Practicum Education
Why Choose Wurzweiler for Practicum Education
Practicum education gives you the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while working with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Under the guidance of experienced, licensed social workers, you’ll develop assessment, intervention, advocacy, and professional practice skills while building the confidence needed for advanced social work practice.
800+ practicum sites across the U.S., Canada and Israel
1,200 supervised hours to integrate classroom learning with real-world practice
Partnerships with hundreds of community organizations
Opportunities to work with diverse populations across a wide range of practice settings
Faculty and practicum instructors committed to your professional growth
Personalized practicum placement support
Practicum Placement Settings Examples
Hospitals
Schools
Mental Health Centers
Community Agencies
Child Welfare
Substance Use Treatment Programs
Hospice & Palliative Care
Long-Term Care
Veterans Services
Jewish Communal Organizations
How Practicum Education Works
Placement Process
Your practicum journey begins with a personalized placement process. The Practicum Education Office works closely with you to identify a practicum placement that aligns with your academic goals, professional interests, geographic location, and program requirements.
Supervision & Support
Throughout your practicum, you’ll receive guidance from experienced practicum instructors and ongoing support from Wurzweiler faculty. Regular supervision helps you connect classroom learning with real-world practice.
Practicum Requirements
Practicum education is an integral part of the MSW curriculum. Students complete 1,200 supervised practicum hours over the course of the program, applying evidence-based social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Timeline
Practicum education begins after meeting program requirements and continues throughout the MSW curriculum. Placements are coordinated in advance of each practicum semester to ensure students are prepared to begin their practicum experience on schedule.
Practicum Requirements and Practicum Placement
Professional Preparation
Practicum education is an integral part of Wurzweiler’s CSWE-accredited MSW program, providing supervised practicum experience that prepares students for professional social work practice. Through hands-on learning, students apply classroom knowledge while developing the skills and confidence needed for licensure and practice.
Practicum Placement Location
With 800+ practicum placement sites across the United States, Canada, and Israel, students gain hands-on experience in a wide variety of practice settings. Wurzweiler’s Practicum Education Office works closely with each student to identify a placement that aligns with their professional interests, educational goals, and geographic location.
Important Practicum Student Resources
Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 Practicum Calendar (21-hours per week)
Fall 2026 – Summer 2027 Practicum Calendar (14-hours per week)
Summer – Fall 2026 – Practicum Calendar
Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 – Practicum Calendar
Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 (21 hrs per week) Practicum Calendar
Fall 2025 – Summer 2026 (14 hrs per week) Practicum Calendar
Agency Information Form
Frequently Asked Practicum Questions
Practicum education is a required component of the MSW program that allows students to apply classroom learning in real-world social work settings under professional supervision.
Practicum placements begin after students meet program and academic requirements. The Practicum Education Office coordinates placements in advance to ensure students are prepared for their practicum experience.
The Practicum Education Office works closely with each student to identify a placement that aligns with their academic goals, professional interests, program requirements, and geographic location.
MSW students complete 1,200 hours of supervised practicum education, gaining hands-on experience in professional social work practice.
Students complete practicum placements at 800+ partner organizations across the United States, Canada, and Israel, including hospitals, schools, mental health centers, community agencies, child welfare organizations, hospice programs, and substance use treatment facilities.
Yes. Students receive regular supervision from experienced, licensed social workers and ongoing support from Wurzweiler faculty throughout their practicum experience.
Yes. Wurzweiler partners with organizations across the United States, Canada, and Israel and works with students to identify placements that meet both educational requirements and geographic needs whenever possible.
In some cases, current employment may be considered for practicum placement if it meets the educational objectives and practicum education requirements. Each request is reviewed individually by the Practicum Education Office.
Students gain experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, behavioral health clinics, schools, child and family service agencies, long-term care facilities, hospice and palliative care organizations, substance use treatment programs, community organizations, and government agencies.
The Wurzweiler Practicum Education Office is available to answer questions about practicum placements, practicum requirements, and the placement process. wsswpracticum@yu.edu
