Practicum Education

An internship is a common term used in all disciplines within higher education. However, a practicum typically denotes a more intensive experience usually seen in the helping professions, especially professional programs that allow students to obtain a licensure in their particular field of study. Therefore, in social work education, we use the term practicum to define the hands-on experience our BSSW and MSSW students receive while in the program. Practicums require students to gain direct experience working with clients and most students are viewed as part-time professional staff once trained appropriately. There should be very limited time spent in a practicum answering phones, filing staff paperwork, or conducting paraprofessional responsibilities. Practicums are required in all Schools of Social Work based on the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation criteria. Due to the intensive and structured nature of a social work practicum, students are prepared to obtain their license immediately upon graduating. For more information about licensing standards, visit: https://bhec.texas.gov/

The term practicum and placement are sometimes used interchangeably in many Schools of Social Work. The ‘placement’ is typically the actual agency in which a student is placed. The ‘practicum’ is typically the educational experience the student is engaged in while enrolled in practicum courses.

Once a student is placed at an agency, it is their social work supervisor’s job to delegate roles and responsibilities. Most students, depending on the agency, will eventually be provided a small caseload and directly work with clients. More detailed roles and responsibilities within a particular agency are provided during the practicum education application and placement process.

The SSW has agency affiliations with dozens of agencies mainly throughout Texas, but faculty work with students living out of state as well. These agencies serve a wide arrangement of populations and communities with great needs. Such populations or communities served include but are not limited to:

• individuals impacted by foster care and adoptions
• clients experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse
• newly resettled refugees
• individuals with disabilities
• survivors of crime and abuse
• survivors of human or sex trafficking
• children and families
• veterans and/or active military
• those seeking medical care
• hospice patients
• clients experiencing grief and loss
• the elderly
• students struggling at all academic levels
• individuals seeking help in emergency/crisis intervention

The ACU SSW Practicum Education Program makes an effort to ensure that students are working in some aspect with their desired population.

Both the BSSW and MSSW practicum students will be enrolled in the practicum courses that require: 1) completing a certain number of hours at a designated placement, and 2) active engagement in the course. Depending on the modality, the courses may meet once a week (residential) to periodically throughout the experience (online).

These courses include assignments and discussions focusing on experiences in a social service agency. Students will apply knowledge and theory and develop practice skills for a beginning or advanced-level social work practitioner.

In order to fulfill the required 200 or 250 hours by the end of each 15-week semester, practicum students should make arrangements to work between 15-18 hours a week at their field placement agency.

The majority of agencies that typically pay practicum students are located in Abilene or the surrounding areas of West Central Texas. The Practicum Program can place students anywhere within the United States and some international locations.

For students enrolled in the online option, placement approval is contingent on many factors including but not limited to: 

1. the student’s degree plan and class or work schedule fitting well with a long-distance placement 
2. the student’s skills and abilities in navigating a remote experiential learning opportunity
3. successful negotiation of a legal/business agreement between the ACU SSW and the potential placement agency 
4. evaluation of the agency to ensure the placement remains educationally-focused and meets ACU School of Social Work Practicum Education Program expectations.

To explore this option, contact the Director of Practicum Education.

The placement process begins after a student has been accepted into the program, and in the case of online students, the student successfully completes the first required course. Once the ACU SSW Practicum Program receives a finalized list, students are contacted via email to begin the mandatory pre-placement process. During the placement process, students must complete a practicum orientation and application process in which they provide their top areas of interest and most preferred agencies. For more information about the timeline for this process, contact the Director of Practicum Education as it varies year to year.

This option is highly discouraged because the placement must meet certain Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation guidelines since a social work practicum is very different than other disciplines. Additionally, the ACU SSW Practicum Program must complete a legal/business agreement with a potential agency and the process can take many months and much negotiation. During the placement process, students are provided a list of agencies already approved by the ACU SSW Practicum Education Program. In many cases, a student’s interests are met by the current list of agencies. Once a student has started the ACU SSW Practicum Education Program placement process, they will receive updated lists of potential placement agencies.

No. Out of respect for the agency staff, it is important to abide by the placement process provided by the Director of Practicum Education. Students are encouraged to conduct Internet research to learn more about approved agencies during the placement process, but students should not contact agencies directly until instructed by the Director of Practicum Education. In many cases, agencies may not accept a student who chooses to work outside of the placement process.

Practicum students typically complete 15-18 hours a week at their placement while also attending classes. Therefore, a full-time job is not recommended. A student who is able to budget time and energy well might be able to work part-time if necessary. However, most part-time jobs need to occur in the evenings or weekends when possible.

If a student is currently working at a human or social service agency, they may request to be considered for this option during the practicum application process. However, there may need to be significant changes to current job responsibilities in order to meet program requirements. Therefore, the agency would also need to be willing to accommodate any changes required for educational benefits. Submitting the request does not guarantee approval as the request must meet CSWE accreditation guidelines. The process to request this option is outlined in the Practicum Handbook. Once a student begins the pre-placement process, this option may be explored further by contacting the Director of Practicum Education.

Note: A student who gains employment at a qualifying agency within three months prior to beginning practicum may be able to use the new employment as a placement if it meets the appropriate conditions as outlined in the Practicum Handbook.

It is most common for MSSW students to receive financial assistance from a placement primarily because most professional paid positions require at least a bachelor’s degree.

However, in the MSSW program, several placements can provide a stipend (direct payment to student) or a scholarship (direct payment to tuition bill) based on agency preferences. These placements are highly competitive and change from year to year. You may learn more about these opportunities once you begin the pre-placement process and complete all required orientations.

Many ACU BSSW and MSSW students are offered temporary or permanent positions during their practicum experience. If this occurs, the Director of Practicum Education should be notified and the situation will be discussed with the agency and the student to ensure all educational requirements are still met. On several occasions, students may also be offered a paid staff position immediately upon graduation and/or completion of the practicum experience.