Undergraduate Practicum Education
What is a Practicum?
All students in the BSW program must complete a practicum, which is a hands-on learning experience in a social work agency or school setting. It provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, values, and skills under the supervision of a qualified practicum instructor.
How does it work?
The Lehman College Department of Social Work matches students with practicum opportunities in the greater New York City area and neighboring counties. Practicum placements are arranged through the Practicum Education Office of the Social Work Department. Students are not permitted to find their own practicum placements.
Practicum Guidelines
- Undergraduate students in practicum placement spend 15 hours per week in the practicum and must complete a minimum of 450 hours per year.
- Practicum placement begins on the day after Labor Day each September and continues through mid-May, including the month of January.
- All undergraduate student assignments must include direct practice with individuals and, if possible, should include practice with families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Undergraduate students must have individual supervision for at least one hour per week.
Useful Documents for Undergraduate Social Work Students
- Undergraduate Student Handbook and Practicum Education Manual (PDF)
- Undergraduate Educational Plan (PDF)*
- Undergraduate Fall End of Semester Evaluation (PDF)*
- Undegraduate Spring End of Semester Evaluation (PDF)*
*NOTE: These forms are now required to be completed on SONIA (which is a student placement management software platform).
Undergraduate Practicum FAQs
During your first Fall semester in your second year, there will be a workshop regarding submission of the practicum application. The Practicum application is due on February 1st.
This depends on your agency, but tasks might include case management, direct practice, counseling, facilitating groups, and attending staff meetings or case conferences.
Lehman College has practicum placements in many different settings, i.e. schools, nursing homes, mental health clinics, community centers, etc. Lehman has many students placed in public school settings.
This type of arrangement is referred to as an employment-based placement. However, there are very specific guidelines that must be met before this type of placement can be approved by the Practicum Education Office. Please contact Professor Chun for information.
Students should be prepared to be fingerprinted, have a background check, drug screening, or a physical exam completed. If the agency does not cover the cost, students may incur a cost for this clearance process.
Contact Us
Director Of Practicum Education, Social Work
Assistant Director of Practicum Education, Social Work
