Practicum Education for On-Campus Students

Prepare for your social work career through hands-on practicum education.

The information below is specifically for students in our on-campus MSW program. If you are an online student, review the practicum guidelines for your program.

General Practicum Requirements

  • All practicums take place over two consecutive semesters and require 15 hours of attendance each week.
  • Expect to complete your practicum in person during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Night, weekend and remote availability cannot be guaranteed.
  • Foundation year students will complete their practicum with an organization that provides a generalist experience.
  • Advanced year students can personalize their practicum experience to their professional goals by sharing their preferences for the top three agencies they would like to be placed with.
  • Students working in a human services position should consider applying for an employment-based practicum. 

Explore specific requirements below for your program track. Note: Full time and part time are abbreviated to FT and PT, respectively. (Scroll to the right on a mobile device to see all options.)

Advanced Standing FT Advanced Standing PT Traditional FT Traditional PT
Practicum Type
 Minimum Total Hours
 Minimum Weekly Hours Semester Time Period
Foundation Year (first practicum) 420 15 Fall-Spring
Advanced Year (second practicum) 480 15 Fall-Spring

Practicum Process

  1. Make sure you can log into our software system, Sonia (you will receive an email with instructions to use UB's Duo two-step verification process).
  2. Complete necessary forms and upload your resume.
  3. Monitor your UB email closely for instructions from us to contact an organization to schedule an interview. 
  4. Reach out to the agency within 48 hours to schedule an interview.
  5. Attend the interview.
  6. If offered a practicum, log in to your profile and accept the offer.

Preparing For Your Practicum Interview

  • Conflicts of interest: Students should alert the practicum office immediately if they are assigned to interview at an agency that:
    • They have previously volunteered or been employed,
    • They or an immediate family member have received services from the agency in recent years, or
    • They have a personal or professional relationship with agency staff.
  • Student hours: Our expectation is that students will be at placement during hours that preserve the integrity of their learning, never less than 3-hour shifts. (See Practicum Education Calendar for specific details.) Be sure to discuss a practicum schedule (i.e., days and hours) at the interview.
  • Student career interests, professional goals and learning needs.
  • Establish a clear outcome: When might the agency get back to you regarding the outcome?
  • Students are responsible for following up. Clear communication between the student and the agency is very important. Update your interview status in Sonia.

Sample Questions for Students to Ask in Interview

  • What can the agency/practicum educator provide in terms of learning opportunities?
  • What can I expect in terms of supervision?  What is the supervisory style of the practicum educator?
  • What services does the agency provide? Find out as much as possible about the agency. Ask for brochures or any written material that might be available. What activities or tasks will I be doing as a student?
  • What has the practicum educator’s previous experiences been like with students? What seems to have worked well in terms of students/practicum educators benefiting from the experience?
  • What, if any, resources are available at the agency (i.e. computer availability, in-service training opportunities)?
  • For advanced year placements, are there any necessary prerequisites to having a placement at the agency? For example, some agencies ask that a student be willing to take psychopathology during the first semester of placement if they haven’t already done so). You may also want to ask the practicum educator for suggestions about courses that would be useful in getting the most out of placement.

Interview Tips

Practicums are professional learning experiences in real-life practice settings. Attending an interview does not guarantee you will be offered a practicum, as our partner organizations often interview multiple students and make selections.

Here are some helpful tips to secure your practicum:

  • Regularly check your UB email address for communication from the School of Social Work and organizations. You may receive emails from us during the summer.
  • You must schedule an interview with the organization — the School of Social Work will not do that on your behalf.
  • When you receive instructions to schedule an interview, contact the organization within 48 hours. Delays may result in an organization declining to interview you.
  • Arrive on time for the interview, whether it is in person or virtual.
  • Dress professionally.
  • If the interview is virtual, ensure you are in a private, quiet location with a neutral background.
  • Research the organization beforehand and prepare questions for the interviewer.
  • Be prepared to talk about your past experiences, what you have learned from them and what you hope to learn in the future.
  • Show eagerness to learn.