Social Work Practicum

All about the social work practicum

CAPS has paused our internship and practicum programs for the 2023-24 and 2024-2025 years in order to improve the training experience. See below for general information about our programs. Please continue to check back for information regarding the 2025-26 training year. 

Who can apply

CAPS accepts a limited number of practicum students each year. Due to high demand, the CAPS social work practicum is available only to students who are enrolled in at least their second year of an accredited Master of Social Work program and who have completed at least one previous internship. Additional experience in social work is preferred.

To avoid conflicts of interest, CAPS will not accept any practicum student who has accessed CAPS services since April 15, 2010.

Learn how to apply

Social work practicum responsibilities

The practicum is structured to meet the guidelines of the Indiana University School of Social Work. The practicum is approximately 16 weeks each semester and follows the IU academic schedule. Students are expected to be on site 20 hours each week in addition to any supervision provided by their home departments.

Approximately two weeks before the fall semester begins, practicum students participate in a series of orientation activities.

Responsibilities include:

  • Clinical availability—6 to 7 hours per week (16-hour schedule) or 12 to 13 hours per week (20-hour schedule)
  • Multidisciplinary team meetings—1 hour per week
  • Individual supervision—1.5 hours per week
  • Group supervision—1.5 hours per week
  • Supervision preparation and administrative duties—3.5 hours per week (16-hour schedule) or 4.5 to 5.5 hours per week (20-hour schedule)

Diversity

IU’s commitment to making IU an environment in which students could feel safe and at home, regardless of race, age, religion, ability, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status dates back to 1982, with the establishment of The Commission on Multicultural Understanding. The post of The Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs was founded as part of a recommitment of the university to selection, recruitment, retention, and graduation of Latino, African American, Native American, and other underrepresented students. CAPS and the training program,likewise,are committed to supporting these goals of the university.

By establishing and developing Let’s Talk and embedded counseling at the cultural centers on campus and other departments that support the diverse student body, CAPS builds bridges to traditionally underserved populations.

Approximately 26% of students on the Bloomington campus identify as African American, Native American Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic/Latino. Among our CAPS clientele, nearly 38% identify as members of these populations. Approximately 10% of Bloomington students are from outside the United States. Approximately 5% of CAPS clients are international students.

How to apply

CAPS accepts a limited number of social work practicum students per year. Students are placed through their academic program. Talk to your program’s Director of Training for more information.