PRACTICUM EDUCATION - SOCIAL WORK'S SIGNATURE PEDAGOGY

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has identified Practicum Education as the signature pedagogy for social work, and we strictly adhere to all CSWE requirements throughout the three levels of Field Education: 1) BSW Year, 2) MSW Generalist Year; and 3) MSW Specialist Year. The Sandler School of Social Work is proud to offer real-life experiences for our social work students in agencies throughout South Florida, from Vero Beach to Miami.

In rare situations, students may be employed in a social work setting that meets the standards for practicum education and which can be accepted by the Office of Practicum Education as an Own Agency Placement for either a BSW or MSW student. View Own Agency Placement Policy .

Figure Description: Florida Atlantic University’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work reports its 2024–25 community impact: over 500 students complete clinical practicums each year with more than 400 agencies, contributing 173,000 service hours valued at $8.65 million.

Applying for Practicum Placement

To apply for your practicum placement, please complete your application using the InPlace Software link received via email. You will then receive a notice of confirmation that includes your login information and access to complete your practicum application. We will then review your application, and you will be notified via email of their decision and next steps for entering practicum in your designated semester.

• BSW Year: Students must complete all core coursework two full semesters prior to entering their practicum. Additionally, all coursework will be reviewed prior to practicum placement to determine readiness for graduation, as students are not allowed to take additional courses while in their placement. BSW students are required to complete 400 practicum hours in a single semester, known as a block placement. Students have the option of completing their practicum hours across two semesters; however, this option requires advanced approval from the agency and practicum faculty. Students are expected to demonstrate BSW Year core competencies and behaviors in generalist social work tasks throughout the duration of their practicum placement.
  
  NOTE: BSW practicum applications are due the 4th Friday of the semester prior to expected practicum entry.
  
  
• MSW Generalist (Foundation) Year: Students are required to complete 400 hours in a two-semester placement. Students remain in the same placement for both semesters and are required to complete 200 placement hours each semester. This is a concurrent program, as the students are in classes at the same time as the practicum placement. Students are expected to demonstrate MSW Generalist Year core competencies and behaviors in generalist social work tasks at this level.
  
  
• MSW Specialist (Clinical) Year: While completing their final year of the MSW degree, students are required to complete 600 hours in a two-semester placement. Students remain in the same placement for both semesters and are required to complete 300 hours each semester. This placement must be a clinical placement, and students must be able to demonstrate MSW Specialist Year core competencies and behaviors at this level.
  
  NOTE: MSW practicum applications are due on June 1 for each academic year. Students who miss this date will need to defer practicum placement until the following academic year.