BSW – Practicum Courses and Application Process

Practicum I is designed to introduce students to a wide array of social services provided in a community. This Practicum is intended to familiarize students with the issues, complexities and impacts of providing and facilitating services at individual, family, group, organization, and community levels, and to deepen students’ abilities to apply critical thinking skills in practice. Practicum I provides students with opportunities to develop entry-level practice skills and knowledge, such as engagement and rapport building, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination. Practicum I is also an opportunity for students to begin to develop a professional identity, applying core social work values in practice and using critical self-reflection.

The specific knowledge and skill objectives of Practicum I are:

• To understand the social services sector in a community, and the role of the field placement setting in the community (i.e., mandate, philosophy, funding and organizational structure, services and programs).
• To identify the ethical principles and core values that guide social work practice and apply the ethical principles and values in practice situations.
• To evaluate one’s own values and life experience and to recognize how these influence practice.
• To recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power, with specific attention to issues of race, class, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, religion and culture.
• To understand the relationship between personal issues and social, political and economic processes and structures.
• To identify and demonstrate sensitivity to issues of power at all levels (at the level of the social work relationship, organizational level, community level, and societal level).
• To identify different models of social work practice.
• To demonstrate entry-level social work skills, such as engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, termination and evaluation.
• To identify the research and policy issues that affect practice.
• To demonstrate initiative and responsibility for own learning.
• To use supervision and consultation.
• To demonstrate professional demeanour in behaviour, appearance, and communication.

Practicum II is designed to build upon the knowledge and skills that students developed in their third-year placement. Practicum II provides an opportunity for students to apply, test, develop and integrate knowledge, theory and skills for social work practice in one or more of the following areas: practice with individuals, families, groups and communities; research; social administration and policy. In field placements in Practicum II, students take on greater responsibility in providing services.

The specific knowledge and skill objectives of Practicum II are:

• To describe the agency’s mandate, philosophy, funding and organizational structure, services and programs.
• To facilitate effective referrals and collaborations within the social services sector and community.
• To use the CASW Code of Ethics (2005), appropriate consultation, and relevant laws, regulations and literature to guide ethical decision making.
• To engage in self-reflection and use critical thinking skills necessary for accountable and effective practice.
• To recognize the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination, with particular understanding of systems of oppression involving race, class, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, religion and culture.
• To recognize the importance of difference in shaping life experience.
• To identify social work interventions and how they are shaped by the personal, social, cultural, and institutional context.
• To form mutual and purposeful relationships with others from diverse populations.
• To use multiple perspectives to analyze client’s strengths and problems.
• To review professional literature and use research methods to inform practice.
• To identify research questions and policy issues that emerge from practice.
• To evaluate agency programs and/or practices in relation to client needs.
• To apply advocacy and social change strategies and practices to advance social and economic justice.
• To demonstrate commitment to professional development and growth.
• To engage in self-directed learning.

Students admitted into the BSW program who have a minimum of three years (4500 hours) of full-time human service work experience within the past five years may apply for a waiver of the requirement of Practicum I (SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601). If successful, they will be granted 1.0 elective credit in Social Work and will be required to take 1.0 additional elective credit in Social Work in lieu of Practicum I.  There is no waiver option for Practicum II.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A minimum of 4500 hours of human services work experience within the past five years, of which a maximum of 500 hours may include unpaid or volunteer work. Unpaid experience does not include practicum hours undertaken in a previous education program.
• A completed application, prepared by the student, which identifies how the student’s specific work experiences have enabled them to acquire and achieve the learning objectives of Practicum I.
• A minimum of three references from direct supervisors that confirm the student has attained 4500 hours of relevant work experience. Students must also demonstrate that they have received direct social work supervision as part of their human services work experience (i.e., direct supervision from a person who has a BSW or MSW degree from an accredited School of Social Work).

Definition of Human Services Experience:

Human service is defined as providing social work related services to individuals, families, groups or communities. This could include 1) working with people in educational, correctional, social service agencies, health or recreational settings; 2) group and community participation and leadership; and 3) social change activities such as advocacy, research, education and social action.

