Practicum Instructors
Role of Practicum Instructors in Practicum Education
Practicum instructors play an essential role in the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work's practicum education program, providing students with opportunities to integrate prior life and work experiences with the development of new professional skills. Their primary objective is to prepare students to enter the social work profession by guiding them through meaningful learning experiences across all departments of study.
Practicum instructors serve as supervisors and educators, committed to three core components of practicum education:
- Orientation to the Agency: Practicum instructors familiarize students with the professional system of the agency, including its mission, the community it serves, policies, protocols (especially risk management and safety) and expectations for professional behavior and attire.
- Teacher-Learner Relationship: Practicum instructors cultivate a productive and supportive relationship with students, fostering an environment conducive to learning and professional growth.
- Development of Learning Opportunities: They design diverse and enriching practicum experiences, exposing students to a variety of case assignments and professional responsibilities to enhance their learning and skill development.
Practicum instructors are responsible for providing direct practice opportunities that include:
- Multi-level practice, such as individual, group and systemic interventions.
- Multiple treatment modalities.
- Engaging in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, intervention, outcomes evaluation and termination.
- Exposure to multi-cultural populations.
- Activities such as advocacy, resource referral, community needs assessment, evaluation and documentation.
- Development of macro-level skills, including advocacy, evaluation, fundraising, grant writing, program development and others as indicated in the specific department of study.
Practicum placement is a required, unit-earning course, and the practicum instructor carries the responsibility for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating students' educational experience based on their progress meeting the CSWE Social Work Competencies.
Practicum Instructor Requirements and Application Process
MSW interns are supervised by practicum instructors who are designated by the agency and approved by the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Practicum instructors play a critical role in teaching and upholding the values, ethics and competencies of the social work profession. To qualify as a practicum instructor, individuals must meet the following requirements:
- Hold an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited school of social work.
- Possess at least two years of post-MSW work experience.
- Attend and complete a 12-15 hour training program for new practicum instructors, conducted by USC or another CSWE-accredited school of social work, as approved by the assistant deans or senior vice dean of practicum education.
- Provide a completion certificate for the new practicum instruction training from USC or any approved CSWE-accredited school of social work.
To begin the approval process, potential practicum instructors must complete the New Practicum Instructor Information Form. Candidates must also commit to fulfilling all documentation, supervision, and evaluation requirements of the program, including the ability to assess student progress in accordance with the most current CSWE Social Work Competencies.
This structured approval and training process ensures that practicum instructors are well-equipped to support the learning and development of MSW students, fostering their growth into competent, ethical social work professionals.
General Practicum Documents
Agencies/Practicum Instructors - Forms
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