life experience.
- Completion of all practicum paper work in a timely fashion
- Complete all requirements for agency placement
- Act in a responsible manner that reflects the image of the agency in the wider community
- Adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics
- Assume an active role in planning the learning activities
- Notify the practicum instructor and the faculty liaison in a timely manner of any issues in practicum
- Complete the Student Training Agreement
About the Practicum Requirement
The undergraduate Social Work Program requires a senior practicum of 400 hours to complete the major. Under no circumstances will students negotiate their own practicum placement.
Before entering the practicum and practicum seminar courses, students must complete all junior level courses required for the major; in addition, students must be in “good standing” as defined below:
- Continued earning of a grade of “C” or better in every social work course required for the major.
- Re-taking any social work course in which a grade of below “C” is received, if the course is a requirement for the major.
- Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better overall and within the major.
- Continued demonstration of suitability and capacity to enter the profession of social work.
Fall & Spring Semester Concurrent Practicum
Most students complete practicum using our fall and spring semester concurrent model. Students complete 200 hours of practicum instruction at the assigned agency. Two days per week (16 hours per week) over two semesters for a total of 400 practicum instruction hours. A bi-weekly seminar in practicum seminar I & II is required. Students remain at the same agency for both semesters
Block (one semester) Practicum
Students may apply for consideration of a Block placement. Block placements are structured as a one semester practicum instruction and weekly seminar class. Students do the same level of work and assignments in one semester as completed by concurrent practicum students in two semesters. Practicum Instruction is four days per week (32 hours a week) for a total of 400 practicum instruction hours. To be considered for a Block placement two additional conditions are required to the list of pre-practicum course and GPA requirements listed below:
- Minimum GPA of 3.25 in social work and 3.00 overall GPA
- Two letters of recommendation from social work faculty
Distal Block Practicum Placements
Distal practicum placements are available and may vary depending on whether you are in the face-to-face or ODC program option. Location options typically include Washington, D.C., and Alaska, though they may differ from year to year. If you are interested in a distal practicum placement, please indicate your interest on the practicum application and reach out to the Director of Practicum Education for more information.
Availability During Normal Daytime Business Hours
Most practicum placements require availability during normal business hours of the agency. A limited number of sites provide the opportunity for students to complete some hours during evening or weekend hours provided there is a qualified instructor to provide supervision. However, this is the exception and students should expect that practicum placements will require daytime responsibilities and should plan their availability accordingly.