Application Process:

To apply for a Waiver of Practicum I (SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601), students must complete the Paid Work History Form(s) and/or Unpaid Work History Form(s), as applicable for each position, which outlines how the student has achieved the learning objectives for Practicum I. In these forms, students must include the following information:

• Upload a current resume that includes agencies/organizations names, dates of employment, job titles and descriptions for social service related positions
• Submit relevant work-related references from a minimum of three individuals who have directly supervised you in the past five years, and who can confirm that you have attained 4500 hours of relevant human services experience. One of the student’s referees (direct supervisor) must possess a BSW or MSW degree from an accredited School of Social Work.

Applications will only be considered if all required documentation has been submitted in full to the Practicum Administrator through the above forms (Paid Work History Form and/or Unpaid Work History Form).

The BSW Practicum Coordinator will review the application and the student will be informed in writing of the decision regarding their eligibility for waiver of the requirement of SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601 within 30 days. Students have the right to appeal the decision to the Undergraduate Program Supervisor. Contact information for both can be found on the Our People webpage.

Important Considerations Following Application Submission/Waiver Decision:

Eligible students that wish to submit an Application for Waiver of Practicum I are encouraged to do so a minimum of two months prior to the Practicum course application deadlines. This provides time for the student to prepare for and submit an application for a Practicum I course if they are deemed ineligible for a waiver. Practicum applications submitted after the established deadlines may not be considered.

If a student is deemed ineligible for a waiver, the student can subsequently apply for SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601 by completing the required practicum application by the noted Application Deadline.

Suggested deadlines for submitting an Application for Waiver of Practicum I:

This is the most common option by students. This is where the Practicum Coordinators will review your application and resume and find a placement for you.

In exceptional circumstances, the School is open to the establishment of placements outside of the City of Ottawa and surrounding regions; however these placements can only be established when the student can be adequately accommodated and supported at a distance within the limited resources of the School. Distance placements constitute any placement that is more than a one-hour drive from Ottawa, and include out of province and out of country placements.

Distance placements can provide an enriching experience for certain students, enabling them to develop their knowledge of the social services sector and develop a professional network in another region. Distance placements may also provide opportunities for useful comparative studies for students, sometimes enriched by the experience of living in a different setting. However, students must demonstrate that they are well prepared for a distance placement, and the Practicum Coordinator must be able to assess the student’s ability to benefit from a distance educational experience, including the suitability of the potential field setting for a social work placement.

Deadlines for Distance Placement Proposals are firm and noted with the other Application Deadline information.

Criteria for eligibility for a distance placement:

Distance placements will only be considered for students at the fourth-year level who have met all of the prerequisites for Practicum II. Students must submit a two-part distance placement application for a placement within Canada, and a three-part distance placement application for an international placement.

The following criteria will be considered when reviewing distance placement applications for BSW students:

Student Criteria:

• Maturity of student and demonstrated ability to follow-through.
• High level of self-direction, initiative, clarity of purpose.
• Good academic standing.
• Strength of proposal.
• Strong previous placement evaluation if the student completed Practicum I.
• Appropriate rationale for a distance placement.
• Learning needs could be better met at a distance than locally.
• Consideration of financial needs of student/financial issues related to placement.
• Consideration of a student’s future employment possibilities.
• The student’s ability to participate in teleconference, email and telephone communication with a Faculty Liaison at Carleton University (this will require access to a computer with a microphone and may require a USB headset, for which the student would assume financial responsibility).

Agency Criteria:

• The setting must be committed to the roles and responsibilities of a field setting, such as providing the student with appropriate work assignments and a qualified Field Supervisor for the duration of the placement.
• The placement must provide the student with adequate opportunities to achieve the learning objectives of Practicum II.
• The Field Supervisor must be committed to the roles and responsibilities of a Field Supervisor, such as providing a minimum of one hour of regular weekly supervision, consulting with the Faculty Liaison, completing the Mid-Point and End-Point Evaluation Forms, and facilitating evaluation conferences with the student.

