Social Service Worker placement

Practicum regulations

Placement in a practicum is contingent on students’ readiness and availability (see below). While students’ interests are taken into consideration, students are not guaranteed the practicum setting of their choice. A Program GPA (PGPA) of 2.00 is required for practicum placement. Students who are on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or subject to academic or non-academic student misconduct proceedings will not be permitted to register in the practicum.

The practicum planning process begins the semester before a student intends to complete their practicum (i.e., planning for winter practicum is conducted in the fall semester). During the planning process, students will meet with the Practicum and Internship Coordinator to discuss practicum preferences, student availability, and other considerations. The Practicum and Internship Coordinator will assess students’ readiness for practicum based on their knowledge, skills, and professionalism. Students must meet the requirements of the practicum to be offered a placement, including a successful interview with a social service setting or school. To complete their practicum, students must be available weekdays during regular office hours for a minimum of 14 hours per week for 13-15 weeks (210 hours total). Students typically attend their practicum two days per week. The School is not ordinarily able to facilitate evening or weekend placements; however, we recognize that some placements do require evening and weekend work. Student schedule and availability must be discussed with the Practicum and Internship Coordinator during the practicum planning process. Students currently working a part- or full-time job may need to adjust their work schedules (or take time off from their job) to successfully participate in, and complete, a practicum within one semester. Also, concurrent with their practicum, students attend mandatory biweekly seminar classes.

Students who currently work in the field, or who have significant related work experience, may apply for PLAR of HSER 130. Contact the School of Social Work and Human Services for more information.