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Practicum Education

Gain real-world experience serving diverse communities while developing clinical skills, ethical leadership and a commitment to social justice.

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Social Work

At Cal State Monterey Bay, you do more than study social work — you practice it.

From early in the MSW program, your education is built around hands-on learning that takes you out of the classroom and into the community.

Your practicum is where you put knowledge into action. Over 960 hours of supervised fieldwork, you will meet clients, support families, work with groups and engage with organizations. You will be practicing on the job while still a student, learning how to navigate real-world challenges with guidance from experienced faculty and agency mentors.

This model of learning by doing ensures you are never on your own. With close supervision by a qualified MSW social worker and weekly feedback, you gain the confidence to step into complex situations while knowing you have the 

support of experts behind you. By applying your skills in the field while you study, you build the foundation for a professional identity rooted in service, advocacy and leadership.

Practicum Requirements

All students are required to complete four practicum courses listed below, along with tracking their practicum education hours and requirements online through CalState S4. Please reference the Practicum Manual and/or the Practicum Calendar for additional requirements.

  • SW 596 - Foundation Practicum I
  • SW 598 - Foundation Practicum II
  • SW 696 - Advanced Practicum I
  • SW 698 - Advanced Practicum II

For Potential Agencies

Are you interested in contributing to the social work profession by mentoring the next generation of social workers? Would you enjoy supporting and training future social workers?

If so, we would like to extend an invitation to become an ally in MSW Practicum Education.

Contact the Department of Social Work at mswfield@csumb.edu to initiate the process and become an approved agency.

Resources

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Learn by Doing

With 960 practicum hours built into your MSW, you gain real-world experience from day one. You’ll apply what you learn in class to serve clients and communities, building confidence with every step.

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Step-By-Step Growth

First-year placements focus on the foundations of professional practice, while second-year placements prepare you for advanced clinical and community work. Get the skills needed to serve with impact.

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Guided Every Step of the Way

You’ll work with a faculty practicum liaison and an agency instructor who will provide weekly supervision and ongoing feedback. This one-on-one support ensures you always have expert guidance in the field.

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From Fieldwork to Your Future

Your practicum site could be a school, health clinic, behavioral health center or nonprofit agency. Build the professional network and real-world skills that can lead to future job opportunities.