Health and Safety risks, responsibilities and liability will also be reviewed when considering distance placement applications.

Distance Placement Application and Proposal:

Part I

The student must submit Part I of their distance placement proposal along with a completed Practicum Application Form, and copy of their resume, to the Practicum Coordinator by the appropriate deadlines (i.e., two months in advance of the regular Practicum application deadlines).

In Part I of the distance placement proposal, students should provide the following:

• Rationale for wanting to do a distance placement.
• The geographical location in which they would like to secure a field placement.
• Their learning objectives for their placement.
• A short list of potential practicum agencies, if known at the time of application.

Once the student has submitted the above documents, they should book an individual meeting with the Practicum Coordinator to discuss their interest in a distance placement.

Part II

The student must submit Part II of the distance placement proposal by the deadline noted with the other Application Deadline information.

Part III is also required for students applying for international placements.

In Part II of the distance placement proposal, students will be asked to provide the following information:

• An outline of a possible field placement, providing the following: the agency name and contact information (i.e., address, phone number, website); an overview of the agency’s mandate, programs and services; the field placement opportunity.
• An outline of how the placement will meet the student’s learning objectives.
• The name and contact information of the Field Supervisor who would supervise the student and confirmation of their credentials (i.e., BSW or MSW).
• Information on plans for student health insurance coverage* when outside province of current residence.

Part III

This section is only required for international placements only.

In Part III of the distance placement proposal, students should provide the following:

• Outline what cultural/international orientation the student will participate in prior to departure in order to prepare for the cultural differences and who will provide this orientation (e.g., Carleton University International Student Services Office provides a one-day orientation in early April each year).
• Address the issue of reciprocity given possible language limitations, the historical context of social work in that country, and how to make a contribution in a culturally meaningful manner.
• Identify how the student will finance the international placement experience (The School does not have the institutional means to help students finance an international placement. It is the responsibility of the student to explore financial options).
• Provide a risk assessment (i.e., potential safety concerns) of the environment where the student will be working.
• Address health and insurance coverage.*
• Sign a Carleton University Assumption of Risks, Responsibility and Liability Waiver. Available on the International Students Services Office (ISSO) website.

* The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities provides limited private insurance coverage (through Chubb Insurance) for students in unpaid field placements which the School has approved to take place outside of Ontario (international and other Canadian jurisdictions). However, the student is advised to obtain complementary insurance since Chubb Insurance does not provide full compensation.  This private insurance is an accidental death/injury policy, and does not cover many healthcare benefits, so students should have additional health insurance. Information on the Ministry provided insurance coverage for students in unpaid placements is available at:  http://tcu.gov.on.ca/pepg/publications/guidelines.html#03

Field placement arrangements in a student’s place of employment may be possible in exceptional circumstances. Generally, field placements in the student’s place of employment are approved only when, at a minimum, the student is placed in a site or program distinct from their usual work site and the Field Supervisor is not the student’s work supervisor. These criteria are necessary to uphold the educational focus that is fundamental to field placements. The field placement may be paid or unpaid.  In either case, this requires a clear delineation between the student and employee roles.

Students must submit an application for a placement in their place of employment by the deadline noted with the other Application Deadline information.

Cautions:

• The student’s learning needs may be minimized in the interest of meeting agency priorities.
• The student’s ability to think critically about the agency (e.g., mandate, administrative structure, policies, service delivery) may be constrained by the student’s concerns about critiquing the organization in which they are employed.
• A negative evaluation of the student’s field placement performance may jeopardize their employee status.
• Issues related to managing conflicts and disputes at the workplace may create tension for the student.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The organization must meet the criteria for a field setting outlined in this manual.
• The student’s placement assignments and workload must be substantively different from their responsibilities as an employee.
• The student is located in a different work unit or department.
• The student must be assigned a qualified Field Supervisor, who is a different individual than the student’s work supervisor.
• The Field Supervisor must be committed to the roles and responsibilities of a Field Supervisor, such as providing a minimum of one hour of regular weekly supervision, consulting with the Faculty Liaison, completing the Mid-Point and End-Point Evaluation Forms, and facilitating evaluation conferences with the student.
• The student is discharged, during placement hours, from any encumbrances and duties associated with regular employment.
• There is clear understanding among all agency personnel that the primary focus of the placement is education/learning.

