VAC Practicum Placement Form

Welcome to the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work! 

In order for you to be placed in an MSW internship, you will need to complete and submit this entire form. It is expected that you will complete this form within five days of receiving your intent to enroll form during the admissions process. Your intent to enroll/enrollment confirmation form (including Practicum Education Contract and Background and Clearance Form), commitment deposit, and this placement form are required to secure your place in the upcoming class.  Your practicum placement may be delayed and your ability to ultimately graduate with your cohort may be negatively impacted if you do not complete this form in a timely manner.


If you have any further questions, please contact vacpracticum@usc.edu.  Most email inquiries will receive a response within 24 -  48 hours (M-F during normal business hours).

 

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Personal Information

Geographic proximity between your address during the academic year and your internship location is an important consideration in the placement process.  For this reason, the Practicum Placement Team does not begin the placement process until you have provided your full address. Failure to provide your full address in a timely manner may result in a delay to the start of your placement. 

Emergency Contact

Language Fluency

Transportation

Substantial travel (typically within 30 miles) may be required to your practicum placement site on a reoccurring basis.  If you anticipate transportation challenges, please explain why. Keep in mind that any travel limitations may affect the placement options available to you, create significant delays in placement, and impact your ability to graduate with your cohort.



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Military Affiliation

Education Summary

Work Experience

Please list and briefly describe previous experience (volunteer and paid) related to social work. The information requested below will assist in the planning of your practicum assignment. Please be prepared to provide a current copy of your resume at the end of this form. Your resume will be shared with potential placement site.

Practicum Placement Schedule


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Placement Considerations

The following is a list of populations and clinical issues that you may be working with during your practicum placement: adolescents, adult women, adult men, children and families, older adults, AIDS/HIV, Alzheimer's, cancer, child abuse, child and family protective services, corrections/criminal, developmental disabilities, domestic violence, emotionally disturbed children and/or adolescents, family service, LGBT, health/medical, homelessness, juvenile delinquency, mental health, public social services, severe mental illness, social work in schools, substance abuse and veterans.


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Program Focus


Optional Track Selection

Adult Mental Health & Wellness (AMHW)   

In the Adult Mental Health and Wellness track, you will be prepared to work directly with clients aged 18 and older, including older adults. Course topics include wellness, recovery and integrated care; explanatory theories of health and mental health; and advanced practice with complex social work cases.

 

Children, Youth and Families (CYF) 

The Children, Youth and Families track prepares you to work directly with children, parents and families both individually and in groups. Your education will span research and critical analysis for social work with children and families; social work practice with children and families in early and middle childhood; social work practice with adolescents, young adults and their families; and policy and macro practice in child, youth and family services.

 

Social Change and Innovation Track (SCI)

As an online MSW student in the Social Change and Innovation track, you will be prepared to become a social work leader at the policy level. Your education experience will include research and evaluation for community, organization and business environments; management and organizational development for social workers; social work practice in workplace settings; policy advocacy and social change; community practice; and grant writing and program development.

 

Military Populations & Settings (MPS)

The online MSW Military Populations & Settings track prepares you to address the unique challenges facing service members, veterans and their families. Particular areas of focus include post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, reintegration and crisis intervention.

 

School & Education Settings (SES)

Offered to California residents only, the School & Education Settings track prepares you to work with Pre-K–12 students in public and private schools across the state. You’ll learn to address problems that affect students’ achievement in the classroom. The courses and practicum education you will complete meet some of the requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential, which is required to practice school social work in California. Please speak to your advisor for more information on the PPSC.


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Personal Statement

This personal statement asks for additional and different information than the personal statement you submitted with your original admissions application.  Please share information which we can use to plan your practicum education experience.
1. Provide an introduction of yourself.
2. Articulate why you chose social work.  Include personal growth experiences which have influenced your decision to pursue an advanced degree in social work.
3. Describe your expectations for your practicum placement; discuss particular interests, strengths, and limitations and how they might affect your ability to help clients.
4. Explain why you chose the specific department offered by the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, including how this choice enhances your individual learning goals and career focus.
5.  Practicum Education is vital and time consuming component of the MSW program.  Please describe how you plan to meet practicum requirements as outlined in the VAC Practicum manual.  Read more at: Link
Note: This statement may be shared with the Practicum Instructor at your assigned placement.


Please be as detailed as possible. (5,000 character limit.  This is about 1 1/2 pages of double-spaced text.) You are encouraged to  copy and paste from another application.)

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