Were you placed in a designated SSW practicum or

did you advocate for a practicum placement you found

or negotiated (n=128)
Other

13%

New practicum (not previously assigned or

on the UW SSW list of practicum
placements)

15%

Assigned SSW practicum

78%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Open response themes: (number of responses with themes)

Practicum placements were overwhelming in terms of workload or presumed prior experience in the
field, or did not cultivate social work skills as much as was anticipated (6)
Switched practicum placements at least once because they were not a good fit or an area of interest
expressed by student to field advisor (9)
The PIs undervalued student, were not helpful, or were unavailable (4)
The selection process for practicums was unfair, or more practicums should be offered in the students
preferred settings (2)
One or both placements were great experiences (6)
I was told (by SSW faculty/admin) practicum placements could only be assigned, not chosen or set up by
student (3)
Liked and valued my practicum placement, but it was a financial or logistical hardship that could have
been alleviated with financial compensation (5)

Was your practicum placement on campus at the University of

Washington working with UW students, staff, or faculty (n=128)
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

83%

14%
2%
On the UW campus Research Assistant
Not on the UW
or Teaching
campus or working
Assistant as your
with UW staff or
practicum placement students (excluding
your PI)

Open response themes:

Large commutes (4)
Financial hardship and safety concerns (3)

7%
Other

Were you compensated for these practicum hours by the

UW SSW or bythe practicum organization or agency
(n=128)

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

83%

8%

3%

4%

2%

Open response themes:

Had to leave paid employment to complete unpaid practicum (2)
Financial hardship due to practicum not being compensated (2)
Paid for gas or liability coverage (3)
Work study (3)
Mileage reimbursed (2)
Was unaware compensation existed for practicums or paid practicums unfairly distributed to students
(2)

If you were compensated, was this initially set up by the

UW SSW or did you arrange this with your practicum after
you began working (n = 128)
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

80%

13%
Received
compensation from
the beginning of my
placement

6%

4%
Received
compensation during
placement but
negotiated between
me and the
organization

Never received
compensation

Other

Open response themes:

Practicum paid some students and not others doing the same internship (1)
Students have been paid in the past, but the agency negotiates privately on a case by case basis (1)
I negotiated my work study payment with my PI and the Financial Aid office or am trying to do so (3)
I negotiated independently for compensation with no assistance from SSW (1)

Was your practicum organization or agency

reimbursed for the work you completed (n=128)
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

60%

20%
9%

8%

5%

Yes - By health
Yes - Student tuition
coverage
or UW faculty
reimbursement or awarded grants (if
client payment
UW practicum
(Medicaid, private placement involved
insurance, client self- working with UW
pay)
students or UW
faculty researcher,
TA/RA)

Yes - My practicum
was awarded grants
or funding based on
work I did or a
proposal I submitted

No

Other

Open response themes:

Reimbursed through federal, private, or state grants (5)
Student wages reimbursed by work study (2)
Student work was essential to organizations current functions or capacity, or secured funding for agency
in the future (5)
Unsure (18)

Were your duties or assignments at your practicum placement similar to paid employees of the
organization? Tell us briefly about your assigned duties

Were your duties or assignments at your practicum placement similar

to paid employees of the organization? Tell us briefly about your
assigned duties (n=128)
other/negative
5%
No
13%

maybe/similar
18%
Yes
64%

Open response themes:

Exactly or almost identical to paid staff, my job duties are the same listed as hiring duties under paid
positions (77)
Similar but different than paid staff, the same but less cases/workload, some duties the same and some
not (21)
Not the same I only shadow a paid staff, or Im learning a lot with the supervision (16)
I have been doing administrative duties or other work that is not furthering my SW education (6)

45%
40%

Were the minimum requirements of required oversight or

instruction by a MSW PI (practicum instructor) fulfilled in
this practicum placement. (i.e. weekly meetings with your
PI) (n=128)
40%

35%
30%

26%

27%

25%
20%
15%

9%

10%
5%

1%

0%
Yes - all

Mostly

Some

No - none

Other

Open response themes:

My PI was rarely available or did not meet the minimum requirements of supervision (14)
My PI had little support from the SSW and/or the agency procedures or my task were not explained (2)
I was the main driver in meeting with my PI (2)
I had very little oversight in my practicum placement (2)
The minimum requirements were met or I had a positive experience overall with my PI/placement (15)
My PI was a roving MSW faculty member (3)
I had time or supervision with my PI, but not formal meetings where we checked in about SW (4)

How would you rate your feeling of safety in

your practicum setting and duties (n=128)
Unsafe Fairly unsafe
8%
4%

Safe
48%
Fairly safe
40%

Open response themes:

PI or workplace environment was unsupportive, unapproachable, and/or disrespectful leading some to
feel pressure/stress at the site (6)
Issues around safety/well-being were identified by student to SSW but not resolved (2)
Safety or safety mechanisms (panic button) were not explained or unavailable to students (2)
Felt safe or PI/agency was welcoming and supportive (9)
Felt physically safe but experienced emotional distress or secondary trauma (4)
Having to drive to sites or with clients in personal vehicles felt unsafe or client population elicited a degree
of safety concerns (6)
Didnt feel equipped or trained to work with clients that increased safety concerns (5)

Were there additional expenses beyond your tuition associated with

your practicum (n=128)
60%

Gas or mileage expenses,

48%

50%

Clothing purchased
specifically for practicum
dress code, 39%

40%
Vehicle maintenance,
31%

Other (please specify),

29%

30%
none, 23%
20%
Healthcare coverage
mandated or advised by
the UW SSW or practicum
10%
organization, 8%

0%

Open response themes:

Vehicle/Driving/parking & transportation related expenses (10)
Client snacks/food (3)
Necessary self-care expenses as a result of field placement experiences (2)
Office supplies, reading materials, or software purchased for field placement work (5)
Professionalism clothing, phone plans related to client work, badges/background checks (6)
Loss wages & child care (3)
None (3)
Health/liability coverage advised by agency (3)
Trainings, workshops, conferences (6)