MSW Practicum Information & Forms

MSW Practicum Forms

Appendix A

These forms are being reviewed, revamped, and will be returned when they are ready to use! Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

2025-2026 MSW Practicum Manual

MSW Placement Process

The following steps will be followed in the order listed for all placements.
 
  1. Students submit the Practicum Education Application form for admission to the practicum education program by the stated deadline. The application requires the student to disclose anything that may affect placements including, but not limited to, requiring special needs for accommodations, having a history with potential placement sites, having motor vehicle violations other than non-moving violations, having an occupational license revocation or surrender, being registered as a sex offender, being named on Federal government debarment list, having a criminal history, and presently abusing or being dependent on substances. This information is used only for placement purposes.
  2. MSW students schedule a pre-placement interview with the MSW Practicum Education Coordinator. The purposes of this interview are to:
  • discuss placement opportunities,
  • discuss the types of placements that best meet the student’s educational needs, and
  • address individual issues related to potential placements including special accommodations, employment-based practicum, proscriptions, etc. Students are expected to read the MSW Practicum Manual section of the MSW Program Handbook prior to this interview.
 3. The MSW Practicum Education Coordinator makes referrals for placement. Students are asked not to contact agencies without prior approval by the MSW Practicum Education Coordinator. Agencies are also expected to adhere to this protocol to assure equal opportunity for all students.
 4. After receiving a referral, the student schedules a placement interview. Placement sites may require submission of a resume before scheduling the interview. The interview is viewed as a mutual assessment process addressing some or all of the following:
 
  • the student’s career goals,
  • the student’s expectations for a practicum,
  • the student’s strengths and weaknesses as pertinent to the placement,
  • the kinds of experiences the agency can offer relevant to the learning expectations of the practicum course,
  • the agency’s expectations of the student,
  • the frequency and format for supervision,work schedule, and
  • additional independent learning that will be required by the agency
 5. Following the interview, the student and the agency email the MSW Practicum Education Coordinator indicating the party’s interest in the placement. The MSW Practicum Education Coordinator notifies the parties of the decision.
 6. Students may be required to complete physical and background checks as a prerequisite of acceptance by a placement organization. For example, agencies may request immunization records, check fingerprints, review driving records, check federal debarment lists, and check child and sexual abuse registries. Some agencies may refuse to accept the student based on findings, a student’s refusal to agree to the check, or a student’s failure to obtain immunizations required by agency policy.
 7. Accepted students contact their practicum instructors to establish the date and time to begin practicum placement activities. Starting dates may begin after the MSW Practicum Orientation and Training.
 8. The Affiliation Agreement between the University and the agency must be signed before the practicum placement can begin.
 9. The student provides the practicum instructor with a copy of the course syllabus for that semester on the first day of the placement.
 10. The student and the practicum instructor begin developing the learning contract immediately by establishing a work schedule as the first element of the contract.


Potential Practicum Placements

Anchorage & Mat-Su Area

Distance