Social Work Practicum Placements | Springfield College

Practicum education at Springfield College is a vital part of the social work curriculum. The practicum sequence serves as the link between knowledge gained in the classroom and the practice of social work from a generalist perspective. As a social work intern, you will experience human behavior in the social environment, practice, policy, and research, implementing it into practice in the field. 

Through practicum education, you will:

  • apply social work values, theory, skills, and knowledge to a broad range of systems;
  • learn to foster empowerment among vulnerable populations; and
  • practice in a setting in which the mission and goals of the curriculum may be actualized.

Under the guidance of social work practitioners serving as Practicum Supervisors, you will have the opportunity to apply and refine values, knowledge, and skills. You will bring these practicum experiences back to the classroom to examine them within the context of the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession and the generalist approach to social work practice.

Are you a practicum supervisor? Get all the information you need to know.  Supervisor forms and guidelines

Need more information?
Contact:
Dominique Shabazz, DSW, LCSW, MSW
Director of Practicum Education and Assistant Professor of Social Work
dshabazz@springfield.edu 
(413) 748-3027
 

The practicum is an agency-based practice experience where you develop professional social work competence in the application of generalist concepts that are presented and discussed throughout the academic curriculum. The practicum provides an opportunity for you to: perform, with supervision, a variety of planned multilevel social work interventions; to learn to work effectively in different social work settings; and to understand the everyday operations of community and social service systems.

The practicum requirements are structured within four areas of learning to ensure that you gain experience in developing a full range of generalist social work practice skills. These areas of learning are:

  1. Direct service with individuals and families,
  2. Group work, 
  3. Community development and organization, and
  4. Administration and organizational development, for the second year of the MSW program.

The Springfield College Department of Social Work places students in a variety of agencies throughout New England and New York State. You will be exposed to a wide range of practice opportunities with clients of diverse backgrounds in both urban and rural settings. Appropriate field settings include a range of human service, educational, health, and criminal justice settings where students work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Practicum Education Placements FAQ

How many internships am I required to engage in?

Full-time Weekday Program and Full-time Weekday Evening Program: Two internships concurrent with classes during the two academic years (September to May).

Part-time Weekend Program: Two internships concurrent with classes during the second and third academic years (September to May).

Advanced Standing Program: One internship concurrent with classes for either the full-time Weekday Program or the part-time Weekend Program during the academic year (September to May).

Combined M.S.W./Juris Doctor Program: Two social work internships concurrent with classes during the first and fourth academic years (September to May).

How many hours do I need in each placement?

Full-time Weekday Program and Full-time Weekday Evening Program

First Internship, First Year: 400 hours, 14.50 hours per week for 14 weeks for two semesters.
Second Internship, Second Year – 500 hours, 18 hours per week for 14 weeks for two semesters.

Part-time Weekend Program 

First Internship, Second Year – 400 hours, 14.50 hours per week for 14 weeks for two semesters.
Second Internship, Second Year – 500 hours, 18 hours per week for 14 weeks for two semesters.

Advanced Standing Program

One internship, either Weekday or Weekend Program – 500 hours, 18 hours per week for 14 weeks for two semesters.

M.S.W./Juris Doctor Program

First Internship, First Year – 400 hours, 14.50 hours per week for 14 weeks for two semesters.
Second Internship, Fourth Year – 500 hours, 18 hours per week for 14 weeks for two semesters.

How am I assigned a practicum placement by the school?

There are three choices for arranging a practicum placement. For students already admitted to one of the programs, faculty advisor agreement precedes the choice of option; final approval lies with the Assistant Dean for Practicum Education and/or the Assistant Directors of Practicum Education. 

Option A – Employment-Based Internship This option is for students currently employed by a social services agency that might also provide the setting for an internship. There are accreditation stipulations that apply. See the next “frequently asked” question for more details on this option.

Option B – School-Assigned Internship Students are assigned a practicum placement from among the area agencies with which the School of Social Work has established an educational relationship. These agencies offer a history of success with students as well as supervisors who have committed themselves to the mission of the School. Students may suggest which agency from among those agencies they are most interested; however, the final determination of assignment lies with the School. 

