How many hours are required to complete the practicum?
TSSW’s Practicum Education Program provides a one-and-done model for the practicum placement experience that includes a requirement of 900 hours over the course of three semesters for on-campus or online full-time students and six semesters for online part-
time students.
When does practicum education begin and end?
When practicum education begins and ends depends upon the student’s enrollment type:
- Advanced standing students begin their practicum placement immediately upon enrollment at TSSW.
- For on-campus and online full-time students, preparation for the Practicum begins in the first semester, and the practicum begins in the second semester and continues for three consecutive semesters.
- Online part-time students begin preparation for practicum in their first and second semesters, and the practicum begins in the third semester and continues for six consecutive semesters
All students complete a minimum of 900 hours in their practicum.
How many hours a week will each student need to commit to the practicum placement?
On-campus and online full-time students must complete a minimum of 24 practicum hours per week over three 15-week semesters. Online part-time students must complete a minimum of 12 practicum hours per week over six semesters. All students are required to
complete a minimum of 900 practicum hours.
What days will students be at their practicum placements?
On-campus students attend their practicum placements on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 24 hours per week and attend classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Online students, both full-time and part-time, collaborate with their practicum site to develop a mutually agreed-upon schedule that aligns with the site’s operational needs and regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Full-time online students complete 24 hours of practicum per week, while part-time online students complete 12 hours per week. Students may not complete the entirety of their practicum hours on evenings and weekends and are expected to have daytime availability
What specific requirements must be completed prior to starting the placement?
Students must successfully complete all Foundation semester courses with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher, meet and maintain the School's standards for professional behavior, and obtain liability insurance. Practicum placement sites may require a criminal background check, drug test, proof of immunizations, and Tuberculosis (TB) and Hepatitis B testing. The student will learn about these requirements as part of the placement process.
Do students get paid during their practicums?
No. However, some practicum sites may offer a stipend to students. TSSW has no influence on whether a practicum site will offer a stipend.
How are students placed at agencies and can students choose their internship placement?
The Practicum Education Team will work with each student to identify a practicum placement based on their goals, expectations, interests, prior experience, and geographic location. We strive to provide placement experiences that complement and broaden students’ educational and professional development. Our primary role during the placement process is to support students, practicum sites, and Practicum Supervisors in finding the best, mutually beneficial fit. Our Practicum Education Team will orient students to practicum through three separate online orientations, two of which are dedicated specifically to practicum Education
Students may not directly contact any practicum sites prior to being given approval to do so from the Practicum Education Team. All practicum partner sites are thoroughly vetted to ensure they meet CSWE accreditation standards and TSSW requirements for hosting students. TSSW is required to have a legal agreement with all partner sites and there are specific requirements for practicum sites to host students; therefore, the Practicum Education Team will reach out to practicum sites to determine their appropriateness and ability to meet the learning requirements of a practicum experience. You are an expert in your community, so we ask that you provide up to three (3) sites in your area that could potentially serve as practicum sites, and we will take it from there.
Are all practicum placements completed in New Orleans?
On-campus students will attend their practicum placement in-person in New Orleans and the surrounding parishes. Online students will complete their practicum placement in-person in their local communities..
If a student does not have a car, how will they get to their practicum placement site?
The Practicum Education Team makes every effort to identify practicum placements that are geographically convenient for each student. However, students are responsible for arranging and securing transportation to and from their in-person practicum site. Students without access to a personal vehicle are expected to use available public transportation or other appropriate transportation options.
Will personal circumstances affect a student’s placement in practicum?
Discussion of personal circumstances that may affect a student’s practicum placement, such as prior legal involvement, is an important part of the pre-placement process. Many of our practicum partner sites also require students to complete a background check and/or drug screen as part of their onboarding process. Students are expected to disclose relevant information so the Practicum Education Team can identify appropriate placement options and provide support throughout the placement process. Failure to disclose relevant information may impact placement opportunities and the student’s ability to successfully
progress through the program.
Can students do their practicum placements where they work?
Yes! The Council on Social Work Education recognizes and allows employment-based practicum placements as long as the educational integrity of the practicum is maintained.
An Employment-Based Practicum allows eligible students to complete their practicum at their current place of employment while meeting all TSSW Practicum Education requirements. To be considered, the student must have been employed at the organization for at least three months prior to the start of practicum. The practicum must provide MSW-level learning opportunities and tasks that align with the Nine CSWE Core Competencies and are distinct from the student’s regular employment responsibilities. Employment-based practicums must meet all CSWE and TSSW requirements, including appropriate supervision and learning opportunities.
Students who wish to pursue an employment-based practicum must submit an application to the Practicum Education Team during the placement process. All
employment-based placements must be reviewed and approved by the Practicum Education Team.
Can students complete hours during University holidays and semester breaks?
No. Students may not complete practicum hours during university holidays or semester breaks. At the beginning of the practicum, students should provide their Practicum Supervisor with the TSSW academic calendar outlining official university holidays and breaks. Because practicum is an academic component of the MSW curriculum and is tied to enrollment in the corresponding practicum and seminar course, students may only participate in practicum activities and accrue hours during the official semester dates for which they are enrolled. These breaks also provide an important opportunity for students to prioritize self-care and rest so they can return to practicum refreshed.
Will students receive grades for their practicum placements?
Yes. Practicum Education courses are graded on a Satisfactory (“S”) or Unsatisfactory (“U”) basis. To earn a Satisfactory grade, students must complete all course assignments, actively participate in class, and complete all required Practicum hours. Additionally, the Practicum Supervisor at the student’s site completes a detailed written evaluation of the student’s performance each semester
Where can students get a copy of the TSSW Practicum Education Manual?
The Practicum Education Manual is available here.