Practicum Education Frequently Asked Questions: Students

We have community partnerships with more than 500 different agencies throughout the state, and beyond, which provide a wide range of learning opportunities. Settings include but are not limited to mental health centers, substance abuse and addictions programs, services to children, youth and families, schools, child welfare, policy development and advocacy in small non-profit and large governmental organizations, community organizing, housing and homelessness programs, criminal justice settings, health care, veterans and military, aging and disability services, organizational and program leadership, and other settings where social workers are or can be engaged.
 

The practicum team is responsible for identifying and vetting practicum sites, the qualifications of practicum instructors, and assigning students to placements. The School is responsible for determining the qualifications of practicum instructors and community organizations, as well as the appropriateness of educational experiences. 

We develop new practicum options on an ongoing basis and welcome suggestions from students about new possibilities. It is critical that this be a collaborative process. We ask that students not approach possible placement settings to secure their own practicum, but work with the practicum team to explore the possibility of a new practicum site. 

Students who live outside of our pre-existing geographic partnership areas are required to submit an Practicum Identification Form to support their practicum coordinator to develop a practicum opportunity in the student’s home community. The practicum coordinator is still responsible for vetting the agency, the specific practicum, and the supervision.

Students do not have the option to interview at multiple sites before accepting a practicum.  A coordinator will work with you to arrange an interview for a practicum that aligns with your learning needs. If, after that interview, both you and the practicum instructor think it is a good fit, the placement will be confirmed.  If either party has reservations that cannot be addressed adequately, another interview will be arranged.

We welcome the opportunity to develop partnerships with new agencies. If you have an idea for a new practicum, contact a member of the practicum team.  If an agency meets the School’s requirements and is interested in having a student, we can develop a new practicum.

If your employing agency can meet the requirements of the Employed Social Work (ESW) Option you can submit an application. Many students are supported each year to complete their practicum requirements through their place of employment. In some cases, a student can use their employment position as their practicum.

Yes. MSW students will not be placed in the same agency for both years of practicum. Exceptions will be considered on the basis of a sound educational plan for the student which includes different experiences and different supervision.

We attempt to place students as close to their preferred geographical area as possible; however, students in more rural areas may be placed in agencies up to a 50 mile radius of their residence.

BSW and first year MSW students are expected to commit to 12 hours/week in their practicum for a total of 400 hours. Final year/Advanced MSW students are expected to commit to 16 hours/week in their practicum for a total of 500 hours. Students' schedules are individually negotiated with their practicum instructors and must not conflict with their classroom schedule.

Students must be available for their practicum during business hours maintained by the agency/practicum setting and during times when the professional staff are working and available to the student. Students are expected to engage in their practicum for 12 hours per week (Generalist) or 16 hours per week (Advanced). Students must be prepared to attend their internship in person. We are not able to commit to, nor do we guarantee, being able to identify a fully virtual practicum for any student.

Students cannot expect to complete all of their practicum hours during evening or weekend hours. Practicum sites offering educational opportunities solely during the evening or weekend hours are rare and sometimes nonexistent. Therefore, the School of Social Work is under no obligation to accommodate such requests. If you work, you must have a flexible employment schedule in order to accommodate your practicum schedule.
If you are currently employed in a social service position, you may meet the qualifications for an Employed Social Work (ESW) Option.

Students cannot expect to complete all of their practicum hours during evening or weekend hours. Practicum sites offering educational opportunities solely during the evening or weekend hours are rare and sometimes nonexistent. Therefore, the School of Social Work is under no obligation to accommodate such requests. If you work, you must have a flexible employment schedule in order to accommodate your practicum schedule.

Yes, if they are relevant to your learning goals and approved by your practicum instructor (and/or your faculty liaison when appropriate), these hours can be added to your Educational Plan and Timesheet.

Practicum begins the first week of the fall term and ends the final week of spring term. In some cases students and agencies ask to begin early; in order to begin prior to September 1, a student must request approval by submitting a Request for Exception to Practicum Policy form (available on your Student Web Center). Students may complete up to 40 hours between September 1 and the first day of fall term without submitting an exception request. Please note that early start hours must be orientation or training activities (not direct client or project responsibility).

Yes, though if you plan to do these hours prior to September 1, please submit a Request for Exception to Practicum Policy form (available on your Student Web Center). 

Background checks are now required by most agencies that serve as practicum sites for social work students. A student who wishes to be placed in an agency that requires a background check or other screenings or trainings will need to complete those as a condition of being placed. Some agencies prefer that students use the agency’s vendor and procedures while other agencies expect students to use the School’s procedure.

Additionally, students living in Oregon and interning in settings including, but not limited to, ambulatory care settings, clinics, hospitals, hospice, residential care facilities, long term or skilled nursing facilities are required by law (OAR 409-030-0100 to 409-030-0250) to comply with, and provide documentation of to the School, specific immunizations, screenings and trainings. This includes passing a 10-panel drug screen which screens for marijuana/cannabinoids; CBD products may contain cannabinoids which can impact a drug screen. Federal regulations do NOT recognize legalized or medical marijuana in any state. Failure to pass a drug screen due to a positive screen for marijuana/cannabinoids will result in disqualification for certain internships.

Please note that certain types and calendar dates of criminal convictions may result in some agencies declining to offer a practicum. In some instances it may not be possible for the practicum team to find a placement willing to interview or accept a student. These policies and procedures are detailed in the Practicum Handbook. Please note: It is essential that you notify your practicum coordinator of any charge, or conviction, as it may impact the practicum team’s ability to connect you to a practicum opportunity. See more info on criminal records disclosure.

As a PSU student, you have access to legal support from Student Legal Services. We recommend that you contact them with questions about things like charges vs. convictions, expungement, and other issues.

Students who are approved for the Employed Social Work (ESW) Option) may be paid by their employer for their practicum hours (negotiated between student and employer).

There are also a small but increasing number of placements that offer a stipend to interns. The School of Social Work supports students to receive a stipend as long as the agency commits to the structure of an educationally focused internship using the School’s evaluation tools. Please refer to the FAQ for Agencies: Paid Practicum.

Students earn 4 credits/term (includes BSW and MSW seminar).

SW 400, SW 511, and SW 512 (Practicum) are graded pass/no pass.

Portland State University provides general liability and Professional Malpractice Insurance ($1 million per occurrence; $3 million aggregate) for students in practicum.

Students will always have the opportunity to make up missed days and complete all activities related to their practicum. When a student misses a day they must schedule makeup hours to ensure they have met this requirement.

All students are eligible to apply for registration (BSW) or licensure (MSW) AFTER graduating with their BSW or MSW degree. Once you graduate you are eligible to apply to become an RBSW, LMSW, or an LCSW by demonstrating completion of the following Oregon Board of Licensed Social Work requirements. The School of Social Work is not involved in licensing. For more information, contact the Board directly.