No. Private practice placements are not recommended. They tend to be narrowly focused and do not expose students to various practice levels. Instead, students looking for hands-on clinical experience should concentrate on reaching out to agencies and programs that offer integrated behavioral health services, including mental health organizations, clinics, hospitals, domestic and sexual violence programs that offer crisis intervention and support services, as well as schools, among others.

Most practicum agencies do not provide placements with evening and weekend hours, and such placements are quite rare, if not non-existent. This limitation is because client services and engagement are typically restricted during evening and weekend hours, making a comprehensive learning experience challenging. Therefore, students should plan to complete their practicum hours during regular business hours when agency staff can provide support.

Employment-based practicums (EBP) are a viable option as long as your current place of employment accommodates you, juggling both employee and student roles, and the agency aligns with UMSSW practicum requirements. These requirements include offering weekly supervision, participating in site visits, and delivering high-quality learning experiences. A practicum at your workplace should guarantee that your role and responsibilities provide new and distinct learning opportunities while addressing the core competencies set by CSWE.

The Field Education Program (FEP) generally advises students to evaluate whether a second-year specialization placement at the same agency, whether employment-based or not, can provide advanced learning opportunities and contribute to their professional development. The second year of the practicum should offer diverse learning and practice experiences while ensuring students acquire the specialization competencies specified by UMSSW.

For students who have the opportunity to continue with the same agency, they should ensure that the second year with the organization fulfills two key criteria: a) it provides new and varied learning experiences, and b) it addresses the 10 specialization year competencies outlined in the specialization year learning agreement.

If these criteria are met, staying at the same agency can be viable. Students interested in continuing at the same agency must submit a "Continuation of Practicum" application via Sonia in the spring before their second-year placement. The FEP will thoroughly review the request and communicate their decision to the student.

Students should arrange their practicum hours to coincide with regular business hours when agency staff are accessible to provide support. Being present during these hours enables students to fully engage in the agency's day-to-day activities, which may include attending staff or clinical meetings, assisting walk-in clients, shadowing other social workers, and participating in various other opportunities.

For students who work full-time in addition to completing their 15-hour practicum each week, it is highly recommended to discuss their need for flexibility with their employers proactively. This is important as field placement hours are typically scheduled during regular business hours, from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Many students opt for part-time employment that offers evening and weekend hours to manage their schedules effectively. This arrangement allows them to prioritize their practicum, manage their academic workload, and ensure a consistent income.

While most practicums are unpaid, an increasing number of agencies offer paid practicums, whether through hourly wages or educational stipends. Additionally, more students can complete their practicum with their current employer. However, it's crucial to consider the pros and cons of paid and employment-based placements, as outlined in THIS ARTICLE (hyperlink as needed).

It's important to note that practicums are designed for students to learn, make mistakes, and wear various professional hats. In some instances, paid and employment-based placements can limit the freedom of the learning experience and affect how students establish boundaries. It can be easier to decline additional work responsibilities, such as extra shifts, when students are primarily in a learner role. On the other hand, setting boundaries may become more challenging if they are seen as paid staff members first and students second.

Furthermore, students should remember that any changes in their employment, such as a grant-funded position ending or a layoff, can simultaneously impact their practicum experience.

The necessity of a criminal background check and/or drug test depends on the specific policies of your placement agency. It's crucial to be aware that certain criminal convictions may disqualify a practicum student from being accepted by an agency. Proactively communicating this information with the Field Education Program (FEP) and potential agencies is essential to explore placement alternatives and determine additional support requirements.

As a UM student, you can also access legal support through ASUM legal services. You are encouraged to use this support service for legal questions or concerns.

During the generalist year, students complete a single placement that spans the entire 450 hours of their practicum experience. In the specialization year, they commit to a single placement extending 450 hours. It's important to understand that the practicum requires an average of approximately 15 hours per week.

