MSW Practicum Education

Practicum Placement Sites

Are you interested in your agency becoming a practicum placement site for social work students? Learn more about practicum agency expectations.* Apply today!

* Note that this will download as a separate Word document.

Jobs

Are you looking for a job? Or looking to hire a Mason graduate? 

Master’s in Social Work (MSW) students are required to successfully complete 1,050 hours of supervised practicum in agencies approved by the Department of Social Work: 450 hours during the generalist year and 600 hours during the specialization year. Practicum placements generally require availability during regular daytime hours. The Department of Social Work will make reasonable efforts to work with a student to secure an appropriate practicum placement; however, it does not guarantee a placement.

Points of Contact

Questions about Practicum Education should be directed to:

Jeanne Booth
Director of Practicum Education
jbooth7@gmu.edu

Lisa Climer
Assistant Director of Practicum Education 
lclimer@gmu.edu

Melissa Hensley
Assistant Director of Practicum Education 
mhensle@gmu.edu

Elizabeth Laster 
Assistant Director of Practicum Education 
elaster@gmu.edu

Nina Kwartin
Information Specialist
nkwartin@gmu.edu

Supervised Practicum

Course work in the MSW program is supplemented by a total of 1,050 hours of supervised practicum. With the input of students and faculty, the Director of Practicum Education identifies and selects agency sites appropriate to each student’s strengths and learning goals. Placements include:

  • Juvenile and adult probation/parole
  • Nursing homes/hospitals/assisted living/hospice
  • Substance abuse treatment facilities
  • Mental health agencies
  • Child protective services/foster care/adoption
  • Family service agencies
  • Programs for people with disabilities
  • Group homes
  • Outreach programs
  • Community organizations
  • Advocacy groups
  • Membership associations
  • Local/state/federal legislative offices
  • Local/state/federal executive agencies

Practicum placements for both full- and part-time students require being available during regular working hours.  All students must arrange to be free of other obligations in order to fulfill the practicum requirement.

The Assistant Directors of Practicum Education place students in their practicum sites during the spring and early summer prior to the practicum year (prior to their first year in the program, for incoming two-year students, and prior to their second year for returning three-year and four-year students). It is each student's responsibility to be proactive in communicating with the assistant directors about their potential practicum site.

Documents for Students

MSW Practicum Manuals

Documents for Practicum Instructors and Agencies

Information about Practicum Sites