An Employment-Based Practicum Education option is available for those students who would like to have their practicum at the agency where they work. The curriculum and learning objectives of the Employment-Based Education program are identical to those for “regular” placements.
A student who wants to pursue this option must submit a Proposal for an Employment-Based Practicum to the Office of Practicum Education after completing the main practicum application. All proposals are reviewed by Practicum Education staff; often a staff member will meet with the student and proposed agency instructors to ensure that all criteria are met.
Overview-of-Practicum-Requirements and BSW or MSW Manual can be used to have a discussion with your potential Practicum Instructor and/or Task Instructor about the roles and responsibilities involved.
Criteria for Employment-based proposals
Student will be pursuing one of the employment-based internship options below: (Students will select one option to pursue)
OPTION 1: Student will use employment position as their plan for internship – full internship hours
-
-
If student and agency select this option, no additional hours or tasks are required unless the job description does not meet the standards/competencies required by the practicum course
-
OPTION 2: Student will use employment position AND another program/unit in a hybrid plan to earn full internship hours
-
-
If student and agency select this option, it is because the job does not fully meet the standards or requirements by the practicum course and thus additional hours must be earned in another program/unit to ensure completion of the required competencies for the course.
-
OPTION 3: Student will use a different program/ from employment unit to complete full internship hours.
-
-
If student and agency select this option, it is because either the students seek out another program/unit to enhance their skill development or the student’s job does not meet the standards or requirements for this practicum course.
-
Neither the student nor the agency should assume that the proposal will be approved automatically. Students should allow sufficient time to complete this proposal and application, as employment-based placements typically take longer to process and assess. Consult the MSW Practicum Education Manual 2024-2025 for additional information on curriculum objectives, policies and procedures regarding employment-based internships. The Office of Practicum Education must speak with your employment supervisor and potential practicum instructor for the purpose of confirmation and signing the employment-based proposal form grants permission for us to speak with those parties.
After completing the Practicum application, proceed to the following step once you have discussed your plans with the Office of Practicum Education:
To complete the Employment-based Proposal please down the form Employment-Based-Proposal and then upload it to the Employment-based Proposal form