A GUIDE TO
OBTAINING POST-MSW PRACTICE EXPERIENCE
If
you plan to teach in School of Social Work at any point after completing
the doctorate you should be aware that the Council of Social Work
Education (CSWE -the professional organization that accredits MSW
and BSW programs) requires that faculty who teach required practice
methods courses must possess a masters degree from a CSWE accredited
social work program and the equivalent of at least two years of post-MSW,
full time, professional practice experience in social work. Also,
some schools require an MSW for all faculty positions. However, the
MSW and practice requirement does not apply to the teaching of elective
methods, HBSE, research or policy courses and there are many schools
that do not apply this requirement to faculty who teach in those areas
of the curriculum.
If you do not have two years of post-MSW practice experience you may
be able to obtain such experience while completing requirements for
your Ph.D. Time to perform significant practice is often available
during summer and break periods and during your candidacy and dissertation
years. In the past some students have even been able to arrange practice
opportunities in settings in which they were also conducting dissertation
research.
The
CSWE standard does not define full-time or specify the nature of practice.
However, schools generally interpret this standard to include direct
work with individuals, families, groups and communities and administration.
Research experience is often not seen as meeting the requirement.
Full-time practice is generally regarded as 30-40 hours per week.
If
you are planning to meet the practice experience requirement while
in the Ph.D. program you should discuss this matter with your adviser
and seek her/his suggestions as to how to schedule this activity.
If you will need assistance seeking settings in which you may practice
as a volunteer you may contact the MSW Field Director, Bart
Grossman. You may document your practice experience in several
ways including letters from employers, obtaining the LCSW (California
Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Certification, or the ACSW (Academy
of Certified Social Work) from NASW, since both certifications require
two years of post MSW practice.
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