How are agencies selected to be practicum placement sites?

The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work is located within a large metropolitan community. As a result, a wide variety of placement possibilities exist within the region. We are also in the process of growing our placement opportunities outside of the Charlotte region. Practicum agencies are selected that serve diverse groups and have the potential for adding to the students’ learning experience around practice in diverse settings. Practicum placements for social work students will be selected to support their development of social work values, skills and knowledge at the level of generalist and specialized practice.

The agency must be willing to provide positive learning opportunities for social work students and have someone who is willing and eligible to supervise the student. Each agency has an onboarding meeting with the Practicum Office, must sign an affiliation agreement with the UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services, and any new practicum instructor/task supervisor must attend Practicum Instructor/Task Supervisor training.

The Practicum Office is responsible for selecting practicum sites and discussing the requirements for an Affiliation Agreement. A student may not be placed in an agency unless there is a fully executed Affiliation Agreement between the agency and the College of Health and Human Services.

For additional information about the selection of Practicum Agencies, please see the Practicum Education Handbook.