Student FAQ
Student FAQ
What is the key to a successful practicum internship?
There are several factors that promote a successful practicum internship. In particular, students and practicum instructors who begin the practicum internship with a positive attitude toward developing a solid supervisor-supervisee relationship often have a successful year experience. In addition, developing clear expectations and goals is integral to a successful practicum internship. The successful student also possesses a learner posture with high levels of professionalism, understands and applies ethical social work practice, uses good judgment, is open to feedback, and actively seeks new learning experiences. Additional characteristics contributing to student success include flexibility, openness to change, initiative, and the ability to work independently. Student practicum evaluations are completed collaboratively by student, practicum instructor, and practicum faculty liaison.
How are my internship referrals determined?
Students are assigned to their practicum internship in their Generalist Foundation Year through a practicum placement application and interview process where more is learned about social work related or other transferable skills. In the specialization year, students interview at two practicum agencies selected by the practicum faculty and are matched with the site that is a mutually good fit for student and agency. (See MSW Student Practicum Placement process in Chapter 4)
How many hours of internship are required?
Students are required to complete a minimum of 16 practicum hours per week (BSW, two-, three-, and four-year MSW program options (minimum 480 hours total per academic year)), or 20 hours per week (one- and two-year Advanced Standing and PPSC program options (minimum 600 hours total per academic year)). Specialization year students may be expected to complete 20 hours per week based on agency training and client needs. Students are also required to track their hours on the cohort specific Practicum Internship Time Log throughout the semester in InPlace and will be submitted at the end of each semester as verification of their completion of practicum hours. Internship days are usually scheduled on days when students do not attend classes on campus. Practicum days and hours are traditionally Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Students are required to complete at least one eight-hour internship day per week, and may inquire if the agency will allow the student to break up the other eight hours over two days. Lunch break is not included in the total internship hours and students’ daily practicum hours must be adjusted accordingly (i.e., total 8.5 hours if getting a half hour lunch break). Days and hours are ultimately arranged between the practicum instructor and student, and approved by the university practicum faculty. (See Practicum Attendance and Hours in Chapter 5)
Are there any special requirements before I start my practicum internship?
Yes. All students starting practicum internships will need to attend a practicum orientation which is to be held on the APU campus prior to beginning the academic year. In addition, students are to complete all practicum agency requirements such as background checks, paperwork, and/or health screenings. In some instances, the student is responsible for covering the costs of these pre-placement requirements. It is also the student’s responsibility to ensure that all the requirements are completed prior to beginning practicum internship. In addition, some agencies will require specific workshops or training to prepare to work with a specific client population. (See Practicum Education Placement Process and Requirements in Chapter 4)
If I am in the MSW part-time program, when do I start practicum internship?
MSW part-time students complete their generalist foundation year internship in the second year of their academic program. Specialization year internship begins in the students’ final year of the MSW program. (See Practicum Education Placement Process and Requirements in Chapter 4)
Are there evening and weekend internships available?
Weekend practicum internships are not allowed. Students are required to set aside weekdays, during traditional work hours (generally 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), to complete practicum internships. Some practicum placements may require early evening internship hours to accommodate clients' schedules. Practicum hours outside of typical business hours as a condition for placement must be approved by the APU practicum faculty to ensure proper supervision and safety protocols are in place for the student. (See Practicum Attendance and Hours in Chapter 5)
Are practicum internships paid?
Social work practicum internships are not paid labor or work. Practicum internship positions are not paid because internships are part of the BSW and MSW program course and degree requirements as student learners. On occasion, however, select agencies offer a nominal stipend or payment as part of the internship. Also, there are special programs by application only offering stipends. (See Social Work Practicum Education Program Stipend And Special Program Opportunities in Chapter 1)
How many internship hours may be used toward my specialization year capstone research project or generalist foundation macro project?
With agency practicum instructor approval, Specialization Year students may allocate up to 15% of their practicum hours to their Capstone research project, while Generalist Foundation Year students may allocate up to 20% of their practicum hours to their Macro Project. Please note that some practicum instructors may not approve using internship hours for macro or capstone research projects.
Are background checks required for students in internship?
Background checks and/or live scan fingerprinting may be required by some agencies. Please be aware that agencies may not assume the financial costs and it is therefore the responsibility of the student to incur all costs. (See Background Check in Chapter 4)
Am I required to go to internship on holidays or school breaks?
