Office of Experiential Programs

Discover Our World Through Experiential Programs

Experiential education is one of the most rewarding components of pursuing a degree in social work. This is a time for students to practice and develop social work skills under competent supervision while impacting communities, families, individuals and policy.

• Practicum Toolkit

  

• Practicum FAQs

  

Programs of Study

Experiential Programs and Practicum is a social work course included in a student’s Plan of Study. Our practicum placements provide students with the opportunity to integrate the knowledge, skills, and values learned in the classroom setting and practicum instructor’s teaching to the delivery of social services in a practice situation.

BSW and MSW students are required to apply for practicum placement and complete a background check before they are placed with an agency. Students are placed using a holistic perspective. We consider input from students and consult with faculty, advisors, and the Practicum Education Committee to match each student’s educational needs with a specific agency.

We’re committed to considering students’ personal circumstances when making placement decisions but we cannot guarantee a particular practicum placement in a geographic area. For this reason, we encourage students to start early considering your obligations, your “musts” in life, the things you can put to the side during this course, and those things you can negotiate. Practicum is often about negotiating, which is an excellent social work skill. Begin this practice as you consider applying to one of our many experiential learning opportunities.

• BSW

  

  Undergraduate students use the educational resources in the classroom and the field to develop a responsible, analytical approach to his or her own practice and to the practice of others.

• MSW

  

  Graduate students apply classroom teaching and learning in real-world settings to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the development of practice competence.

• Washington, D.C.

  

  A unique experiential opportunity in the nation’s capital that exposes BSW and MSW students to outstanding direct service programs and public policy and advocacy implementation.

• International

  

  A transformative learning experience that teaches students firsthand about different cultures and how social welfare services are interpreted and provided abroad.

Financial Assistance for Practicum Placements

The School of Social Work offers generous stipends and scholarships for students who participate in the Washington, D.C. Internship, international and our many other practicum experiences. Funding opportunities include the following:

• Veteran Affairs Training Stipend
• HRSA Transitional Youth Fellowship
• Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend
• Gilead Foundation Scholarship HIV/AIDS
• Pediatric Pulmonary Center Social Work Traineeship
• Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Traineeship
• Department of Youth Services Scholarship

Find a Placement Right for You

Our Office of Experiential Programs has developed a strong relationship with more than 300 agencies located in Alabama, Washington, D.C., out-of-state and internationally. We connect our students with agencies and organizations that provide services that include, but are not limited to the following:

Whatever your interest, our Office of Experiential Programs is ready to help you gain the experience you need to reach your educational goals.

Practicum Instructor and Agency Resources

The Practicum Education Program provides training and other resources to practicum instructors and agency partners because of the vital role each plays in educating our students. Our practicum education coordinators welcome inquiries from social service agencies about SSW’s Experiential Programs and social work professionals who wish to serve as a practicum instructor.