MSW FAQs
The Practicum Education & Community Partnership (PE&CP) Office identifies and coordinates all practicum placements to ensure the best possible fit for the student’s professional growth and development. NYU Silver partners with more than 600 agencies in the tri-state area. If you are interested in an agency that does not currently partner with us, you can provide the contact information to PE&CP and we will evaluate the fit of the potential new agency.
During MSW students’ Generalist Practice (first) year, the focus is on generalist social work practice and students are placed accordingly by PE&CP. In the Specialized Practice (second year), the focus is on the student’s selected method of concentration and field of practice. At that time, students have the opportunity to indicate preferences and the PE&CP staff will coordinate a suitable placement that will facilitate the development of a specialized skill set.
Yes, provided that your social work practicum assignment is separate from your employment responsibilities and that the Practicum Instructor is different than your employment supervisor. This Practicum Instructor must be a licensed social worker with 2+ years of post-graduate experience and be SIFI credentialed or be eligible and willing to enroll in the 13-week Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) course (there is no charge for the course in this case).
Practicum schedules for MSW students vary across pathways.
For students who began their generalist practicum prior to Fall 2024:
Full-time students are in practicum 3 days/21 hours weekly during normal business hours.
Extended students in their first year may do 15 hours per week from Fall to Summer (3-semesters), and 21 hours during normal business hours in the second year (Fall and Spring semesters), and must be available at least one weekday.
Students in the 32-Month pathway do 13 practicum hours weekly and have the option to do evening/weekend placements, but must do 3 Practicum hours during normal business hours.
For students who begin practicum in Fall 2024 or later:
Full-time students are in practicum 2 days/15 hours weekly during normal business hours.
Extended students will also be in practicum 2 days/15 hours weekly during normal business hours.
- Hybrid MSW students are generally in practicum 28 hours weekly over two semesters at their place of employment. Some of the hours worked in their primary job can be counted towards their practicum placement.
- 32-Month MSW students complete 900 practicum hours (450 hours each academic year) at two different placement sites. Weekly practicum hours for students will be confirmed in Fall 2024.
The Practicum Instructor is the licensed social worker at the agency and who supervises your work. Practicum Instructors must have 2+ years of post-graduate experience and be SIFI credentialed or eligible to enroll in the SIFI course.
For MSW students, the Faculty Advisor is the instructor of the practicum education courses and the liaison between the student, agency, and the Office of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships.
In the MSW Program’s Generalist Practice (first) year a student’s Faculty Advisor is also their practice instructor. In the Specialized Practice (second) year, the student’s Faculty Advisor is different from their practice instructor.
Practicum placements are located a maximum of one hour from your place of residence.
No, practicum placements are not covered by student work study funds.
For students who began their generalist practicum prior to Fall 2024:
Two-Year and Extended MSW students complete 1,200 practicum hours (600 hours each academic year) at two different placement sites.
Advanced Standing and Transfer MSW students complete 600 practicum hours in the one academic year and placement site.
Hybrid MSW students complete 900 practicum hours at one placement site.
32-Month MSW students complete 1,100 hours (550 each academic year) at two different placement sites.
For students who begin their generalist practicum in Fall 2024 or later:
Two-Year, Extended, and 32-Month MSW students complete 900 practicum hours (450 hours each academic year) at two different placement sites.
Advanced Standing and Transfer MSW students complete 600 practicum hours in the one academic year and placement site.
Hybrid MSW students complete 900 practicum hours at one placement site.
Practicum placements are not paid. Stipends are unique and usually offered and coordinated by a selected group of agencies.