Option C – Student Suggested Internship Opportunity In some circumstances, students may suggest a placement opportunity at an agency with which the department of Social Work does not yet have an educational relationship. These suggestions are evaluated by the Assistant Dean for Practicum Education or Assistant Directors of Practicum Education using criteria from the School’s accrediting agency, the Council on Social Work Education. Students may provide the name and telephone number of the agency and the name of a contact person, if available. The Assistant Dean for Practicum Education or Assistant Directors of Practicum Education will investigate the suitability of the suggested opportunity in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor and the student. 

What is an "employment-based" practicum placement?

This is a possibility for students currently employed in an agency that provides social work services to clients. Stipulations for using one’s place of employment for an internship include: 

  1. The experience must provide micro (direct service to individuals and families), mezzo (both helping and administrative groupwork), and macro (community outreach or administrative projects) opportunities for social work practice. 
  2. An M.S.W. with three years post-M.S.W. practice experience must be available to provide supervision to the student. This individual should have taken or be willing to take a seminar series in field supervision concurrent with supervising the student. Generally, this individual is not the student's current work supervisor. 
  3. The student must be engaged in duties other than typical work duties for the time of the internship. 
  4. Hours are arranged through consultation by the student with supervisors of the agency. These may be within the student’s typical work schedule, be over and above the student’s typical work schedule, or some combination of the two. 

The Assistant Dean and Assistant Directors provide information to the student’s work supervisors to assist in making an employment-based internship a viable option for students. Students may use their place of employment for two internships, provided that each experience is in different programs of the agency and that a different M.S.W. supervisor is available for each experience, and that each experience meets the curricular expectations of the two years of internship experience. 

New employment that meets criteria for a practicum placement may also be considered for a practicum placement opportunity, additional criteria related to the curriculum apply. 

What is a "school-assigned" practicum placement?

An internship that is "school-assigned" is made from among the over 300 agencies with which the Department of Social Work has established an educational relationship over time. The range of agencies with which we have worked in the past includes schools, hospitals, mental health providers, community centers, elder services, substance abuse treatment providers, providers of services to those with developmental disabilities, and many others. These assignments are made in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor and the student and are based on educational needs and availability. 

Can I look for a practicum placement on my own?

You may suggest a placement opportunity and provide the Assistant Dean for Practicum Education or Assistant Directors of Practicum Education with the name of the suggested agency and the telephone number and the name of a contact person, if available. The Assistant Dean for Practicum Education or Assistant Directors of Practicum Education will investigate further and will determine the suitability of a site based on information gathered and in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. The site must have available: 

  1. Appropriate educational opportunities (micro, mezzo, and macro experiences) in which the student may engage, and 
  2. An M.S.W. with three years post-M.S.W. practice experience to supervise, who has taken or is willing to take a seminar series in student supervision. 

The final determination of practicum site suitability is made by the Assistant Dean for Practicum Education or Assistant Directors of Practicum Education based on accreditation requirements. 

Will my interests be taken into account when a practicum placement is made for me?

You may make suggestions about the populations with which you would like to work. However, practicum placement assignment is also based on educational suitability, recommendations of advisors, and general availability. 

Students who are employed and who do not plan to use their place of employment for an internship are strongly encouraged to arrange for flexible time in their place of employment. Almost all social work agencies expect that students will be available during the time when the agency is fully functioning so that they may attend staff meetings, case conferences, and professional consultation sessions. These are between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Also, field placements may be made up to 60 miles from the student’s place of residence. 

Who supervises practicum placements?

Qualified social workers who have taken or are taking the seminar series in practicum instruction serve as field supervisors. They must have an earned M.S.W. and have three years post-M.S.W. practice experience. Many of our long-standing supervisors have worked with our students for many years. Many have graduated from our program and, thus, fully understand the goals and requirements of the advanced generalist practice curriculum.

What role does my advisor play in practicum placements?

Faculty advisors will consult with you, and, based on the consultation and your individual educational needs, will support your ideas and/or will make additional recommendations to the Assistant Dean for Practicum Education or Assistant Directors of Practicum Education. 

Faculty advisors also assist throughout the internship experience. They visit the agency, review and sign Learning Contracts and mid-year and final evaluations, and provide the final grades for the internship experience, which is graded "Pass" or "Fail". 

