Practicum education is an integral part of each MSW student’s journey at our School. Through practicum assignments, our students put their classroom knowledge into practice through real-world experiences — exploring career paths, developing workplace skills and competencies, expanding their professional networks, and building confidence in working with clients and colleagues.
Annually, our students are placed in more than 250 different agencies and organizations throughout North Carolina. They contribute more than 130,000 hours to these agencies in total, an estimated value of $1.2 million in service to our state and its people.
Our students have completed placements in social services, schools, hospitals, community nonprofits, research organizations, substance abuse treatment programs, child welfare agencies, transitional housing programs, and a variety of other organizations. We use a time-tested matching system to ensure that each student receives a practicum experience assignment that is appropriate to the student’s needs and professional goals.
Primary Resources
Our practicum education team has developed many resources to provide information for students and practicum instructors. The three most important documents are used frequently:
- SSW Practicum Education Program Manual (large file — do not download to phone)
- Practicum Hours
Please review the current Practicum Education Program Manual carefully and completely. This document includes our School’s policies and procedures on everything from inclement weather to termination of placement, with many details that are critical to a positive practicum experiences. Students are responsible for knowing and applying its information in their practicum experiences.
In addition to these major documents, additional practicum education documents for students and for practicum instructors are posted on resource pages within this section of our website.
Our field education team frequently develops resources and materials that are in demand by field education professionals at other colleges and universities across the country. Some of these materials are available here.
Contacts
Andrea Murray-Lichtman, Director of Practicum Education, 919-966-5464
Contact information for practicum instructors and task supervisors is provided directly to each student participating in practicum education. Our practicum instructors and task supervisors provide vital mentorship for our students, as you’ll see in the video posted here.
