Practicum Information
BSW Program
Courses: BSW 470/471
All students admitted to the BSW program are required to complete a year-long practicum during the senior year. The BSW practicum provides students experiences in developing knowledge and skills in generalist social work practice. Practicum is comprised of two consecutive semester placements. Students in their BSW course work complete 15 weeks of practicum per semester - for two consecutive semesters, totaling 30 weeks of practicum: averaging 16 hours per week; 225 hours each semester; 450 hours grand total.
MSSW 60-Credit Hour Program
Courses: MSSW 670/672 OR MSSW 610/611 (for dual degree MSSW/MSCFT students)
All students admitted to the 60 credit-hour program are required to complete two separate and different practicums, one at the foundation level and another at the specialized level. All practicums are two consecutive semester placements, continuous in the same agency. Students in their 1st-Year/Generalist course work complete 15 weeks of practicum per semester - for two consecutive semesters, totaling 30 weeks of practicum: averaging 16 hours per week; 225 hours each semester; 450 hours grand total.
If the student is in a placement in the summer, there will be more hours per week due to the shortened summer semester. The required semester total is the same for each semester.
MSSW 30-Credit Hour Program
Courses: MSSW 672/673 or MSSW 612/613 (for dual degree MSSW/MSCFT students)
Students admitted as specialized-standing (entering Kent School with a BSW degree earned within the past seven years from an accredited program) into the 30-credit hour program are required to complete only one practicum. Students in their specialized course work complete 15 weeks of practicum per semester - for two consecutive semesters, totaling 30 weeks of practicum: averaging 18 hours per week; 250 hours each semester; 500 hours grand total.
If the student is in a placement in the summer, there will be more hours per week due to the shortened summer semester. The required semester total is the same for each semester.
What to Expect
BSW and 1st-Year MSSW/Generalist Practicum Students
Students are expected to work directly with client populations served by the agency and should include a diversity of clientele, including women, ethnic minorities, and other disadvantaged populations. Students should carry a “learner’s” caseload of individuals/couples/families, participate in the intake and assessment process, and carry client assignments which include as many phases of the problem-solving process as possible. Practicum activities should include opportunities to practice the social work roles of conferee, broker, mediator, and advocate.
The Generalist practicum experience should include a broad exposure to social work practice opportunities at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work. This should include direct work with clients (individuals, couples, families, and small groups), work with committees and/or community coalitions, the development/revision of policies, program evaluation and research, and exploration of administrative and policy issues significant to the agency and clientele served.
2nd-Year MSSW/Specialized Practicum Students
Specialized practicum students have the same requirements as BSW and 1st-Year/MSSW Generalist students except they should be challenged with more complex client situations and increased responsibilities in assignments. Macro and Policy Practice settings should develop learners' caseloads of a variety of policy work, projects and meetings within the agency and community.
Kent School of Social Work & Family Science Practicum Education Handbook