About Practicum Education

Social work education provides students with a unique opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to practice in community agencies. This experience is referred to as the Practicum. Practicum is extremely important and is a requirement to graduate with your social work degree and for future employment as a social worker. Practicum is often referred to as the "heart of social work education." It is imperative that every student is prepared to make the commitment of time and energy that the practicum will require. Practicum is an exciting component of the BSW & MSW programs and the School of Social Work endeavors to make every student practicum challenging and rewarding!

Once a student is selected to participate in the BSW or MSW program, they must make themselves available during the spring and summer before the beginning of the program to meet with a Practicum Coordinator, interview with community agencies, and establish their practicum site. Student availability preceding the semester is extremely important to avoid any delay in beginning the practicum.

For students considering our DL programs, out of area students should be aware that practicum must take place in one of our 18 Northern California Counties. Please refer to our Service Region(opens in new window) map. 

Students who are already employed by a social service agency often inquire about using their employment as a practicum site. There are strict guidelines that must be met in order to be placed at an existing employment site for practicum. Please refer to our Employment-Based Practicum(opens in new window) webpage for more information. Students also inquire about the possibility of a paid placement. While some agencies occasionally offer stipends or paid placements, this is not the norm. When an agency offers to pay a student during the practicum, the faculty liaison works closely with that agency to ensure that the practicum remains educationally-focused.

Prospective students may contact Patrick Borel, Director of Practicum Education, with questions about the Practicum Education Program.

Students who are currently in a practicum should direct their questions to their assigned faculty liaison. 

Agencies who are interested in hosting social work students for practicum can refer to our How to Become a Practicum Site(opens in new window) webpage for detailed information on practicum requirements and agency onboarding. 

Patrick Borel
Director of Practicum Education
(530) 898-5875
pborel@csuchico.edu