Placement in the Place of Employment Application and Proposal:

The student must submit a proposal for a placement in their place of employment, along with a completed Practicum Application Form and a copy of their resume, to the Practicum Coordinator by the deadlines noted with the other Application Deadline information.

In the proposal for a placement in their place of employment, students should provide the following:

• A summary of the student’s roles and responsibilities as an employee in the current work setting.
• The name and contact information of the student’s current employment supervisor.
• A summary of the proposed field placement, including specific learning objectives, goals and activities to be undertaken.
• The name and contact information of the potential Field Supervisor, and confirmation of their credentials (i.e., BSW or MSW).
• An outline, developed in collaboration with the agency, of how the student and the Field Supervisor will ensure that the student’s learning remains a priority throughout the field placement.
• An outline of how difficulties will be addressed should they arise during the field placement.
• A signed Letter of Agreement from the agency assuring the student’s educational needs will be met (i.e., the Field Supervisor will be granted sufficient time and resources within the work schedule for educational supervision, and the student will be released from duties as an employee in order to fulfil the requirements of the learning contract).

The Practicum Coordinator will make a decision based on the criteria outlined in this section.

In general, the field placement is an unpaid educational experience and students are not entitled to receive wages or salaries for time spent in placement. Any other arrangement must be brought forward to the Practicum Coordinator and approved in advance. Conditions for approval include clear recognition of the placement requirements by all members of the field team and a primary focus on the student’s education/learning for the duration of the field placement.

Students must apply to take a Practicum Course by submitting a practicum application through mySuccess deadlines posted here.

Due to large number of students in field each semester, the practicum application deadlines are firm.   Applications that are submitted after the deadline may not be considered and can also delay placement in an appropriate agency, and therefore, the student’s completion of the BSW degree program. Students may turn in their Practicum Application Form prior to the deadlines posted and are encouraged to do so.

Students are asked to list their areas of interest for a field placement on the Practicum Application Form. Students should consider the following when listing their preferences:

• Population group: i.e., children, youth, adults, women, families, older adults, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, etc.
• Level of practice: i.e., direct intervention, social administration and policy, research.
• Areas of concentration: i.e., mental health, addictions, anti-violence, disabilities, poverty and homelessness, housing, criminal justice, immigration, child welfare, long-term care, employment, recreation, community development, etc.
• Specific agencies of interest with the understanding that placements in these agencies may or may not be possible to accommodate.

Submitting a Practicum Application Form does not mean the student has secured a placement, nor does it mean that the student is officially registered for a Practicum Course. The Practicum Application Form is there to signal that the student intends to register for the Practicum in the upcoming semester and has reviewed and met all prerequisites.

It is the student’s responsibility to have the necessary police record check completed in advance of the field placement. In Ontario, there are provincial laws that require organizations to conduct police records checks for individuals who will be dealing with children and vulnerable adults as part of their recruitment responsibilities. This police record check is required even if students have had a recent police records check completed for some other purpose. Students must apply in person by attending any of the major police stations. The possible existence of criminal convictions and outstanding charges, as well as incidents of all notable police contacts for at least the previous five years, will be considered for release. A criminal record may delay or prohibit certain field placements. Obtaining a police records check can take 6 to 8 weeks or longer so students must apply for this well in advance of the beginning of the field placement. Students will be prohibited from beginning their field placement if they fail to provide a police records check to field settings where this is required.

In Ontario, provincial laws require organizations to conduct police record checks for individuals who will be dealing with children and vulnerable adults. The Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Check is required, even if students have had a recent police record check completed for some other purpose.

