Practicum Education for Online Students

Online MSW students take a leading role in developing a practicum that help them gain valuable experience and prepare for their social work career.

The information below is specifically for students in our part-time online MSW program. If you are a student in an on-campus program, 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 is rare and cannot be guaranteed.
  • Students working in a human services position should consider applying for an employment-based practicum. 
  • 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.
  • All online students must come prepared to assist in locating practicum agencies in their region for their foundation and advanced years. 

Explore specific requirements below for your program track:

Traditional PT Advanced Standing PT
Practicum Type
 Minimum Total Hours
 Minimum Weekly Hours Semester Time Period
Advanced Year 480 15 Spring-Summer

Steps for Securing a Practicum

First steps for all online students

  1. You will receive a UB email directing you to log into our software system, Sonia, using your UBIT name and password. 
  2. Complete the acknowledgment form that indicates whether you wish to apply for an employment-based practicum. 

Employment-based practicums

If you requested an employment-based practicum , follow the instructions on the employment-based practicum webpage.

Non-employment-based practicums

  1. Complete the practicum application indicating your geographic preference and upload your resume. 
  2. You will be assigned a practicum coordinator based on geographic region, who you will work with until you secure your practicum. Monitor your UB email for instructions to schedule an appointment with your practicum coordinator.
  3. You are an integral part of the practicum process and must put in the time needed. Come to the meeting with your practicum coordinator prepared with at least three potential practicum sites to explore. See tips below for identifying potential agencies. 
  4. If you find an agency willing to interview you, and we have not worked with them previously, provide the organization’s information and contact person to your practicum coordinator. All new agencies go through a vetting process to be sure they meet our requirements.
  5. Interview with one agency at a time until you are offered a practicum.
  6. Continue to communicate with your practicum coordinator throughout the entire process.
Tips for Identifying Practicum Sites
  • Tap into your professional network and search online (e.g. 211) for social service agencies, including such sites as schools, clinics, community centers and departments of social services.
  • Your goal when reaching out to agencies is to secure an interview.
  • Contact the agency and introduce yourself as an MSW student from University at Buffalo School of Social Work. State that you are interested in learning about possible MSW internship opportunities and would like to connect with the person who coordinates social work practicums for the agency.
  • Important questions to ask:
    • Does the agency accept MSW interns?
    • Does the agency have an LMSW, LCSW or someone with the equivalent MSW licensure in their state who can provide practicum supervision?
    • What activities might an MSW student have the opportunity to participate in at the agency?
    • Would they consider an affiliation with the UB School of Social Work?
    • What do they need from you and the school to consider interviewing you for a MSW practicum?
  • Inform the agency of your practicum education requirements:
    • 15 hours per week over the course of two semesters.
    • The semester you expect to begin your practicum.
    • Total required practicum hours (420 hours for foundation and 480 hours for advanced year).

Read more tips for navigating your practicum as an online student.

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.
More information for agencies about partnering with UBSSW for practicum education