WHAT IS A Practicum PLACEMENT?
The practicum placement is a required component and the “signature pedagogy” of Social Work Education. Similar to an internship, a practicum placement integrates classroom knowledge and skills with real-world practice in a community agency. For example, students may learn a concept or theory in class and then apply that concept while in practicum placement. The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work practicum placement operates on a concurrent model, meaning that students are enrolled in classes and participate in their practicum placement simultaneously.
Practicum placement requires a commitment of approximately 16 hours per week for the full academic year (fall and spring semesters). Additionally, students must enroll in a 3 credit hour Practicum course, along with any other coursework they are completing during that semester.
Balancing a practicum placement with other responsibilities, such as classes, work, and family can be challenging. Prospective and current students are strongly encouraged to plan in advance for how they will fit practicum placement into their schedule.
At this time, no summer practicum placements are offered. Additionally, the School of Social Work does not grant academic credit or practicum hours for life experience or prior work experience.
When the time comes to start the practicum placement process, each student is connected to a prospective agency. We encourage prospective and current students to learn more about the practicum process and requirements through the information on our website.
Practicum Placement logistics by program
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW):
Timing of practicum placement: BSW students begin planning for placement during Junior year and participate in placement in the Fall and Spring semesters of Senior year.
Practicum hours: BSW students are required to complete 450 practicum hours.
Practicum days: Many BSW students complete practicum on Thursdays and Fridays, however, students may work with their practicum agency to determine if an alternate schedule can be accommodated. Students must complete approximately 16 hours per week.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 3482 (fall only) & SOWK 3484 (spring only), taken during senior year.
Potential practicum tasks: BSW students will participate in a variety of tasks, which may include but are not limited to, conducting routine intakes, advocating for clients, assisting on grant proposals, leading special projects, providing supportive counseling, program evaluation, assisting with policy development and analysis, providing psychoeducation to clients and employees, and case management. Exact tasks will vary based on the practicum placement.
Master of Social Work (MSW):
Timing of practicum placement: 1-Year Advanced Standing MSW students begin planning for practicum placement immediately after accepting their admission offer. Students in this program of study participate in practicum placement in the Fall and Spring semesters of the program.
Practicum hours: Advanced Standing students are required to complete 225 to 240 practicum hours per semester. Note: UNC Charlotte School of Social Work is an accredited program with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). One requirement for CSWE is that all MSW students complete a minimum of 900 practicum hours (CSWE, EPAS, 2022, 3.3.3). For Advanced Standing students, verified practicum hours from their BSW count toward the required 900 hours.
Practicum days: Many on-campus MSW students complete practicum on Mondays and Tuesdays, however, both on-campus and online students may work with their practicum agency to determine if an alternate schedule can be accommodated. Students must complete 16 hours per week.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 7443 (fall only) & SOWK 7444 (spring only). For students in the online Advanced Standing MSW, all classes are fully online, but most practicum placements are in-person.
Potential practicum tasks: Advanced Standing MSW students will participate in a variety of tasks, which may include but are not limited to, conducting intakes and comprehensive clinical assessments, facilitating individual and group therapy, advocating for clients, assisting on grant proposals, leading special projects, program evaluation, assisting on policy development an analysis, providing psychoeducation to clients and employees, and case management. Exact tasks will vary based on the practicum placement.
Timing of practicum placement: 2-Year Advanced Standing MSW students begin planning for practicum placement in the fall semester of their first year in the program. Students in this program of study participate in practicum placement only in the Fall and Spring semesters of their second year of the program.
Practicum hours: Advanced Standing students are required to complete 225-240 hours per semester. Note: UNC Charlotte School of Social Work is an accredited program with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). One requirement for CSWE is that all MSW students complete a minimum of 900 practicum hours (CSWE, EPAS, 2022, 3.3.3). For Advanced Standing students, verified practicum hours from their BSW count toward the required 900 hours.
Practicum days: Students work with the agency to determine a schedule that meets the student and agency needs. Students must complete approximately 16 hours per week.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 7443 (fall only) & SOWK 7444 (spring only), taken during the second year. All classes are fully online, but most practicum placements are in-person.
Potential practicum tasks: Advanced Standing MSW students will participate in a variety of tasks, which may include but are not limited to, conducting intakes and comprehensive clinical assessments, facilitating individual and group therapy, advocating for clients, assisting on grant proposals, leading special projects, program evaluation, assisting on policy development an analysis, providing psychoeducation to clients and employees, and case management. Exact tasks will vary based on the practicum placement.
Timing of practicum placement: 2-Year Traditional MSW students begin planning for their first year of practicum placement immediately after accepting their admission offer. Students in this program of study participate in practicum placement in the Fall and Spring semesters of each year in the program.
