Host a Social Work Student

Let your Organization benefit from the knowledge and passion of a Social Work Student.

Overview

Would your organization benefit from the knowledge and passion of a social work student? Are you committed to mentoring social work students through practicum education?  If so, hosting a social work student for their practicum could be a fit for you.

The School of Social Work at Portland State University is seeking organizations that are interested in hosting social work students in educational practicum. We partner with over 500 organizations and match over 700 students a year in educationally focused training experiences.  Practicum should provide opportunities for students to be exposed to a range of roles and skills, client populations, service delivery models, culturally-responsive approaches, policy advocacy areas, while developing competence in social work skills and professional values.

Benefits of Hosting a Social Work Student

• Collaborate with students on innovative projects and practices that support agency strategic direction
• Supervision CEUs for Registered and Licensed Social Workers in Oregon who provide practicum instruction
• Attend our continuing education trainings and earn free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Access to reduced fee tuition benefit at PSU
• Network with other professional social workers
• Develop a workforce pathway in your agency
• Access faculty privileges to the PSU Library

Read Practicum Education Spotlights »

How Practicum Works

Placements typically begin in September and end in June. 

BSW and first year MSW students commit 12 hours/week to their practicum for a total of 400 hours. Final year/Advanced MSW students commit 16 hours/week to their practicum for a total of 500 hours.

Students' schedules are individually negotiated with their practicum instructors and must not conflict with their classroom schedule.

Students receive 1 hour of educational supervision per week with a qualified practicum instructor.

Types of Practicum

Generalist placements encourage students to have direct contact with service users (individual, family and/or group) and to have learning opportunities at the organization and community levels.

Generalist Practicum Overview

Advanced placements encourage students to develop expertise with a specific population, field of practice, or service delivery mode within the student’s chosen concentration. Advanced concentrations include:   

Advanced Macro Practice (Macro)

Advanced Clinical Practice (CLIN)

Practicum Roles

MSW Practicum Instructors (PI)

MSW practicum instructors are required to have a MSW and two (2) years post degree experience. Practicum instructors provide weekly individual and/or group educational supervision.

BSW Practicum Instructors (PI)

BSW practicum instructors are required to have a BSW or and MSW and two (2) years post degree experience. Practicum instructors provide weekly individual and/or group educational supervision.

Site Supervisors (SS)

Site supervisors work in the agency or program and provide day-to-day support to the student when the practicum instructor is not available.

Faculty Liaisons

Faculty liaisons conduct site visits with the student, practicum instructor and site supervisor and serve as liaison to the organization.

Apply

Apply to be a Practicum Instructor »

Apply to be a Practicum Site »

Contact Jessica Hayes if you experience any difficulty accessing the forms: jessica.hayes@pdx.edu