How KU social work students benefit from practicum education

In his practicum placement at Astra Mental Health & Recovery, MSW student Miguel Rivera has gained experience in therapy sessions, group work, and admissions intake.

Rivera, a Master of Social Work student at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, spent the first part of his clinical specialization practicum shadowing professionals and seeing how things worked at a community mental health center. This spring, Rivera has been able to do more one-on-one work with clients and has helped co-facilitate sessions with clinicians.

“I’ve learned so many amazing things from my practicum instructor and the clinicians who are there,” Rivera said.

Completing a practicum – a required, for-credit social work internship – is a vital part of social work education at KU. Students gain real-world experience and receive one-to-one mentoring during their practicum placement.

Practicum sites include small and large nonprofits, hospitals and clinics, behavioral health centers, child welfare offices, residential settings, and schools. KU MSW students typically spend 16 hours each week at their practicum placement. Students in the Bachelor of Social Work program also complete a practicum during both semesters of their senior year.

Experienced social workers supervise and mentor students during their practicum placements, said Gary Lasley, associate director of practicum education.

“Students get the opportunity to take what they’re learning in their coursework and apply it in the profession,” Lasley said.

The real-world social services experience students gain in their practicum adds up. In 2024-2025, KU social work students contributed 156,364 service hours through their practicum placements, with an estimated economic impact of $1.63 million. Students contributed more than 108,400 service hours in Kansas.

KU MSW student Madi Perkins has spent the year in a practicum placement that is “exactly what I want to do in the future.” As a clinical intern at University Health in Kansas City, Perkins has helped provide counseling and primary care services for an LGBTQ+ specialty clinic. Perkins has appreciated the fast pace of working in a hospital setting, connecting clients to resources in the Kansas City area.

“It’s nice to be around people who are also very strengths-based and solution-focused – where it’s OK, you need this, I will get it for you,” Perkins said.

The Practicum Education Office at the KU School of Social Welfare provides financial support and training to students in practicum. That includes the Practicum Student Support Fund, a donor-driven effort to help offset costs such as gas, vehicle wear and tear, and professional clothing for students with unpaid practicum placements.

KU practicum staff also provide individual student practicum planning consultations, continuing education workshops, and social work licensure exam preparation.

The monetary value of practicum service is calculated using the average of wages for paid practicum placements reported to the KU School of Social Welfare by agency partners. For 2024-2025, the average reported wage was $15.03/hour.

Video by: Sean Collins and Naomi Sui Pang