Practicum hours: 2-Year on-campus MSW students are required to complete 225-240 practicum hours per semester.
Practicum days: Many on-campus MSW students complete practicum on Mondays and Tuesdays, however, students may work with their practicum agency to determine if an alternate schedule can be accommodated. Students must complete 16 hours per week.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 6441 (fall only) & SOWK 6442 (spring only) are taken during the first year; SOWK 7443 (fall only) & SOWK 7444 (spring only) are taken during the second year.
Potential practicum tasks: In the first year of practicum placement, MSW students will participate in a variety of tasks, which may include but are not limited to, conducting routine intakes, advocating for clients, assisting on grant proposals, leading special projects, providing supportive counseling, program evaluation, assisting with policy development and analysis, providing psychoeducation to clients and employees, and case management. In the second year of practicum placement, MSW students may also be able to conduct intakes and comprehensive clinical assessments as well as facilitate individual and group therapy, in addition to the tasks listed for the first year. Exact tasks will vary based on the practicum placement.
Timing of practicum placement: 3-Year Distance Education MSW students begin planning for practicum placement in the fall semester of their first year in the program. Students in this program of study participate in practicum placement in the Fall and Spring semesters during their second and third years.
Practicum hours: 3-Year Distance Education MSW students are required to complete 225-240 practicum hours per semester
Practicum days: Many MSW students complete practicum on Mondays and Tuesdays, however, students may work with their practicum agency to determine if an alternate schedule can be accommodated. Students must complete 16 hours per week.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 6441 (fall only) & SOWK 6442 (spring only) are taken during the second year; SOWK 7443 (fall only) & SOWK 7444 (spring only) are taken during the third year. All classes are fully online, but most practicum placements are in-person.
Potential practicum tasks: In the first year of practicum placement, MSW students will participate in a variety of tasks, which may include but are not limited to, conducting routine intakes, advocating for clients, assisting on grant proposals, leading special projects, providing supportive counseling, program evaluation, assisting with policy development and analysis, providing psychoeducation to clients and employees, and case management. In the second year of practicum placement, MSW students may also be able to conduct intakes and comprehensive clinical assessments as well as facilitate individual and group therapy, in addition to the tasks listed for the first year. Exact tasks will vary based on the practicum placement.
Additional Practicum Resources
Practicum Placements in Other States (State Authorization)
The online social work programs are generally targeted toward those who live in the North Carolina region, but UNC Charlotte is authorized to offer online programs and courses in all US states and territories (Field Education availability may be impacted based on individual state, contact the School of Social Work Practicum Office for more information). UNC Charlotte is not currently authorized to offer any of its online programs outside of the United States, according to the School of Professional Studies.
Practicum placement availability may be impacted based on the individual state. If you are a prospective student who plans to live outside of North Carolina while enrolled in the BSW/MSW program, please contact the School of Social Work admissions team at sswadmissions@charlotte.edu for more information.
If a student listed in their application that they live in North Carolina and they are admitted, then it is with the understanding they plan to live in the North Carolina region throughout the duration of the program. If a student plans to move out of North Carolina during the program, they should consult with the BSW/MSW Program Director, Director of Practicum Education, and Office of Distance Education to further discuss the program as this may impact the ability to complete the program.
Please review the State Authorization Information from the UNC Charlotte School of Professional Studies for more information.
Background Checks and Other Compliance Requirements
Some placement agencies require specific compliance requirements that must be met before the student can begin their practicum placement. These requirements may include background checks, drug screening, immunizations, CPR certification, fingerprinting, TB testing, bloodborne pathogens training, and more. If a student is unable to meet the compliance requirements at a particular placement site, they may not be eligible to complete practicum placement with that placement site.
Students should not complete any compliance requirements until directed to do so by the Practicum Office. It is the responsibility of the student to cover the cost of all compliance items required by the Agency Affiliation Agreement. Time spent completing compliance requirements does not count towards practicum orientation or hours.
Practicum Placement Preferences and Matching Process
BSW students and generalist MSW students (first-year of practicum for MSW students) have the opportunity to express their interests in areas of social work and populations they are interested in working with, but do not get to choose a specific placement site. Placements within specific areas of social work and/or with specific populations are not guaranteed.
For the final MSW practicum placement (specialist-year placement), students may identify specific sites they are interested in, however, placements at specific agencies are not guaranteed.
Some students may desire a fully virtual placement and/or a placement with evening and/or weekend hours. There are a limited number of placements available that offer this type of schedule. While students will have the opportunity to share their preferences for this type of placement, virtual placements and placements with evening/weekend hours are not guaranteed.
The practicum placement matching process involves many factors, including student interests, program requirements, and placement site needs. The goal is to provide each student with a high-quality placement that can support their development of social work values, skills, and knowledge at the level of generalist and specialized practice.