Like any new role, it takes time to acclimate to a placement, become familiar with agency services and dynamics, and navigate the learning curve associated with the practicum. Considering this, the 450 hours allocated to a single placement are designed to facilitate the transition from observation to more autonomous and independent work.

In summary, there's no guarantee that your chosen agency will fulfill all your expectations, but your engagement and effort significantly shape your practicum experience. You have a significant role in steering your learning journey.

One of the initial steps to assess if an agency is a good fit is through research. This involves reviewing the agency's website, seeking insights from other social service professionals regarding the agency and its practicum opportunities, and reaching out to former practicum students who can provide valuable insights based on their experiences.

Furthermore, the interview at the agency serves as a critical step in determining whether the site and the learning experiences align with your learning objectives and aspirations. During this interview, make sure to inquire about the day-to-day routine of a practicum student, the initial onboarding and training process at the placement, and the ongoing supervision and opportunities for professional development. This thorough exploration helps you decide on the agency's suitability for your practicum.

The practicum is graded on a credit/no credit basis. The student's Agency Field Instructor (AFI) determines the final grade collaboratively. It is based on a competency scale rating system, ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 signifies no competency, and 5 represents the demonstration of competency.

This assessment process includes ongoing feedback during regular supervision sessions and a mid-year qualitative evaluation completed by the student and the supervisor. Combining these elements helps determine the student's overall performance and whether they meet the required competencies.

Students are advised to proactively reach out to a minimum of 3-5 organizations that align with their interests. It's recommended to interview with at least 2-3 of these organizations. This approach provides students with multiple options since securing a practicum placement is not guaranteed, and competition is increasing.

Furthermore, students are encouraged to view the outreach and interview process as an opportunity for professional development and practice. This experience should be considered a valuable dry run for future social work careers and post-graduation applications.

Students earn 4 credits for their generalist year practicum, distributed as 2 credits in the fall and 2 in the spring. For the specialization year practicum, students receive 6 credits, with 3 credits allocated for the fall and 3 for the spring.

Students fulfill 900 hours over two academic years, from fall to spring. During this period, they spend 450 hours in one placement for their generalist year and another 450 hours in a separate placement for their specialization year. The practicum commitment averages about 15 hours per week, commencing at the end of August and extending through the beginning of May.

In light of the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, your question is timely. While remote and virtual practicum placements remain relatively uncommon, they are gradually gaining traction. For such placements to be viable, the agency or program must fulfill all practicum requirements, and the student must effectively engage in and develop the required social work competencies. In this context, consistent and supportive supervision ensures the student's success and growth in a remote placement.

It's important to consider potential drawbacks, including:

• Limited engagement with the agency's physical setting may reduce understanding of workplace culture and dynamics
• Missing out on the casual interactions and office dynamics typically experienced on-site
• Balancing a fully remote school experience with an additional 15 hours per week of remote practicum work may be demanding
• Client interactions may differ in a remote setting, particularly if you aim to build a strong clinical foundation. Therefore, starting with remote or telework may not be the best approach, particularly for clinical experience.

Your Agency Field Instructor (AFI) should hold an MSW degree with at least 2 years of post-degree experience. If your AFI doesn't meet this requirement, they can still serve as your AFI, but you'll need to arrange for additional MSW supervision. This can be accomplished by designating another staff member at the agency who meets the MSW supervisor criteria. In cases where there is no eligible MSW supervisor within the practicum organization, the UMSSW will collaborate with you to provide external MSW supervision.

As social workers, we play diverse roles, operate at various practice levels, and employ various skills. Consequently, we must demonstrate competence in various skills and practice behaviors. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), our accrediting body, established these competencies and practice behaviors. They provide a vital framework for your learning experiences in the classroom and during your practicum.

Each competency outlines the aspects of knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that make up the competency at the generalist level of practice. This is followed by a set of behaviors that integrate these components. These behaviors represent the observable elements of the competencies, while the previous descriptions explain the underlying content and processes that inform these behaviors.

Throughout your field education experience, you are required to demonstrate learning goals and activities that enable you to work towards these competencies. This is accomplished in a highly structured manner through developing a detailed learning agreement, part of the practicum course.

