Frequently Asked Questions

Practicum Education is an essential element of the curriculum in which students apply and deepen their knowledge, skills, and values through practice.

The Practicum Education main page can share more on information on Practicum Education and Purpose.

Yes. The practicum education component of this degree program requires a time commitment that students want to consider prior to applying for the program.

The Faculty Liaison holds an MSW from an accredited program of social work. They are the faculty members who serve as an educational consultant to the Practicum Instructor at the agency where the student is assigned to complete their Practicum. The Faculty Liaison approves the Learning Plan Agreement/Comprehensive Skills Evaluation for the student, holds semester conferences with both the student and Practicum Instructor, via webcam or in person, facilitates the Integrative Practicum Seminar, works to resolve any issues that arise in practicum, evaluates the student’s learning, and assigns a grade of credit/no credit.

The Practicum Instructor is the student's supervisor at the placement site and assumes responsibility for the student’s learning and practice experience. The Practicum Instructor provides ongoing feedback, supervises, teaches, and assesses student acquisition of knowledge, skills, and values. In collaboration with the student, the instructor is responsible for developing a student Learning Plan Agreement based upon the criteria established by the BASW and MSW Program. Practicum Instructors are selected based on the quality of their practicum instruction and commitment to educational standards of the BASW and MSW Program.

The Practicum Instructors must have an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. In addition, CSUSB requires they have at least two years of post-MSW experience, six (6) months experience in the practicum setting, and have completed the Practicum Instructor Certification training.

To ensure the highest quality of practicum for our students, it is expected that the Practicum Instructors will:

1. Complete the required Practicum Instructor certification training that includes an orientation to the School's curriculum, policies, and procedures.
2. Develop a clear Learning Plan Agreement with the student concerning performance expectations. These expectations must be stated in terms of behavioral learning goals, methods of achievement, and standard of measurement through using the Learning Plan Agreement/Comprehensive Skills Evaluation.
3. Provide at least one hour a week for individual supervision.
   • Group supervision alone cannot be substituted for individual supervision.
   • The Practicum Instructor of record holds administrative and clinical oversight of the student’s work at the practicum. If the student is providing therapy, the student is working under the license of the social worker (practicum instructor) of record.
4. Provide feedback to the student concerning their performance in writing on an ongoing basis, including completing the end of semester student evaluation each semester. 
5. Make available or develop specific practice opportunities that will enable the student to fulfill the expectations of the Learning Plan Agreement (LPA).
6. Inform the student and Practicum Liaison about any unusual opportunities, conditions, or problems at the earliest possible convenience; evaluate student progress on an ongoing basis; and involve the student in the preparation of these evaluations.

In addition to students being placed at a practicum site, students are required to attend monthly seminar, which is held online. Seminar is designed to walk students through their practicum experience, assist students in making the connection between practice and classroom learning, provide a safe place to discuss practicum experience, and to encourage peer discussions so each student can learn from one another.

Seminar is one time per month from 8:00-10:30am on a designated Friday (campus-based students) or 5:00-7:30pm for Pathway on a designated weeknight (Pathway students).

BASW Program: 480 hours

MSW Program: 1080 hours

MSW Advanced Standing Program: 600 hours

In addition to practicum hours, students attend a seminar.

Practicum site hours are typically between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Prior to being accepted to the BASW or MSW program, all students sign a Statement of Understanding regarding the practicum hour requirement to successfully complete the program. The School stresses the importance of being available during typical work hours (8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.).  Due to agency hours of operation and the practicum instructor’s availability, practicum sites outside of 8:00-5:00 are rare and cannot be guaranteed.  Students need to be available to participate in the daily operations of the agency, i.e., staff meetings, case conferences, and in-service training, etc.

BASW Program

• BASW Seniors Practicum: 16 hours per week =240 hours per semester and 480 hours per academic year

MSW 1-Year Program

• Advanced Generalist Year Practicum: 20 hours per week =300 hours per semester and 600 hours per academic year (BASW degree required to be eligible for this option)

MSW 2-Year Program

• Generalist Year Practicum: 16 hours per week =240 hours per semester and 480 hours per academic year
• Advanced Generalist Year Practicum: 20 hours per week =300 hours per semester and 600 hours per academic year

MSW 3-Year campus-based and Pathway Distance Education Programs

• Year 1: No Practicum
• Year 2: Foundation Practicum - 16 hours per week = 240 hours per semester and 480 hours per academic year
• Year 3: Advanced Practicum - 20 hours per week = 300 hours per semester and 600 hours per academic year

Students are expected to be in their practicum a minimum of 240 hours per semester (16 hours per week), or 480 hours for the Generalist (BASW and Foundation MSW) placement year, and a minimum of 300 hours per semester (20 hours per week), or 600 hours for the Specialized Advanced Generalist placement year. At the completion of the MSW degree program, students will have accumulated a minimum of 1,080 hours of practicum experience. Advanced Standing students, who are in a one-year program, are required to complete 600 hours of practicum. Advanced Standing students have a BASW.

