MSW Practicum Education
Practicum education is more than a curriculum requirement — it is your opportunity to gain professional social work experience while earning your MSW.
During your practicum, you will:
- Apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom in real practice settings
- Receive guidance under the supervision of an experienced social worker
- Make a positive impact on clients, organizations and the larger community
As of fall 2025, field education is now known as practicum education in the School of Social Work. However, you may still see references to “field education” in course titles, documents and other dated web content.
Practicum Education at UB
Our unique approach to practicum education contributes to our recognition as a leader in graduate-level social work education. By completing practicum education at the UB School of Social Work, you can:
- Benefit from comprehensive practicum experiences in the Buffalo Niagara area — a highly diverse, multicultural region with an array of populations, including children and families, military veterans, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and many more
- Tailor your advanced-year practicum to your interests thanks to our robust network of partnerships with hundreds of organizations locally, nationally and internationally that specialize in nearly every area of social work
- Gain exposure to many elements of social work practice, from clinical interventions to policy work
- Receive support from a dedicated faculty liaison, on top of the guidance you receive at your practicum from an experienced social worker
At UB, you can also take advantage of many innovative opportunities:
- Complete your practicum at your current job with an employment-based practicum
- Immerse yourself in another culture with international and out-of-region practicums
- Specialize in specific practice areas through practicums with an enhanced curricular focus
UB students complete practicums in many settings
- Addiction treatment programs
- Correctional facilities
- Domestic violence agencies
- Foster care and adoption agencies
- Hospitals and medical practices
- Human service agencies
- Immigrant and refugee services
- Mental health care agencies
- Nursing homes
- Policy/advocacy groups
- Rural community services
- Schools
- Veterans agencies
- And many more!