BASW, Junior - Year 1

Step 1: Fill in and submit the placement worksheet

Link to BASW Practicum Referral worksheet here.

Step 2: Practicum Placement Timeline Overview

BASW Practicum - Quick Guide

Welcome! This guide has all the information you need to prepare for your BASW Practicum Placement. Read carefully and keep it handy.

Practicum Overview

  • The BASW Practicum is 12 credits / 480 field hours.

  • In Spring 2025, you’ll take TSOCWF 414 (1 credit) to get an introduction to field education. This course includes required trainings, placement interviews, and the start of your learning plan. You will earn 40 hours for this course.

  • The remaining 440 hours (11 credits) will be completed in your practicum placement over Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters (14 hours/week) at a single agency.

Step 1: Understand Your Practicum Timeline

  • TSOCWF 415 (Practicum) begins Autumn 2025 and ends June 2026.

  • You may not start before September 24, 2025, except for special K-12 school placements (see Step 9).

Step 2: Plan Your Availability

  • Most placements are during regular weekday hours; weekend or evening options are extremely limited.

  • Start planning to adjust work schedules or other commitments now to ensure availability for 14 hours/week.

Step 3: Schedule Your Field Coordinator Meeting

  • You’ll set up a 30-minute meeting with your Field Coordinator in person or via Zoom during Winter Quarter.

  • Look out for emails from your Field Coordinator (FC) to schedule your appointment.

  • There is no advantage to scheduling early; interviews generally occur late March–early April.

Step 4: Do Not Contact Agencies Yourself

  • Placement arrangements are handled through your Field Coordinator.

  • If you have ideas for new placements, discuss them at your meeting to see if they are feasible.

Step 5: Complete Your Practicum Placement Form

  • Submit the form by November 17.

  • Provide thorough and detailed responses—this helps your Field Coordinator identify the best practicum options for you.

Step 6: Placement at Your Current Workplace

  • If requesting your current employer as a placement, be ready to outline:

    1. How your practicum differs from your regular job

    2. Who will supervise you (must have BASW/MSW + 2 years experience)

    3. Your practicum schedule

Step 7: Domestic Violence Agency Placements

  • A 30-hour training is required before meeting clients.

  • YWCA offers this training twice a year (April & October)—register early as spots fill quickly.

  • Training hours count toward your 440 practicum hours.

Step 8: Immunizations

  • All immunizations must be up to date before and throughout your practicum.

  • Non-compliance will suspend your placement until resolved.

Step 9: K-12 School Placements

  • K-12 placements start before UW Tacoma’s Autumn quarter, usually late August–early September.

Step 10: Placement Restrictions

  • Certain placements are not available: medical settings, VA, most clinical mental health settings, and a few others.

  • Agencies may also set limits on student types and numbers.

Need Help?

Step 3: Schedule meeting with Field Coordinator

Schedule a meeting with a Field Coordinator.