Practicum Information for Students
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). Because many social work agencies work traditional business hours, placements offering evening and/or weekend hours are extremely limited and students should anticipate that they will complete most or all practicum hours during traditional business hours.
Students working in eligible social work related organizations may have the option to complete their practicum placement at their place of employment. Please review the Employment-Based Practicum Placements website for more information.
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 matched to a prospective agency for an interview. In order to ensure the placement is a good fit for both the student and the placement site, there are many factors that go into the matching process. These factors include, but are not limited to, student areas of interest, placement availability, placement site requirements, geographic location, etc.
For more information about practicum and the placement process, we recommend reviewing the Practicum Handbook and Practicum Education FAQs.
Practicum Placement logistics by program
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW):
BSW (On-Campus & Online)
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 225 hours each semester in practicum, for a total of 450 practicum hours. To meet the hours requirement, students must complete approximately 16 hours per week.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 3482 (fall only) & SOWK 3484 (spring only), taken during senior year.
Practicum format: Most placements are in-person during standard business hours, regardless of the student’s academic enrollment status.
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):
1-Year Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus & Online)
Timing of practicum placement: 1-Year Advanced Standing MSW students begin planning for practicum placement immediately after accepting their admission offer and participate in placement in the Fall and Spring semesters of the program.
Practicum hours: 1-Year Advanced Standing MSW students are required to complete at least 225 hours each semester in practicum, for a total of at least 450 practicum hours. To meet the hours requirement, students must complete approximately 16 hours per week.
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.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 7443 (fall only) & SOWK 7444 (spring only).
Practicum format: Most placements are in-person during standard business hours, regardless of the student’s academic enrollment status.
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.
2-Year Advanced Standing MSW (Online)
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: 2-Year Advanced Standing MSW students are required to complete at least 225 hours each semester in practicum, for a total of at least 450 practicum hours. To meet the hours requirement, students must complete approximately 16 hours per week.
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.
Required practicum classes: SOWK 7443 (fall only) & SOWK 7444 (spring only), taken during the second year.
Practicum format: Most placements are in-person during standard business hours, regardless of the student’s academic enrollment status.
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.
2-Year MSW (On-Campus & Online)
Timing of practicum placement: 2-Year 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 MSW students are required to complete 225 hours each semester in practicum, for a total of 450 practicum hours each year. To meet the hours requirement, students must complete approximately 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.
Practicum format: Most placements are in-person during standard business hours, regardless of the student’s academic enrollment status.
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.
3-Year MSW (Online)
Timing of practicum placement: 3-Year Online 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 MSW students are required to complete 225 hours each semester in practicum, for a total of 450 practicum hours each year. To meet the hours requirement, students must complete approximately 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.
Practicum format: Most placements are in-person during standard business hours, regardless of the student’s academic enrollment status.
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. 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.