Social Work Practicum

All about the social work practicum

The social work practicum is a part-time clinical training program for graduate students in social work who have earned a bachelor of social work degree. The goal of the practicum is to provide students with the opportunity to work in a clinical setting under the supervision of a CAPS social worker.

The social work practicum offers the opportunity to provide individual counseling to CAPS clients. You will also have the opportunity to participate in outreach projects related to your interests. You will also gain experience working as part of an agency clinical team, working with mental health colleagues from a variety of disciplines.

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

Indiana University recognizes the importance of a diverse student body and of appropriate services for students. The Commission on Multicultural Understanding dates back to 1982 and has led the university's efforts to promote understanding and tolerance within the campus community. More recently, the post of Vice President for Student Development and Diversity and the Office of Academic Support and Diversity were founded as part of a recommitment of the university to selection, recruitment, retention, and graduation of Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans, and other underrepresented students. CAPS and the internship program likewise are committed to supporting these goals of the university.

By establishing and developing liaison relationships with campus offices and programs that support the diverse student body, CAPS builds bridges to traditionally underserved populations. Interns can participate in these liaison relationships, expand on current offerings, and develop new ones.

On the Bloomington campus, approximately 9 percent of students identify as African American, Native American, Asian American, or Hispanic. Among our CAPS clientele, nearly 13 percent identify as members of these populations. Approximately 7 percent of Bloomington students are from outside the United States. Approximately 5 percent 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.

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