Practicum instruction is a structured, educational experience that offers students hands-on learning opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for both generalist and specialized social work practice. It serves as a critical bridge between classroom learning and professional application in real-world settings.
All students are required to complete a practicum application before beginning any field placement. Practicum is a key component of both the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) programs at Winthrop.
Through these placements, students engage in meaningful, real-world social work experiences within diverse practice settings. Working alongside professionals and serving real constituents, students develop critical skills and gain valuable insight into the day-to-day realities of social work practice.
The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program at Winthrop is grounded in generalist social work practice, preparing students to work across a variety of client systems and settings. Field education is an essential part of this training.
B.S.W. students are expected to demonstrate competency in generalist practice behaviors as outlined by the Council on Social Work Educations (CSWE).
In ther final semester, students complete a "block-style" practicum, commiting full-time to an approved field placement. This requires the completion of 450 hours in a professional social work setting, typically involving 30-35 hours per week of hands-on experience working directly with clients and communities.
BSW Practicum / Field applications are accepted for fall and spring placements only.
Winthrop’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since its launched in 2007. We currently follow CSWE's 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) to ensure a high-quality, competency-based education aligned with national expectations for social work practice.
Our program's specialization in Empowerment Practice prepares students to work effectively across all system levels - individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Practicum / Field education is a central component of the MSW program, with a variety of practicum models and structures tailored to fit each student's program format - includeing campus-based, full-time, part-time, and 100% online options. Each pathway provides rich, hands-on experience in real-world social work settings, designed to support advanced professional development.
The Winthrop Department of Social Work follows all federal guidelines for internship placement as outlined by the Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act.
If you are a working student and would like to explore the possibility of using your current place of employment as your practicum / field site, please contact the Practicum Office to learn more about the specific eligibility criteria and approval process for employment-based placements.
All B.S.W. students are required to use a practicum / field management software system - LiveText or Tevera - to track and manage their field education experience.
MSW students student enrolled prior to Spring 2021 utilize LIVETEXT by WatermarkTM while enrolled in Practicum. For support and login instructions please see below.
The Winthrop University MSW program uses an online electronic practicumn / field software system called Tevera. Current students (admitted after Spring 2021), are required to purchase and use Tevera. When it comes time for your practicum / field application process to begin, you will receive an e-mail from Tevera asking you to register as a user. Purchase is required for students (current cost is $195 and is subject to change). Purchase is not required for practicum / field instructors/community partners but you will be sent the same registration/account set-up link.
For more information on Tevera, please contact the practicum / field office at scwkfield@winthrop.edu and we will answer your questions.
Tevera will allow you to:
Complete your MSW practicum / field application and preliminary paperwork required to begin the placement process
Confirm your Practicum / Field Placement and Practicum / Field Instructor
Track practicum / field hours toward graduation
Run Attendance reports for your practicum / field instructors
Automate the process for submitting course practicum / field assignments, practicum /field evaluations, and other program assessments/forms during your practicum / field education experience
803/323-3387
803/323-3386 (fax)
scwkfield@winthrop.edu
Nikole J. Kidd, LMSW
Practicum / Field Director
803/323-3302
kiddn@winthrop.edu