The University does not require students to complete practicum internship work during university observed holidays. However, the student and the Agency Practicum Instructor should determine if she/he will continue practicum internships during the holiday periods due to client service needs. Agency programs rely on their interns to help maintain client continuity of care. Please note, any additional hours accumulated during the APU winter break will not count towards the Fall or Spring hour requirement. Extended absences from social work interns could disrupt services and professional rapport with clients and constituents. With departmental support, students will be required to shorten their December break and return to practicum one week before classes resume in January (if required). The nature of the internship and the agency’s intern attendance policies will determine the student’s responsibility to the clients during these periods. Students are strongly encouraged to review the APU practicum education calendar and begin this dialogue with their practicum instructor from the beginning of the academic year. (See Attendance and Practicum Hours in Chapter 5)
Can I change my internship?
Students may not switch internships if they merely do not like where they have been assigned. Practicum internships and students are matched through an intentional selection process. On rare occasions, practicum internships do not work out for various reasons. In this event, the student and the practicum instructor should first meet about the issue, with a follow-up meeting with the practicum faculty. If the issue cannot be resolved, the Director of Practicum Education with practicum faculty feedback shall make the final decision on the student’s practicum internship status. Practicum faculty are committed to supporting students through any internship challenges that may arise to ensure successful completion.
What if I am unable to complete the minimum number of practicum hours during the semester?
Together with the agency practicum instructor and APU practicum faculty liaison, students monitor accrual of practicum hours for each semester. However, it is the ultimate responsibility of the student to track and record all accrued practicum hours each semester in the semester time log in InPlace with agency practicum instructor approval. At mid semester, the completion of hours will be examined also. If a student will be short in completing the minimum required practicum hours for the semester, then a practicum support plan is developed and implemented. The student may receive a grade of “Incomplete” for the semester with the expectation to complete the remaining hours within the agreed upon time as stated on the Incomplete Form submitted and approved by the course faculty and agency practicum instructor. (See Practicum Attendance and Hours in Chapter 5)
What is a floating holiday?
Students are often placed in community-based agencies that close on holidays that are not observed by the university. Therefore, students in practicum internships will be given two floating holidays per semester to offset the missed practicum days. With Practicum Instructor approval, students may utilize these floating holidays to make up for a regularly scheduled internship day in the event the agency is closed (due to a non-university holiday or other agency-related event) or due to illness. (See Floating Holidays in Chapter 5).
What happens if I have an excess of hours for the semester?
The social work intern and agency Practicum Instructor will develop a practicum schedule that meets the needs of the agency and client population served. The agency, student and practicum faculty liaison monitor the student’s accrual of hours towards the minimum requirement for each academic semester.
The minimum practicum internship hours requirement is that students complete a minimum of 400 hours (BSW students), 480 hours (two year, three, and four year MSW students) or 600 hours (MSW advanced standing and PPSC students) in the assigned agency during the academic year. This is the minimum standard. In many cases, students will exceed the minimum number of hours per semester. Students are expected to remain in practicum internship until the end of the semester (week 15) and will not reduce the number of hours at their internship site without the permission of the agency and either the BSW Practicum Education Coordinator or the Director of Practicum Education. Students are to be additionally reminded that the internship experience is an integral part of Social Work education and having the mindset of “just doing the time” can be detrimental to the entire learning experience. (See Practicum Attendance and Hours in Chapter 5)
Am I required to use my personal car?
Due to the current nature of practicum internship assignments, agencies may expect students to have access to an automobile for practicum-based client visits, commuting from multiple agency sites, and for community-based meetings. Students are never allowed to use their own vehicles to transport clients. However, students may be allowed to transport clients in agency vehicles if certain conditions are met, as outlined in the Transportation Waiver Form. Students are advised to meet with practicum faculty to discuss any transportation issues. (see Automobile Use & Transportation in Chapter 6)
What happens if I am ever dismissed from my internship?
In the event of a dismissal, the practicum faculty liaison should be notified immediately about this situation. The practicum faculty liaison will discuss with you and your practicum instructor the reason for the dismissal. In most cases, the student and practicum faculty liaison will meet with the BSW Practicum Coordinator (for BSW students) and/or Director of Practicum Education (for MSW students) to determine a course of action. (See Practicum Education Termination Procedures, Charges, Sanctions, and Appeal in Chapter 5)