If at any point during the academic year a student becomes concerned about practicum hours, the student should reach out to their assigned Practicum Liaison immediately to discuss the concern and work toward a solution.

There is a mandatory Practicum Orientation held the third week of August. Once Practicum Orientation is complete, the student is allowed to report to their practicum site.

Some practicum sites require an agency specific orientation prior to the beginning of the academic year. Students will be notified if this impacts their start date.

Due to limited availability of alternative practicums, based on agency and practicum instructor schedules, the Practicum Education Team have a minimum number of placements with alternative schedules.  Inability to meet the traditional 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. practicum education course schedule may result in an academic Leave of Absence or inability to continue in the program.

Prior to being accepted to the BASW or MSW program, ALL students sign a Statement of Understanding regarding the practicum hour requirement to successfully complete the program. The School stresses the importance of being available during typical work hours (8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.).  Students must be available to participate in the daily operations of the agency, i.e., staff meetings, case conferences, and in-service training, etc.

The plan to make up time should be developed with the Practicum Instructor and approved by the Faculty Liaison. Please refer to the Practicum Manual.

Students are not required to find their practicum site. Students are assigned by the Practicum team after a pre-placement meeting between the student and one of the Practicum Coordinators.

Students do not choose their practicum site.

Refer to Policy and Procedure for the Use of Employment Settings under Practicum Documents

First, you should speak to your Practicum Instructor at the agency. If the problem cannot be resolved, you should then contact your Faculty Liaison (university representative). They will advise you and/or contact your Practicum Instructor to discuss the problem. 

The Director of Practicum Education, Practicum Coordinator or designee, in consultation with the Practicum Education Faculty, assign practicum to students based on the pool of agencies that have requested an intern and consider the student's specific learning needs, past experiences, and career plans. Students should not contact an agency directly without approval from the Practicum Education Faculty.

There are a few agencies that offer a stipend, but it varies year to year. However, because of the limited number of stipends available, students should plan to finance their education through other sources.  The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships provides resource support to students. 

The School of Social Work offers a stipend through the Title IV-E Public Child Welfare Stipend Program.

If there are compelling reasons for you to request another referral (e.g. you have a conflict of interest with the agency; the practicum is very similar to professional experience you already have; you have insurmountable transportation problems; etc.), then you should speak with the Practicum Coordinator who placed you. If you have already been placed, you should speak with your Faculty Liaison.  However, keep an open mind about the practicum. Consider this as your opportunity to stretch and explore areas of social work.

Call the agency contact person to follow-up. If you have called two times and have not heard back, please contact the Practicum Director, Practicum Coordinator, or designee who referred you to the agency.

If you have already contacted the Director of Practicum Education, Practicum Coordinator or designee who referred you, you can assume they are working on a referral. If you do not hear from them within 5 days, please make a follow-up phone call or send an email. If you have not notified them, please do so immediately.

Most practicum sites are not paid. Although there are some agencies that may provide a stipend or hourly pay, these practicum sites are usually during the final year of the MSW Program. More information regarding such availability can be discussed during the student’s pre-placement meeting.

Most agencies require students to have a car to perform practicum assignments that involve outreach, home visits, community work, and attendance at agency meetings and functions. Not having a car will limit your practicum options. Please indicate if you do not drive on your practicum application.

The University does not conduct criminal background checks on students. However, criminal background checks are commonly required as part of the onboarding process for students placed in many practicum settings. Federal and state laws mandate criminal background checks for persons placed in many settings. Any criminal record (infraction, charge, misdemeanor, or felony) may make a student ineligible for placement in certain agencies. Students are advised that a lack of disclosure about a criminal background during the agency interview process may result in a denial of placement at some agencies. It is strongly recommended that students with any degree of criminal background openly discuss their specific situation with their designated Practicum Coordinator during their pre-placement meeting so they can get a better understanding of the potential challenges of placement, on a case-by-case basis.

Students may be ineligible for placement, or terminated from an agency, if criminal background information comes to light without prior disclosure to them. The Practicum Director or the designated Practicum Coordinator can provide insight to students regarding potential opportunities and barriers to securing a practicum site but cannot guarantee placement or choice of placement. Information disclosed will be used only for the purpose of determining appropriate practicum options. Please note: If a student cannot be placed, they will be unable to continue in the BASW or MSW program.

If a student is arrested or charged with a new offense or is convicted before commencing and/or while a student in the program, the student is required to disclose this information to the Director of the School of Social Work, Director of Practicum Education, designated Practicum Coordinator, and Academic Advisor within 48 hours of arrest, charge, or conviction. Students may be terminated from the program if an arrest or charge comes to light without immediate disclosure.

Failure to provide the required disclosures or notices will be deemed as deception and will be handled as a form of academic dishonesty in addition to any other violations. Arrests, violations and/or convictions which violate University and/or School policies or standards could result in sanctions. Please see the NASW Code of Ethics, “4.04 Dishonesty, Fraud and Deception."

Students who are arrested, charged, or convicted before commencing and/or while enrolled as a student in the program are not permitted to return to practicum until further notice. The student will be referred to the Student Review Committee for an initial review of the situation.