Many students ask the question: "Can I do my practicum where I work"? That is a hard question to answer just by simply saying yes. The truth is that every agency is different and the amount of support that students receive from their employing agency is different. The option for students to do a work-site placement is possible, but certain criteria needs to be met for it to be approved. For students it is imperative to understand that for the next two to four years, this is your time to "soak it up". Making the most of your opportunity to learn in practicum is vital to your future as a practitioner, and it is something you can't get back.  

Many students perceive that a work-site practicum is their only option. For some students this is true, but for others it is just the easier route. I encourage you to carefully consider your options as you begin this journey. 

If you are considering applying for a work-site placement, you need to first understand that your agency may not be approved. If your agency is not approved, what are your other options?  If there are other options think about making those changes before you begin practicum (i.e. Financial aid, student loans, part-time program, more supportive agency etc.) 

It is also important to understand what you need from your agency in order to make this work. Whether you are a new employee, have been employed in the agency for many years, or are interviewing with an agency, listed below are the terms that need to be discussed and understood before a work-site placement can be considered.   These items are not optional, as they are mandated by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).  As you are negotiating with your agency please use this checklist to make sure you have addressed these important CSWE mandates for work-site placements.  

The criteria for a worksite placement are as follows:

  1. The job needs to be a social work job. The tasks you are involved in at the job need to give you the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge you are gathering in your classes. Practicum is a time that you should be learning how to apply these new skills and to get constructive feedback from your supervisor in the process.
  2. There needs to be an MSW onsite who can provide you the required hour of supervision a week. The supervisor needs to have been a practicing social worker for at least 2 years post-graduation.
  3. The placement needs to be approved by the Field Director. Upon your request for a worksite placement, I will contact your potential supervisor and discuss the practicum and the tasks you will be involved in. If all requirements are met and the Field Director and Agency are in agreement to you doing your practicum there, your worksite placement will be approved. 

_____My agency (Administrator and Supervisor) will release me from my current job responsibilities to complete new job responsibilities.  During time you are no longer the employee--you should not be paged, you should not be called back to your regular job duties-- you are the student in a new capacity.  You need to help your agency understand this.  If we are not able to separate these roles, a practicum will not be possible in your agency. 

_____My job responsibilities will need to meet the educational objectives for the practicum course.  This will take negotiation between, agency, field director, and student. 

_____My agency will provide a MSW, LMSW or LCSW field instructor who has had two years post MSW experience to supervise and provide field instruction.  The appointed MSW will have to be approved by the director of field education. The agency will allow you to complete the required one hour of supervision a week with the field instructor and to spend your new responsibilities under the direct supervision of the LMSW or LCSW. 

_____Many agencies do not understand what it means to be the student with the approved MSW field instructor.  This should be the time where you observe the MSW, model the MSW, work with the MSW, let the MSW observe you, present cases to the MSW, be trained by the MSW etc.  You should be under their direct supervision of the MSW for the time you spend working on your practicum. 

This is a major commitment on the part of the agency.  It is not just a time for everyone to say yes without understanding the level of commitment.  The first step in negotiating a work-site placement begins with you the student.  As you can see from the level of commitment this is not always the easiest solution.  I encourage you to carefully consider all of your options.  Work-site placements can be an amazing opportunity for students to work and learn while getting their MSW.  However, if all requirements are not met, this experience can leave students feeling like they missed an opportunity to learn and prepare themselves for a career as an MSW.  If you have further questions about this process, or if your job would qualify, please reach out to me and we can meet to discuss your questions and options.