Master of Social Work Practicum and Career Services
community practice
Extraordinary MSW Practicum Placements
Put theory to direct practice.
Practicum work is essential to earning your MSW. For two years, you’ll apply theory in advanced practice at custom-selected sites, preparing you to lead in your social work career.
Explore Our Top Practicum Sites
The map below highlights 10 of our top practicum sites, showcasing organizations we have built strong partnerships with. With over 150 Chicago-based practicum opportunities, these featured sites represent just a glimpse of the diverse, hands-on experiences available to our MSW students.
Click a point on the map to see details about the location
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
- Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavior Health
- Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute
- Communities in Schools of Chicago
- Healing Space Therapy
- JPA Chicago – Juvenile Protective Association
- LIFT Chicago
- Office of the Cook County Public Guardian
- Sarah’s Inn
- Start Early
practicum details
Learn More about Your MSW Practicum
Year 1: Building Generalist Skills
Overview
- Academic year-long practicum focused on foundational social work experiences
- Areas of practice include case management, advocacy, therapy, and community intervention
- Emphasis on integrating coursework with practicum practice
Commitment
- 14 hours per week over two days
- Minimum of 400 hours annually
Year 2: Advancing Expertise
Overview:
- Specialized practicum to deepen expertise in a chosen focus area
- Work with complex populations in settings such as schools, hospitals, and child welfare agencies
- Develop advanced skills in assessment, psychotherapy, crisis management, and trauma-informed intervention
Commitment:
- 17.5 hours per week over two or three days
- Minimum of 500 hours annually
Practicums for OMSW Students
Support for Online Students
- Erikson partners with students to identify high-quality practicum sites in their communities.
- The practicum office handles:
- Outreach to potential sites
- Vetting and approval of placements
- Ongoing support throughout the practicum process
Career Services for Master of Social Work Candidates
Join the MSW Program Family for Support at Every Step of Your Journey
At Erikson Institute, our Career Services team works with Master of Social Work candidates every step of the way.
- Career counseling and workshops
- Annual job fair and networking events
- Interview prep and resume reviews
- Career placement program
- Student and graduate resume book
With hundreds of partnerships and robust networks of alumni and practicum experts, the Career Services team is here to help you put your clinical education into practice.
Hear from our Alumni
Career Paths
Open New Doors with a Master of Social Work
Once you graduate, you’ll be able to put your degree to work right away. Here are a few of the roles Erikson graduates take on after graduation.
- Trauma-informed crisis counselor
- Individual and group therapist with children and families
- Social service administrator
- Research associate
- Policy advocate
- Mental health consultant
- Child welfare supervisor
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Create Transformational Change with your MSW Degree
Erikson’s Master of Social Work program will prepare you to develop the counseling and advocacy needed for effective social work practice.
Ready to get started?