All about the social work practicum
CAPS will not be offering a social work practicum for 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 applySocial 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.
Supervision
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.
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.