Online: FAQ Practicum Education

1.  How is my practicum placement determined? Do I get to choose?

The final decisions on where students are placed for their internship experiences rest with the Directors of Practicum Education. However, students' interests, student and site location, student internship level and various other factors are taken into consideration.

2.  What if I want to complete my practicum placement at an agency that has not been used before?

Students can share with their Placement Specialist agencies in their area that they may be interested in interning. If the site meets our requirements, we will approach the site about potential partnership.

3.  How many hours are required for the practicum placement?

The MSW generalist practice internship requires two terms of completing 240 hours at the placement, for a total of 480 hours. The MSW advanced practice internship requires 275 hours at the placement, for a total of 550 hours. This breaks down to 18-20 hours per week for generalist students and 20 hours per week for advanced students across two 14-week terms.

4.  When can internship hours be completed?

Per the MSW Practicum Education Manual, internship hours cannot end more than one week prior to the end of the term. To complete internship hours early, the student must have the written approval of the social work supervisor, task supervisor (if applicable) and practicum liaison. If the student carries over excess hours from the first term to the second, the student is still held to the one week early stop rule.

5.  Will I be paid for the work I do at my practicum placement?

The practicum education office is committed to securing compensated internships when possible, though the majority of internships are not compensated. However, the practicum education office is committed first to the educational integrity of the internship and does not guarantee any student the possibility of a compensated internship. Some internship stipends will be provided through the agency directly to the student while others are provided through the agency to Baylor and then to the student. Students with special needs or interest in compensated internships should discuss these needs with their Placement Specialist. Like uncompensated internships, the students will interview with the organization itself, and the organization/subsidizing entity will have significant input  in making the final decision about the placement.

6.  Can I still work at my current job while I compete my practicum placement?

The Garland School of Social Work recommends no more than part-time work during your internship terms, due to the amount of time and energy that the practicum placement requires. However, we also understand the financial needs that can exist and recognize that there have been students who have been able to hold an outside job and successfully complete the practicum placement/internship. All students should consider the number of hours and the need for schedule flexibility when trying to balance work courses, and internship requirements. 

7.  What if I am employed by an agency that takes interns? Can I complete my placement there? Is it possible to have my internship in my place of employment?

The Garland School of Social Work policies regarding placement in the employment setting are based on the Council on Social Work Education standards and are in place in order to ensure an educationally directed internship experience. Any student who is employed in a social work setting/role and is interested in interning at their place of employment must follow the process outlined in the Practicum Education Manual for review of possible Place of Employment internships. The Practicum Education Office considers Place of Employment internships on a case-by-case basis. Approval is at the discretion of the Practicum Education Office. It is not guaranteed.  

A student’s regular job duties CAN be approved to count for internship hours IF the job duties can be clearly tied to each of the 10 GSSW competency areas.   Additional tasks are likely to be added to ensure development of competency in all 10 required areas. Students will only be permitted to count their work hours towards their internship hours total when engaging in tasks that build social work competency and are congruent with GSSW practicum policies, as approved by the practicum liaison in conjunction with the appropriate practicum director. Students may only count the required weekly internship tasks that meet the 10 competencies and may not count their full 40 hours of full time work per week. Students cannot end their internship prior to one week before the end of the term.

POE guidelines as outlined by the Council on Social Work Education guide the Practicum office’s decision. The agency must support the student’s obligations for academic coursework and assignments related to the integrative seminar. Additionally, the agency must meet all requirements of any agency site for Field placements including affiliation with the GSSW. Under no circumstances will a student do more than one Field placement at the place of employment.

For more details on requirements and the process to request such an exception, see the Practicum Education Manual or contact the practicum education office.

8.  Will I need to have my own car?

All students will be expected to secure reliable transportation to and from their practicum placements when completing hours for their internships. Some placements may prefer students to have a car to conduct particular duties of the internship, such as hospital visits or community outreach. If a student does not have a car available to them, this would be important to communicate during the internship application process so that transportation needs can be taken into consideration when assigning practicum placements. The Garland School of Social Work does not reimburse students for the use of their automobiles in conducting agency business, nor does it provide liability insurance coverage for agency-related travel.

9.  What is the different between a practicum placement and an internship?

The terms practicum placement and internship are used interchangeably. The practicum placement or internship is the heart of social work education. It is the mode of study that emphasizes the practical application of professional knowledge and values to the real-life problems and concerns of individuals, families, groups , communities and/or organizations under the supervision and instruction of competent social work practitioners and educators.

10.  When and now do I obtain a practicum placement?

Your assigned Placement Specialist (PS) will contact you for a "welcome call." There the PS will get to know you, your interests and your goals for the placement. The PS will begin outreach and let you know when it is time for you to interview.

11.  Will I have to transport clients during my internship?

It is the strong recommendation of the Garland School of Social Work that interns not transport clients in their own vehicles. Baylor University does not provide any coverage for transportation of clients. Interns who transport clients do so under their own automobile insurance and at their own risk.

12.  What is the difference between a Social Work Supervisor, Task Supervisor, and Practicum Liaison?

The Social Work Supervisor, Task Supervisor, and Practicum Liaison have distinct and complementary roles and responsibilities in practicum education. Each comes alongside the student, in their respective roles, to assist the student in realizing their education goals. Please see the Glossary/Terminology page for specific definitions.

13.  Will I have to purchase my own professional liability insurance?

The University provides limited professional liability insurance coverage for students involved in professional practicum internships in the United States. This insurance includes coverage for professional activities required as part of the educational experience only. The Garland School of Social Work has been assured by duly appointed University administrators that this coverage is adequate and will cover both in compensated and uncompensated placements. However, the faculty strongly recommends each student also purchase their own professional liability insurance through NASW or a comparable professional group or private insurance firm. Students should also ask the agency about availability of professional liability insurance or malpractice insurance coverage provided by the agency.

14.  What happens if I am unable to complete my internship?

Completing the hours and tasks for the practicum placement experience, in addition to meeting the required grade benchmark in the internship academic course, is required for successful completion of the internship. Two terms each are required for completion of the MSW Foundation internship and MSW Advanced Practice internship. These two terms are expected to happen consecutively. The internship courses are required components of the MSW degree.

15.  What is the process for approval of practicum faculty?

Social Work Supervisors and Task Supervisors must complete the required paperwork to be approved to serve. For more information, see the Become an Internship Supervisor page.

16.  What are the benefits for serving as practicum faculty?

Social Work Supervisors and Task Supervisors receive special benefits for serving. For more information, see the Current Internship Supervisors page.

17.  How can I receive information as Social Work Supervisor or Task Supervisor?

Once a person is approved as Social Work Supervisor or Task Supervisor, they are added to the Garland School of Social Work's mailing list and will receive electronic newsletters and emails from the practicum education office.