What activities are required in practicum placements?

There are three major social work practice areas in which students are required to engage for their practicum placement: 

  1. Direct Service with Individuals and Families (micro practice); 
  2. Helping and Administrative Group work and Organizational Development (mezzo practice); and 
  3. Community Outreach (first placement) or Administrative (second placement) Projects or Experiences (macro practice). 

How are student experiences in practicum placements evaluated?

Students are evaluated in their practicum placement experience by their field supervisors (the M.S.W.s who are provided as supervisors by the agency) and by their faculty advisors at the end of the first semester and at the end of the second semester. Universal learning objectives are indicated on standardized forms that provide guidelines, but the individual needs of the agency and the possibility for creativity and innovation are recognized. 

Practicum Education Office

For questions about practicum internship requirements and possibilities, please contact Jacqueline LeHouiller at jlehouiller@springfieldcollege.edu or (413) 748-3001.

Practicum Education Placements

The Department of Social Work has developed practicum placements at more than 300 agencies in New England and New York State. The following list provides an idea of the range of services in which students have completed the required fieldwork component of the curriculum. The school has worked with many agencies for several years, but every year brings new funding and staffing conditions to agencies. Agencies may not be able to accept a student in any given year. Thus, the following list should be viewed as illustrative only. Prospective students must be aware that nearly all agencies require daytime, weekday hours for internships, so that students may experience the agency and its services when fully functioning. Students must arrange with their place of employment for flexible hours that allow for daytime, weekday hours in the practicum placement. Prospective students must also be aware that most agencies require a background check of criminal records and that some placements will not or cannot accept a student with a criminal record history.

