Students participate in experiential and integrative learning opportunities in affiliated community organizations. The 600 hour practicum experience begins in the senior year of the BASW program. These hours are completed over two semesters. The students work collaboratively with their assigned Practicum Advisor to secure a generalist practicum placement that aligns with their goals and interests. This experience additionally prepares students for the professional positions they will assume in the marketplace after graduation. Students learn under the supervision of a qualified practicum instructor and with the support of a practicum advisor and liaison from the School of Social Work.
The importance of the role of the practicum instructor as teacher, guide, and role model to the student cannot be underestimated. 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.
The practicum education experience is supported through the SONIA online software. All practicum-related documents are both created and housed in this HIPAA-compliant software program. The system is managed by the students, assigned faculty, and the practicum education office. Requests for practicum placements, practicum learning plans, evaluations, and timesheets are a few examples of documents managed through SONIA.
BASW Practicum Education Schedule and Handbook
- BASW Practicum Education Schedule Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 dates
- BASW Student Handbook (PDF)
Practicum Learning Plans and Evaluations
Students are required to complete a Practicum Learning Plan and Practicum Evaluation each semester during their practicum placements. These documents are completed through the Practicum Education Software SONIA in conjunction with the student's Practicum Instructor. The Practicum Learning Plan functions as the syllabus for learning that will take place during the student's internship. The Practicum Evaluations are use to measure progress and identify areas for improvement. Currently the Practicum Learning Plans and the Practicum Evaluation documents are being updated to comply with CSWE 2022 EPAS. A link to the document will be posted in the near future.