Agencies and Practicum Instructors

The role of the practicum instructor as teacher, guide, challenger, and role model to the student is a vital one. Practicum instructors perform these responsibilities on a voluntary basis, often to give back what they were given and to continue to remain current and challenged in their thinking about the practice role they perform and the social issues they face in their work with individuals, families, small groups, neighborhoods, communities, and organizations. No two practicum instructor or student experiences are identical, but there are threads of commonality in all practicum placement experiences.

Agency Affiliation

The School of Social Work defines an agency as an organization that can provide an educational experience that will allow the student to gain competence in the 9 areas of the social work profession as outlined by CSWE.

Agencies can be identified as a possible practicum site in various ways, including by practicum advisors, program faculty, UPJ and UPB MSW Regional Program Directors, referral from other practicum instructors or agency training coordinators, self-referral, or students. Agencies providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment that models affirmation and respect for diversity and difference are purposefully recruited. In most instances, practicum advisors will not recommend using agencies as practicum placement settings that have been in operation for less than one year.

Agencies considering being a practicum education placement may want to consult: Internships, Department of Labor Regulations, and Social Work Field Education: Setting the Record Straight, February 25, 2014.

Agencies are selected based on their ability to:

  1. Provide in-person contact with clients and constituencies.
    1. For Generalist students this entails contact with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
    2. For Direct Practice Specialization students this involves contact with individuals, families, and small groups.
    3. For COSA Specialization students this requires contact with groups, organizations, and communities.
  2. Offer a broad range of learning experiences and assignment of professional responsibilities consistent with the student's educational program and level.
  3. Provide a qualified practicum instructor(s).
    1. An agency that is not be able to provide a qualified practicum instructor may be considered if it is found to offer a unique learning opportunity for students. A qualified off-site MSW will be appointed to provide Practicum instruction as per guidelines outlined in the MSW handbook.  The Director of Practicum Education makes this decision in conjunction with the Practicum Faculty Advisor at Pitt-Main or by MSW Regional Program Directors at Pitt Johnstown (UPJ) and Pitt-Bradford (UPB) for agencies in their areas.
  4. Prior to signing an affiliation agreement, the agency must schedule time to meet with the Director of Practicum Education for Pitt-Main or the respective MSW Regional Program Directors at Pitt-Johnstown (UPJ) and Pitt-Bradford (UPB).  The affiliation agreement  is signed by the Director of Practicum Education and the Dean of the School of Social Work for all campuses.

Key Information

The following pages provide critical information about the affiliation process, required documentation, and practicum instruction.

The Practicum Liaison

The School of Social Work's official definition of Practicum Liaison is as follows:

  • The Practicum Liaison for all MSW students will have a CSWE–accredited Social Work MSW degree with 2 years post master’s experience and will review the practicum learning plan with the practicum instructor and task supervisor at the agency, conduct at least one practicum visit per term (more if needed) and will review and sign off on the student’s evaluation and timesheet at the end of each term. In rare instances the Practicum Liaison also function as the Practicum Instructor.

More information related to the Practicum Liaison role and process can be found in the MSW and BASW handbooks.