Practicum
Your practicum is an exciting and important step in becoming a professional social worker.
You can put your learning into practice, raise your skill level and find future job leads.
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Practicum timeline and hour requirements
In your final semester, you’ll complete your practicum.
You will work at an approved practicum site that provides social work services.
A Practicum instructor at the site and the Practicum Coordinator support you throughout the practicum.
Seek normal working days (Monday-Friday) and hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for your practicum. You cannot exceed 40 hours per week at your practicum.
- Course: SWK 490 Practicum in Social Work
- When: Spring semester of your senior year.
- Length: 400 hours, minimum. On average, that’s about 30 hours per week for 15 weeks.
How to get started: Attend pre-Practicum orientation and do your paperwork
After you’ve met course requirements and GPA standards:
- Attend the pre-practicum orientation meeting.
- This meeting occurs early in the fall semester before your spring placement. Review the Practicum manual (.docx) or check with the Practicum Coordinator for the exact date.
- Read the BSW Practicum manual before you attend the pre-practicum meeting.
- Complete and submit the necessary pre-placement paperwork, which is provided to you at orientation.
- Schedule a separate, one-on-one meeting with the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Practicum Coordinator.
During your one-on-one meeting with the practicum coordinator, you’ll discuss your goals and possible sites.
While the practicum coordinator can help you, it’s up to you to contact practicum sites, request interviews and select your placement.
Helping you find the right fit
Our goal: Make sure you have a successful experience at the right place.
Practicum documents
Examples of Practicum sites
With approval from the Practicum Coordinator, Practicum settings can include:
- Advocacy and community organization
- Child welfare and family service
- Counseling
- Health care (hospitals, hospice, rehab)
- Schools/Education
These are just a few examples. Talk with the Practicum Coordinator to discuss what’s possible.
Explore prospective practicum agencies
Guidelines and restrictions
- In most cases, you cannot do your placement at an agency in which you and/or a close family member or friend have been a client. Talk to the Practicum Coordinator about exceptions.
- You cannot be supervised by a friend or family member.
- Seek varied learning opportunities which are different than past service learning, volunteer and work experiences.
- Handle yourself professionally and conduct yourself in an ethical manner during your practicum. Any breach of the NASW Code of Ethics and/or the MSU Social Work Department Retention and Dismissal policy and/or irresponsible behavior may result in termination of your agency experience and failure of your respective practicum course and seminar. The practicum agency and instructor are considered adjuncts to the Social Work Department's programs.
Practicum tips
Practicum is the culmination of your social work degree.
It helps you enhance your resume, preview your career options and connect with potential employers.
As you decide your Practicum placement, we recommend the following:
- Think of your practicum placement as something you would be proud to put on your resume, moving you forward as a professional social worker.
- Try different aspects of social work to discover your likes and professional goals.
- Place your practicum as a high priority so you can gain the most from the experience and be more effective in your work.
- Approach your practicum with professionalism, meet deadlines and complete the required forms (paperwork).
Balancing work with your practicum
Very few practicums are paid.
If you work at another job, the practicum requirements, your practicum agency and its clients cannot be disregarded for your other responsibilities.
To request an employment to be considered a practicum site, you must complete/submit the Employment-Based Practicum Proposal in the Brightspace Practicum course.
There is often a process of revisions, therefore, it is recommended to begin dialogue early with the BSW Practicum Coordinator to discuss expectations of what makes an approved employment-based practicum.