University of South Carolina Practicum Education Office
Becoming a Practicum Instructor
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Practicum Instructor at the University of South Carolina, College of Social Work. As a Practicum Instructor, you will provide one-on-one mentoring and coaching to students, helping them to translate classroom learning into real-world practice. This landing page serves to provide you with all of the documents you need to get the process started.
Agency Requirements
1. Affiliation Agreement. Our partner organizations make crucial and invaluable contributions to our students’ professional development by bridging the gap between classroom and practice, and through demonstrating the impact of social workers. The University requires that the COSW maintain affiliation agreements for the practice of interns with our community practicum partners to ensure that our students are covered by the University’s liability insurance coverage. Please have the attached agreement reviewed and signed by the appropriate organizational representative then return it so we obtain the required University signatures and approvals.
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2. Agency Application. The College requires new practicums organizations to complete this form to evaluate the potential practicum tasks, experiences, and organizational environment so that we may establish the benefit of this practicum to our accrediting body the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This form can be completed online at https://redcap.link/FieldOrgApp.
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3. Interest in Hosting Students Form. This form is where new practicum organizations identify their willingness and capacity to host interns. On this form, please identify the degree level(s) and number of students you are willing to host, as well as any onboarding requirements for our office and students to be aware of. This form can be completed online at https://redcap.link/24-25InterestInStudents
Practicum Instructor / Task Supervisor Requirements
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Experienced social workers who have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Social Work degree are welcome to apply to provide mentorship. You must have paid experience on a full-time basis in an organization that provides services, protects or advocates for vulnerable populations. In addition, you must meet Practicum Instructor criteria set by the Council on Social Work Education. To serve as a Practicum Instructor for the MSW program, you must also be a graduate of an accredited school of social work, hold a Master of Social Work degree and have two years of post-graduate professional experience. Please complete and return along with a copy of your updated resume/CV. Practicum Instructors are required to also submit verification of their B/MSW degree, as required by CSWE. For degree verification, our office will accept a picture of your B/MSW degree, a copy of your social work licensure, or official transcripts.
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Task Supervisors are individuals within the agency who provide guidance in daily activities to students but are not serving as a Practicum Instructor. Task Supervisors are not required to have a Social Work degree, nor are they required to give formal supervision to students. Rather, Task Supervisors support students' learning through informal supervision and assistance with daily tasks. Please note that for Task Supervisors, some information may not apply, and it is okay to leave those portions blank.
Practicum Instructors are required to complete a First Year Practicum Instructor Training. You will be required to attend a two and a half hour training. We will offer two before the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. If you are interested in attending, please email coswfld@mailbox.sc.edu to sign up.
Contact Us
Avril Lail, LMSW
Interim Director of Field Education