Connecticut

  • Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut
  • AIDS Project Hartford
  • Alcohol & Drug Recovery Centers, Inc.
  • American School for the Deaf
  • Amistad Academy Elementary
  • APT Foundation
  • Bloomfield Public Schools
  • Boys and Girls Village
  • Branford Public Schools
  • Bridge Family Center
  • Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center
  • Bridgeport Public Schools
  • Bristol Public Defender's Office
  • Bristol Youth Services
  • Capitol Region Mental Health Center
  • Catholic Charities
  • Center for Human Development
  • Center for Multicultural Psychological Services, LCC
  • Center of Attention
  • Charter Oak Health Center
  • Chemical Abuse Services Agency, Inc.
  • Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut
  • Child Guidance Clinic of Greater Waterbury
  • Child Guidance Clinic, Inc.
  • Children's Community Programs of Connecticut
  • Children's Home of Cromwell
  • The Children's Place
  • Church Street School
  • Clifford Beers Child Guidance
  • Community Child Guidance Clinic
  • Community Health Center, Inc.
  • Community Health Resources
  • Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc.
  • Community Solutions
  • The Connecion
  • Connecticut Aids Resource
  • Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership
  • Connecticut Children & Family Center, Inc.
  • Connecticut Children's Medical Center
  • Connecticut Community Care, Inc.
  • Connecticut Counseling Center
  • Connecticut Department of Children and Families
  • Connecticut Department Of Corrections
  • Connecticut Department of Developmental Disabilities
  • Connecticut Hospice
  • Connecticut Junior Republic
  • Connecticut Mental Health Center
  • Connecticut Renaissance
  • Connecticut Valley Hospital
  • The Consultation Center
  • Continuum of Care, Inc.
  • Cross Middle School
  • Day Kimball Hospital
  • Department of Youth Services
  • EastConn
  • Ellis Technical High School
  • E.O. Smith High School
  • Enfield Social Services Department
  • Family and Children's Agency
  • Family Intervention Center
  • Family Resource Associates, LLC
  • Family Services of Central Connecticut
  • Family Services of Greater Waterbury, Inc.
  • Family Services Working to Strengthen our Communities
  • Focus Alternative Learning Center
  • Fresenius Central Connecticut Dialysis
  • Freshman Academy of Hartford Public Schools
  • Genesis Center
  • Grant Street Partnership
  • Greater Bridgeport Adolescent Pregnancy Program
  • Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center
  • Griswold Elementary School
  • Hamden Public Schools
  • Hartford Community Court
  • Hartford Department of Social Services
  • Hartford Judicial District Community Court
  • Hartford Psychological Services
  • Hartford Public Schools
  • High Meadows
  • Hill Health Center
  • Hockanum Valley Community Center, Inc.
  • Hope Community Development Center
  • Hospital of Central Connecticut
  • The Institute of Living
  • InterCommunity Mental Health Group, Inc.
  • Interval House
  • Jewish Family Services
  • Johnson Memorial Hospital
  • Joshua Center
  • Kettlebrook Care Center
  • Keystone House, Inc.
  • Kinsella Magnet School for Performing Arts
  • Klingberg Family Centers
  • Legion Clinica
  • Manchester Memorial Hospital
  • Manchester Public Schools
  • Mercy Housing and Shelter Corp.
  • Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, Inc.
  • Mid State Behavioral Health
  • Middlesex Hospital
  • Midstate Medical Center
  • Morris Foundation
  • My People Clinical Services
  • Natchaug Hospital
  • National Association of Social Workers
  • New Britain Public Schools
  • New Directions
  • New Haven Health Department.
  • New Haven Dept. of Police Service/Police Academy
  • New Hope Manor
  • New London Board of Education
  • New Milford Hospital
  • North Central Counseling Services
  • Northwest Aid Program
  • Northwest Mental Health Authority
  • Norwalk Public Schools
  • Norwich Free Academy
  • Nursing Care Center of Bristol
  • Office of Chief Public Defender
  • Optimus Health Care
  • Osborn Correctional Center
  • Parish Hill High School
  • People Against Injustice
  • Perceptions Program, Inc.
  • Prime Time House
  • Public Defender - Hartford
  • Regional Network of Programs, Inc.
  • Rushford Center
  • Safe House
  • Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center
  • Salvation Army
  • Sound Community Services
  • South Central Rehabilitation Center (Hill Health Center)
  • South Windsor Public Schools
  • Southington Public Schools
  • St. Agnes Home, Inc.
  • St. Francis Hospital
  • Stamford Superior Court-Family Relations
  • State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division Adult Supervision
  • Stay Well Health Center
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (CMHC)
  • Suffield Emergency Aid Association
  • UCONN Health Center
  • United Community & Family Service
  • United Services, Inc.
  • Village for Families & Children
  • Vitas Innovative Hospice
  • Waterbury Public Schools
  • Waterbury Hospital
  • Waterford Country Day School
  • Wellpath Behavioral Health for children and Families
  • West Hartford Public Schools
  • West Haven Clinic
  • Wheeler Clinic
  • William Backus Hospital
  • Windham Hospital
  • Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School
  • Woodhouse Academy
  • Woodside Intermediate School
  • YMCA Ralphola Taylor Community Center
  • Yale Child Study Center
  • Yale-New Haven Hospital

