As a generalist program, the Social Work Department is proud to have a strong pool of MSW community placement sites in a range of practice areas including schools, tribal services, non-profit organizations, county social services and integrated behavioral health settings.  We value a student’s practicum experience as a fundamental aspect of their professional development, where students have the opportunity to practice skills directly under observation with feedback from a skilled and experienced social work professional.

MSW students complete at least 960 documented practicum hours; 480 hours each academic year.  This reflects a weekly commitment during each semester of at least 16 hours per week of practicum activities including an hour per week of MSW supervision.  Students admitted as Advanced Standing to the advanced year will only complete 480 hours of practicum experience.  All placements are for a full academic year, from Fall to Spring semester.

MSW community placements require a preliminary meeting with, and final approval from the Director of Community Placement and Practicum Education.  Students will complete an Application to Practicum Education, as well as submit a current resume in preparation for placement planning.  Students in the Humboldt County vicinity will have an opportunity to interview with two to three approved sites before a final placement is confirmed.

Online MSW Practicum Experience:

For students seeking to attend our online MSW Program, please review the information on our DL Practicum Experience, and Practicum Requirements pages. 

The Cal Poly Humboldt Social Work Department has ongoing partnerships for community placements within the Superior Region of Northern CA, which includes these counties: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yuba. Out of area students may need to move to the Superior Region of Northern California to complete their social work degree. Students in the online program must live in the state of California while they are in the social work program.