Practicum Instructor Resources
Practicum instructors play a vital role in the education of our students. Through supervision and mentorship, practicum instructors help students bridge theory into practice. This approach is vital to the development of social work and social policy practitioners.
In collaboration with over 300 practicum sites around the world, our students bring discipline-specific expertise in translating knowledge to practice, managing complex systems and data, and converting ideas to action. Practicum/Internship students contribute these skills and knowledge toward organization mission, vision, and goals.
Depending on the focus of their studies (which we call a concentration or specialization), students also develop specialized skills in areas like research, policy or system dynamics. You can recruit students that match the needs of your organization and the position you have in mind. To host a practicum/internship student, your organization will need to formally affiliate with the Brown School as a practicum/internship site. Then you — or someone at your organization — will take the steps to become affiliated as a practicum instructor.
Keep in mind that there are different requirements for practicum instructors, depending on the kind of practicum/internship student you’d like to work with.
Contact the Office of Practicum Education at ope@wustl.edu.
Eligibility Requirements for Practicum Instructors
| Type of Practicum | Education Required | Education Required | Contact for More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSW Foundation Practicum: Provides generalist skills for a student in their first year of the MSW program | Master of Social Work degree | 2 years post-MSW; 1 year at the current position | Practicum Site Coordinator ope@wustl.edu |
| MSW Concentration Practicum: Provides skills tied to the specific practicum of practice an MSW student is focusing on | Master of Social Work or a related master’s degree | 2 years post master’s degree; 1 year at the current position | Practicum Site Coordinator ope@wustl.edu |
| MSP Internship | Master’s degree, substantive experience in policy | Reviewed upon application | Tammy Orahood, Director of Global Programs orahood@wustl.edu |
The information below will give you an overview of the affiliation process, but please contact ope@wustl.edu with questions. We’d love to discuss how the Brown School can partner with you to educate the next generation of social work and social policy practitioners.
Practicum Instructor Benefits
To recognize the important service practicum instructors do for our students and for our profession, we offer a variety of benefits for Brown School practicum instructors.
Professional Development Discount
Brown School practicum instructors receive a significant discount on most Professional Development workshops hosted at the Brown School.
Brown School Library Privileges
Practicum instructors receive free borrowing privileges at the Brown School Library, access to resources for evidence-based practice, and librarian assistance. We invite you to view our Community Accessible Resources. To receive a library card valid for the academic year, contact ope@wustl.edu.
Annual Practicum Instructor Appreciation Day
We gather each spring to celebrate and acknowledge your many contributions. Invitations will be sent via email. This event includes workshops and connections for practicum instructors.
Apply to Become a Practicum Instructor
Practicum instructors serve as key partners in education of social work, and social policy practitioners. To become an affiliated field instructor, please complete the following application. The application must be completed by the applicant or an agency representative. Students are not allowed to perform this function.
Unsure whether to apply as an MSW or MSP field instructor? Consult the Eligibility Requirements for Practicum Instructors chart above, or email ope@wustl.edu with questions.
Once the application is completed, the Office of Practicum Education will review it to ensure eligibility requirements are met and that the practicum provides a graduate-level field experience. If more information is needed, an Office of Practicum Education representative will reach out to you. If you are applying to be an MSW Practicum Instructor, you will be invited to a practicum instructor training upon approval.
Recruit a Practicum/Internship Student
When and how to recruit practicum students is vitally important to ensuring your organization is able to secure the right fit for your open position(s).
The recruiting period differs by program. The key here is taking advantage of the month(s) for which the student is needed.
Optimal Recruiting Timing – The “When”
When would you like students to begin practicum at your organization? Click on the link below for a backwards planning calendar that displays the optimal recruiting period relative to the start date.
- January (MSW Foundation, Advanced Standing)
- May-June (MPH, MSP, MSW Foundation or Concentration)
- August-September (MSW Concentration)
Experiential Learning Cloud-The “How”
Students search for practicum/internship opportunities and complete practicum assignments in Experiential Learning Cloud, Brown School’s Practicum Education database. Once your application for affiliation as a practicum instructor is completed and approved, you will receive log in instructions for Experiential Learning Cloud.
If you have difficulty registering your Experiential Learning Cloud account, or have questions related to practicum postings, please contact ope@wustl.edu.