Learning, Leadership and Professional Growth
Practicum education is where learning comes to life.
At Bridgewater State University, students extend their learning beyond the classroom through carefully selected practicum experiences that foster growth, exploration, and professional development. As students engage in practice, they develop new skills, strengthen their confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of the many roles social workers play in supporting individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
As the signature pedagogy of social work education, practicum education bridges classroom learning and professional practice. Through supervision, reflection, and hands-on experiences, students develop professional competencies, integrate social work values and ethics into practice, and strengthen their professional identity as emerging social workers.”
Social Work Handbook and Practicum Education Manuals
Bachelor of Social Work Student Handbook & Practicum Education Manual (pdf)
Master of Social Work Student Handbook & Practicum Education Manual (pdf)
Generalist and Specialized Practicum Learning
Practicum education is designed to support students' development as social workers over time, with learning experiences that build in complexity and depth as students progress through their education.
Accordion Content
BSW students in their senior year and MSW students in their Generalist Year complete practicum experiences that build a strong foundation in social work practice. Students learn to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities while developing core social work competencies grounded in ethics, professional behavior, cultural responsiveness, critical thinking, advocacy, and social justice.
Through these experiences, students:
- Apply classroom learning in real-world settings
- Develop foundational practice skills
- Build professional confidence and judgment
- Learn from supervision and mentorship
- Explore a range of social work roles and practice settings
- Develop their professional identity as emerging social workers
Hours: 464 — 16 hours a week
Focus: Generalist Social Work Skills
Supervisor Requirements: BSW/MSW (2 years post-grad), one hour a week of clinical supervision
MSW students complete an advanced Specialized Practicum designed to build upon their generalist foundation and deepen professional knowledge and skills. Students take on increasingly complex responsibilities and develop advanced competencies through practice, supervision, reflection, and seminar learning.
Specialized practicum experiences emphasize:
- Advanced assessment and intervention skills
- Trauma-informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practice
- Leadership and professional decision-making
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Policy and systems thinking
- Program development and evaluation
- Culturally responsive practice with diverse populations
Hours: 600 (minimum) — 20-24 hours a week
Focus: Advanced Practice, Leadership, Systems Thinking
Supervisor Requirements: MSW (2 years post-grad), one hour a week of MSW supervision