Massachusetts

  • AdCare Hospital
  • Agawam Counseling Center
  • Agawam Public Schools
  • AIM Community Enterprises
  • Athol-Royalston Middle School
  • Baystate Medical Center
  • Baystate VNA and Hospice
  • Behavioral Health Network
  • Berkshire Center for Families & Children
  • Berkshire Children and Families
  • Berkshire County Kid's Place
  • Berkshire Hills Music Academy
  • Berkshire Medical Center
  • Birch Manor Nursing Home
  • Boston Children's Hospital
  • The Brien Center
  • Brightside for Families and Children
  • The Care Center
  • Carson Center for Development
  • Catholic Charities
  • Center for Development
  • Charlene Manor
  • Cheshire Public Schools
  • Chicopee Dialysis
  • Chicopee District Court
  • Chicopee Public Schools
  • Child and Behavoral Health Associates
  • Child and Family Services of Pioneer Valley
  • Child Guidance Clinic
  • Children's Study Home
  • Citizen's School at Duggan Middle School
  • Clinical and Support Options, Inc.
  • Commonwealth of Mass. Trial Court
  • Community Health Link
  • Community Safety Center
  • Cooley Dickinson Hospital
  • Counseling and Assessment Clinic of Worcester
  • Craneville Elementary School
  • Craneville Place
  • Cutchins Programs for Children and Families
  • Department of Public Health
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Services Hospital
  • Eagleton School, Inc.
  • East Street Elementary School
  • Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc.
  • Eliot Community Human Services
  • Elizabeth Freeman Center
  • Emerson Hospital
  • Everywomen's Center at UMASS
  • Family Services of Central Massachusetts
  • Franklin County Home Care
  • Franklin Medical Center
  • Fresenius Medical Care
  • G.B. Wells Human Service Center
  • Gandara Center, Inc.
  • Gill-Montague Regional Schools
  • Hampden County Correctional Center
  • Hampshire County Sheriff's Office
  • Harrington Memorial Hospital: G.B. Wells
  • Hawthorne Services
  • Heritage Woods
  • Hillcrest Educational Center
  • Holyoke Medical Center
  • Holyoke Public Schools
  • Hospice of Franklin County
  • Hospicecare in the Berkshires, Inc.
  • Jeremiah's Inn
  • Jewish Geriatric Services
  • Key Program, Inc.
  • Kindred Hospital Park View
  • Longmeadow Public Schools
  • Loomis Senior Living, Inc.
  • Lowell General Hospital
  • MAB Community Services
  • Maple Valley School
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence
  • Massachusetts Career Development Institute
  • Massachusetts Mentor
  • Massachusetts Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Children
  • McInerney Parent Center
  • Mental Health Association
  • Monson Public Schools
  • New England Adolescent Research Institute (NEARI)
  • New England Learning Center for Women in Transition
  • New North Citizens' Council
  • Noble Hospital
  • North Adams Public Schools
  • Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  • Northeast Center for Youth & Families
  • Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
  • Notre Dame Long Term Care Center
  • Orange Public Schools
  • Palmer Monson Family Network
  • Partners for a Healthier Community
  • Pittsfield Public Schools
  • Phoenix Academy of Springfield
  • Poet's Seat Healthcare Center
  • Providence Behavioral Health Hospital
  • Providence Care Center of Lenox
  • Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts
  • Redstone Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
  • Reed's Landing
  • RFK Children's Action Corp.
  • Saint Vincent Hospital
  • ServiceNet
  • Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services
  • Shriner's Hospital for Children
  • Sisters of Providence Health System
  • South Hadley Public Schools
  • Springdale Education Center
  • Springfield Public Schools
  • Square One
  • Stetson School
  • Summit Elder Care
  • Tufts Medical Center
  • Umass Memorial Medical Center
  • Valley Human Services
  • Valley Infant Development Services
  • Valley Opportunity Council
  • Valley Psychiatric Services, Inc.
  • VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickenson
  • Wernick Adult Day Health Care Center
  • Wesson Women's Clinic
  • Western Mass Mentor
  • Western Mass. Regional Women's Correctional Center
  • Western Massachusetts Legal Services
  • Westfield Youth Service Center DYS
  • Williamsburg Public Schools
  • Willimansett Nursing Center West
  • Willis Center
  • Wingate at Springfield
  • Women's Lunch Place
  • Worcester Public Schools
  • Worcester State Hospital
  • YMCA of Greater Springfield
  • YWCA of Western Massachusetts
  • YOU, Inc.

New Hampshire

  • Camp Tevya / Cohen Camps
  • Family Guidance Center of Milford, Inc.
  • Gateways Community Services
  • Keystone Hall
  • Monadnock Family Services
  • New Hampshire Department of Children, Youth & Families

New York

  • AIDS Council of Northeastern NY
  • Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth
  • C.V.Starr Intermediate School
  • Eddy Ford Nursing Home
  • Ellis Medicine
  • Northeast Health
  • Parsons Child & Family Center
  • Samaritan Counseling Center
  • St. Peter's Addiction Recovery Centers

Rhode Island

  • Butler Hospital
  • Communities for People, Inc.
  • Day One
  • Mental Health Association
  • Phoenix House
  • Rhode Island Foster Parent Association

Vermont

  • Brattleboro Retreat
  • Brattleboro Youth Services
  • Center for Adoption and Attachment
  • Clara Martin Center
  • Families First of Southern Vermont
  • Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont
  • Northeast Family Institute
  • Otis Healthcare
  • South Royalton School
  • Spectrum Co-Op
  • United Counseling Services
  • Vermont Achievement Center
  • Vermont Department of Children and Families
  • Windham Center for Psychiatric Care
  • Youth Services