Students can apply online or in person in Ottawa or their primary place of residence, by attending any main police station. For more information on in-person and online applications, please go to: https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/reports-and-requests/record-and-background-checks.aspx

The information released by the police as part of the record check might include existence of criminal convictions, outstanding charges, as well as any incident where there has been notable police contacts for at least the previous five years. If any such information is revealed on the police record check it may be difficult, if not impossible, for you to secure a practicum.

Please note that if you are not from Ottawa, your process will be different. 

In certain field settings, students may be required to provide documentation confirming immunization or demonstrated immunity to the certain communicable diseases prior to entry into the setting.  Required immunizations generally include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• Rubella
• Measles
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella/Chicken Pox
• Tuberculin Mantoux Screening

It is important that students make appropriate arrangements with regard to supplying the field setting with the required documentation in advance of the field placement.

In the event of a pandemic, the impact for practicum students in health settings may vary but a likely effect would be that the student’s learning contract may be suspended and the student may be re-assigned to different areas. The priorities in the health settings would likely shift and student’s learning objectives might become low priority. In this event it would be important for the Faculty Liaison to work closely with the student regarding arrangements and looking at ways of dealing with this crisis as a useful learning experience for the student.

There are several steps that students must follow to register for a practicum course and secure a setting for their practicum learning. Incompletion or lateness in any of these steps can result in a practicum application being placed on hold and/or cancelled. Cancellation of a practicum application can have the impact of delaying and/or annulling the completion of the social work degree. 

1. Request enrollment in the applicable social work course on Carleton’s mySuccess portal. 
   1. Log into mySuccess using your MC1 credentials.
   2. Select “School of Social Work” from the left-hand navigation bar.
   3. Click on “View” under “Courses/Programs.”
   4. Choose the applicable practicum course and select “Apply.”
   5. Check off “Enrol” and click “Save.” The Practicum Administrator will need to approve your enrollment before you can move on to the application process. Please note that it may take a few days to process your enrollment request.
2. Attend the mandatory practicum orientation provided by the Practicum Coordinator at the start of the term prior to when you will be registering for your practicum course. See upcoming orientation dates here.
3. Attend and participate in the Agency Fair to learn more about different practicum settings and organizations in the community. Attendance at the Agency Fair is mandatory for students registering for practicum in the following term. All students are welcome to attend at any point in their degree. See upcoming Agency Fair dates here.
4. Complete and submit the practicum application by the established deadline (Step 1 in the applicable course on mySuccess).
5. Attend the mandatory Career Services Resume and Cover Letter Workshop to learn how best to prepare these documents for a potential practicum agency. See upcoming workshop dates here.
6. For students applying for a workplace or distance practicum only: Complete and submit the workplace or distance practicum proposal by the established deadline (Steps 2 and/or 3 in the applicable course on mySuccess).
7. Review your practicum match when prompted by e-mail (available under “Your Placement (Match) Details” on mySuccess). Once the match has been offered, students will have 72 working hours to accept or decline the match. 
8. Accept/decline the match. When accepting, submit a tailored cover letter and résumé within 72 working hours of match offer (“Application to Placement Match” on mySuccess).
9. Communicate whether you were invited to an interview, along with the interview date, on mySuccess (“Scheduling of Placement Interview). Contact the Practicum Coordinator by e-mail if the organization has not made contact within ten working days or has communicated a refusal of the application.
10. Prepare for interview and for sharing of references.
11. Communicate placement offer or refusal to Practicum Coordinator by e-mail. 
12. Once instructed by the Practicum Administrator via email, complete the Practicum Agreement (mySuccess final step) and insurance documentation.
13. Inquire about and ensure that all pre-placement requirements (e.g. criminal records check, health-related requirements, training, etc.) are met in advance of the field placement. 
14. Register for appropriate practicum course and section, once instructed by e-mail. This is typically completed two to three weeks prior to the start of term.