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Graduate College of Social Work

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Newly Admitted Students

Congratulations, and welcome to the Graduate College of Social Work! As a newly admitted graduate student, you may be wondering about your next steps.

PRACTICUM EDUCATION

Practicum or internship is a required part of a master’s in social work (MSW) degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE has policies and requirements that guide practicum. Practicum at the Graduate College of Social Work is an experiential way for students to engage and apply knowledge learned from coursework in a real setting.
The practicum team made a collective decision to shift language from using the word field to practicum. This language shift was inspired by activist Joyce McMillan. This language shift encompasses a larger effort by the practicum faculty team towards an anti-racist and affirming practicum experience for all stakeholders.
CSWE requires 900 clock hours of practicum for an MSW degree. This typically requires 16-18 hours per week during the day, Monday-Friday, in the Fall and Spring.
Full program students will complete two separate practicum placements. The student’s first placement (Generalist) placement requires 400 clock hours. The student’s second practicum placement (Concentration) requires 500 clock hours.

Generalist placements at GCSW require 400 clock hours at a single agency/community setting (typically in two consecutive semesters, Fall/Spring, of 200 hours per semester). This placement is required to be completed with generalist coursework, typically in the incoming Fall semester and first year of the MSW program. The focus of this placement is broad social work roles and activities that serve individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. This typically requires 16-18 hours per week during the day, Monday-Friday.

Concentration placements at GCSW require 500 clock hours at a single agency/community setting (typically two consecutive semesters for 250 hours per semester). This placement happens during the student’s last year of the MSW program. This placement aligns with the student’s chosen concentration and advanced coursework, either Macro or Clinical. Macro placements focus on activities serving groups, organizations, and communities. Clinical placements focus on activities serving individuals, families, and groups. This typically requires 16-18 hours per week during the day, Monday-Friday.

*Note: your academic course schedule is based on your enrollment type and can also impact your availability for practicum.

Advanced standing students only complete the final concentration placement that requires 500 total clock hours. (They do not complete a generalist placement, as the BSW placement waives generalist placement requirement).

Concentration placements at GCSW require 500 clock hours at a single agency/community setting (typically two consecutive semesters for 250 hours per semester). This placement happens during the student’s last year of the MSW program. This placement aligns with the student’s chosen concentration and advanced coursework, either Macro or Clinical. Macro placements focus on activities serving groups, organizations, and communities. Clinical placements focus on activities serving individuals, families, and groups. This typically requires 16-18 hours per week during the day, Monday-Friday.

*Note: your academic course schedule is based on your enrollment type and can also impact your availability for practicum

You will have weekly practicum instruction in addition to the required hours per week and learning activities. Practicum instruction is provided by a person who has a master’s degree in social work (license is not required but the degree cannot be in anything else) and two years, post-graduate, full-time, social work experience. These community partners are not employees or paid by the College. All learning activities and experiences for practicum are facilitated by the community partner/practicum setting. You’ll collaborate with them to determine your weekly schedule and activitie.
Yes, students may receive approval through an application process to complete practicum at a place of employment if the placement is eligible and meets specific criteria. The student must receive permission from someone in an administrative capacity at the agency and agreement for practicum instruction from someone who meets criteria.
The GCSW considers any practicum completed in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston and/or Harris County as INSIDE the Greater Houston area. The practicum team has structured processes for connecting students with affiliated agencies. More information about these processes will be provided through orientation.
The GCSW considers any practicum completed outside Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston and/or Harris County as a distance placement. Students completing practicum at a distance will find and secure a placement in their local area that meets the practicum requirements. The practicum team has resources to support students seeking distance placements. Full program, distance students can download the Practicum Guidelines sheet and start exploring now for a placement that meets criteria in their area.
  • Review your degree plan and identify when practicum is scheduled.
  • Plan a possible schedule: Determine what days/times your coursework is scheduled to understand your availability for practicum (16 hours a week). Many practicum settings require students to engage during business (Mon-Fri), daytime hours.
  • Review information sent via email from practeam@uh.edu during the summer to participate in connection processes and information specific to your enrollment model.
  • For more information, participate in a Practicum Information Session via zoom over the summer and/or review the practicum guidelines sheet.