CAPS has paused our internship and practicum programs for the 2023-24 year in order to improve the training experience. See below for general information about our programs. Please continue to check back for information regarding the 2024-25 training year.
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 applyThe 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:
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.
All sessions facilitated by practicum students are recorded via webcam and reviewed in individual and group supervision. Some may also be reviewed by other CAPS senior staff. Weekly group supervision meetings are not recorded. All recordings are stored on a secure server within the Health Center and are erased at the end of the practicum.
Counseling and Psychological Services staff reserve the right to communicate with practicum clinicians’ academic departments regarding their performance at any time. Generally, this communication is limited to end-of-semester evaluations forwarded to the department. In the event of unprofessional conduct, CAPS staff may contact the department as it seems prudent.
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.
