We work hard in the placement process to find you a practicum that is the best fit.

A lot of supports are provided for you while in your practicum. If you have challenges, reach out to your practicum liaison and communicate when challenges arise.

Most challenges can be remedied, but there are rare situations where we may change a placement at semester if isn’t the best fit.

Additionally, there are situations where students do fail practicum and lose hours, but this is a last resort.

We want everyone to have a practicum experience that is the best for them and the clients they desire to serve!

Herzing provides student support throughout your educational career. Importantly, you will have a field instructor you meet with weekly, with whom you will also be submitting weekly communication forms. Additionally, you will have a Practicum Liaison who is licensed Herzing MSW faculty member that will support you in your practicum course and provide support. The Director of Field is also available for any concerns that arise during the practicum experience.

Please note: Herzing University students who participate in an online course or programs are eligible for any/all student services offered by the University. These services typically include financial aid for those who qualify, employment assistance, academic advising, tutoring programs, and learning resources.

Yes. That is the beauty of field education at Herzing! You will be taking courses that will pertain to your field practicum and vice versa. Discussions and assignments are geared for an integrative student social work practitioner experience.

Yes, however these practicums are very hard to find, they may be easier to find for the 2nd year specialized practicum.

All practicums have activities that can be completed away from the practicum, but this does not make up majority of the hours.

Any agency that employs social workers or similar professionals and allows you to meet the 9 competencies of social work education.

Students have completed practicums at hospitals, schools, behavioral health hospitals, counseling agencies, community action agencies, substance recovery programs, residential facilities, and colleges.
 

Yes. Schedules are encouraged to be consistent, and some agencies may have more restrictions on scheduling than others. When seeking a good fit for your practicum, this conversation may be important during your initial discussion with agencies regarding scheduling. Ultimately, your base schedule is worked out between the student, agency, field instructor and Practicum Liaison. You also receive clock hours for supervision and approved hybrid activities can be added to your learning plan.

Yes. You can have Task Instructor who is a similar degree or background and provides day-to-day supervision.

You would need to work with the Director of Field to locate an external Field Instructor who can provide a weekly supervision and attend site visits and provide evaluations. Herzing does pay Field Instructors, so this is a helpful incentive.

First, we will make every effort to help you find your practicum placement. If this does happen, the student would not be enrolled in the agency practicum course, but you will still be enrolled in your classroom courses per your full-time or part-time schedule. You may take your agency practicum the following semester. Keep in mind this would likely delay graduation.

Yes! Through contact with the Director of Field and Practicum Readiness course, the student and Director of Field will work to find a placement that is the best fit for you and also meets our program requirements. Finding placement is a collaborative process in which you are encouraged to find placement ideas that fit their areas of interest in your local community. The Director of Field may also provide current partner agencies that are willing to host a student for practicum.

Yes, this is a possibility if you work in a setting that provides social work services and your employer will support activities and tasks that support your continued development as a social work practitioner. Employment-based settings require approval from the Director of Field Education. Students are required to submit the application for employment-based practicums.