Field Education Requirements
Practicum Overviews
BSW Junior Practicum
A 40-hour, one-semester practicum providing observational experience in a social service agency. It builds understanding of how human needs are met and prepares students for the 400-hour Senior Practicum. Task Supervisors need one year of social service experience; Field Instructors need a BSW. Students complete weekly journals, Competency 1 of the Initial Learning Plan, and midterm and final evaluations.
BSW Senior Practicum
A 400-hour, two-semester practicum that allows students to apply theory, build generalist social work skills, and understand agency structures and functions. Task Supervisors need one year of social service experience; Field Instructors need a BSW, and at least 2 years of social work experience post-grad.
MSW Foundation Practicum
A 400-hour practicum completed over 2–3 semesters that allows students to apply social work knowledge, theories, and values while developing generalist practice skills. It also provides experience with agency structures and programs. Task Supervisors need one year of social service experience; Field Instructors need an MSW, at least 2 years of social work experience post-grad.
MSW Advanced Practicum
A 500-hour, 2–3 semester practicum where students apply advanced social work knowledge, values, and theories while developing skills in policy, program development, and clinical practice under advanced supervision. Students demonstrate autonomous practice competency. Task Supervisors need one year of social service experience; Field Instructors need an MSW, at least 2 years of social work experience post-grad.
Practicum Prerequisites
BSW Junior Field Practicum
- The student must have completed or be currently completing the fieldwork prerequisite courses
for the major, which include:
- SOCW 321 - Social Work Practice with Families and Groups
- The student must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher and a GPA of 2.5 or higher in all classes designated SOCW to be considered academically eligible.
- The students must participate in the School of Social Work field placement selection process.
- The student must complete all of the required field readiness assessments.
- The student must submit a completed BSW Field Placement Intake form and resume via Experiential Learning Cloud.
- After placement has been confirmed, complete in Experiential Learning Cloud the Field Agency Contract and Field Confidentiality statement forms.
BSW Senior Field Practicum
- The student must have completed or be currently completing the fieldwork prerequisite courses
for the major, which include:
- SOCW 309 - Social Work Practice with Individuals
- SOCW 322 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (W)
- SOCW 323 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (W)
- SOCW 321 - Social Work Practice with Families and Groups
- SOCW 391 - Junior Field Practicum
- The student must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher and a GPA of 2.5 or higher in all classes designated SOCW to be considered academically eligible.
- The students must participate in the School of Social Work field placement selection process.
- The student must complete all of the required field readiness assessments.
- The student must submit a completed BSW Field Placement Intake form and resume via Experiential Learning Cloud.
- After placement has been confirmed, complete in Experiential Learning Cloud the Field Agency Contract and Field Confidentiality statement forms.
MSW Foundation Practicum
- The student must meet with the director of field education.
- The student must have completed or registered for three of the following core courses:
- Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (SOCW 509)
- Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations, and Communities (SOCW 514)
- HBSE I or II (SOCW 511, 512)
- Integration of Faith and Foundation Practice Seminar I or II (SOCW 541, 542)
- The student must complete all the required foundation field readiness assessments at the program’s benchmark level (see table below) that are located in the Foundation Homeroom on eclass.
- The student must submit a completed MSW Field Placement Intake form and resume via Experiential Learning Cloud.
- After placement has been confirmed, complete in Experiential Learning Cloud the Field Agency Contract and Field Confidentiality Statement forms.
- The School of Social Work requires Foundation MSW students to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for eligibility to begin field. The SOSW will schedule an academic review with their school advisor for any student who receives a grade below the academic requirement to develop a plan to begin or remain in field.
MSW Advanced Practicum
- The student must be accepted into advanced standing or have completed foundation-level classes.
- The student must meet with the director of field education.
- The student must complete the field orientation module that includes the advanced field readiness quiz, which requires a 90% for passing. This is located in the Social Work Advanced Homeroom in eclass.
- The student must submit a completed MSW Field Placement Intake form and resume via Experiential Learning Cloud.
- After placement has been confirmed, complete in Experiential Learning Cloud the Field Agency Contract and Field Confidentiality statement forms.
- The School of Social Work requires MSW students to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for eligibility to begin field. The SOSW will schedule an academic review with their school advisor for any student who receives a grade below the academic requirement to develop a plan to begin or remain in field.
Practicum Timeline
This timeline outlines the key steps and milestones for completing your 400-500 hour practicum. Press next to continue through the timeline for practicum.