Practicum Education
A dynamic and integral part of our MSW curriculum, Practicum Education allows you to work directly with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations, helping you gain the essential skills you need to make a real impact in people’s lives before you even graduate.
On-Campus (Boston-Charles River) Students
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The Professional Development Seminar spans the three years that you are enrolled in the program, and its focus follows the learning tasks you’ll encounter at different stages in the program. The first year, the seminar provides an introduction to social work roles, values, and ethics; a review of the field placement process; and how to prepare for the foundation field internship. During the second year, the seminar focus is on expectations for the foundation field internship, the advanced field placement process, and preparation for the advanced field internship. In the final year, the seminar focus is on expectations for the advanced internship, portfolio review, social work career and licensing information, transitions, and endings. Professional Development Seminar Blackboard Please click here for more information.Off-Campus & Hybrid Students
Off-Campus Program & Hybrid (OCHP) Professional Development Seminar
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Placement Process for Off-Campus/Hybrid and Online Program Students
The Practicum Coordinator The Practicum Coordinator is a member of the practicum education team. Students begin working with a Practicum Coordinator as they near the start of their practicum placement (often during the second or early in the third semester. The Practicum Coordinator will be the point person for the placement search. They will assist students in defining areas of interest, locate a practicum placement that meets learning goals and confirm that the setting meets BUSSW agency expectations. The Practicum Liaison A student begins working with a Practicum Liaison when they begin their placement. The Practicum Liaison will serve as the point person for a student’s internship experience. The Practicum Liaison will assess how students are doing in their practicum placement. They will review and provide feedback on learning contracts, process recordings, and reflection and policy assignments, as well as conduct a site visit at least once each semester with the student and their practicum instructor. The Practicum Liaison will be the contact person for any practicum related matters. They will recommend the practicum grade at the end of each semester. The Professional Development Seminar spans the three years that you are enrolled in the program, and its focus follows the learning tasks you’ll encounter at different stages in the program. The seminar is designed to familiarize you with the social work profession and its core values, engage you in preparation for the foundation and advanced internships, help you utilize specific learning tools in the classroom and field internships, assist you in integrating your classroom and field learning, and assist you with licensing and your job search. It also serves as an advising tool. The Professional Development Seminar is delivered throughout the program in online modules which you’ll take once per semester. Please click here for more information. Professional Development Seminar Blackboard Please contact us at sswolp@bu.edu if you need any additional information.Online Program Students
Advising
Online Program (OLP) Professional Development Seminar
Placement Process for Off-Campus/Hybrid Program and Online Program Students
Forms and Helpful Information