Agencies that have not previously hosted one of our social work students will undergo a brief agency application and review process led by the Field Education Program (FEP). This procedure ensures that the agency fully comprehends all practicum requirements and is suitable for our students.

You must complete an agency proposal form if you've identified a new agency as a potential placement site. This form should include all the pertinent agency and supervision details and a description of your practicum role and responsibilities. Once the FEP receives this form, they will contact the agency. During this interaction, the FEP will review the information submitted, address any questions or concerns the agency may have, and subsequently share our affiliation agreement.

Your generalist/first-year practicum is the foundation of your social work education and can be completed at various agencies. It aims to support the development and integrating of foundational social work skills, competencies, and practice behaviors.

In contrast, your specialization/second-year practicum is designed to build upon the foundational experience gained in your first year. It offers opportunities to engage in more advanced practice tasks and focuses on deepening specific knowledge and skills, such as developing and practicing clinical skills.

The 1-credit seminar course, which totals 2 credits across the fall and spring, runs concurrently with your field education experience. It offers a platform to discuss your practicum experiences and challenges, integrate theory into practice, and participate in a mutually supportive teaching-learning model with fellow peers in practicum settings. Specifically, students take 2 credits of the generalist year seminar and 2 credits of the specialization year seminar.

For both practicum years, students are responsible for identifying, contacting, and interviewing potential practicum agencies. We offer extensive support throughout this process, and it's essential to review the information provided in this field orientation, which includes email templates and talking points for agency outreach.

To initiate the process for a generalist year (first year) placement, all students must apply for the UMSSW Field Education Program (FEP) through their personal SONIA account. SONIA is the practicum software program we use for all practicum paperwork.

Once the FEP receives, reviews, and approves your practicum application, you will receive a follow-up email about the next steps. This includes details about the support services available as you contact agencies, explore placement options, and guidance on what to do once you have identified a potential placement.

Social work students can engage in various placements that offer various learning opportunities. These practicum placements can be found in settings that involve direct service with individuals, families, and groups, such as:

• Child welfare programs
• Behavioral health agencies
• Domestic/sexual violence programs
• Houselessness programs
• Substance abuse programs
• Correctional settings

Additionally, placements are available in community organizing and policy-focused contexts, including:

• City or county government and social service programs
• Legislative offices
• Voter mobilization programs
• Civic engagement agencies

These placements can vary in focus, with some being more clinically oriented and others emphasizing macro-level advocacy. As long as students can engage with the CSWE Competencies, they can expect a rich and valuable learning experience.

Practicum typically spans from the beginning of the first fall module (generally in late August) to the end of the second spring module (typically in early May). It's important to note that practicum hours must be completed within this specified timeframe, and students are not permitted to finish their required hours ahead of schedule.

Simply accumulating the required hours is not the sole determinant of fulfilling practicum requirements. Committing to an agency and its clients involves adjusting to the organization, comprehending your role, and developing the skills necessary for more autonomous practice. You need ample time to engage in various practice interventions and see them through to completion.

The practicum agency must be willing to designate a dedicated Agency Field Instructor (AFI) who will supervise the student's practicum activities throughout the academic year. In many cases, this occurs naturally when program managers, directors, or lead clinicians/therapists already hold supervisory roles within the program and can assume responsibility for student supervision.

During interviews with potential practicum agencies, it's advisable to inquire about the AFI's role and qualifications. To comply with accreditation requirements, the AFI for MSW practicum placements should possess an MSW degree with at least two years of post-degree experience. If the designated AFI does not meet these criteria, another qualified staff member at the agency can serve as the MSW supervisor. When there is no eligible MSW at the practicum organization, the UMSSW will collaborate with the student to arrange external MSW supervision.

UM students benefit from the School's professional liability insurance coverage, and students can access a copy of this insurance policy via their SONIA account. Additionally, students are mandated to maintain their health insurance.