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Social Work Internships
The social work internship, also known as field education, is a key component of any Master of Social Work program. Internships provide students with the opportunity to connect and integrate social work theory and practice in real-world settings.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the primary accrediting body for social work programs, has defined the social work field education practicum as an integral part of social work education.
The CSWE gives equal weight to classroom and field experience in the social work curriculum, each being recognized as contributing to the development of the competencies required for professional practice.
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
Social Work Internship Opportunities
MSW programs require students to complete their social work internship within their local community, and MSW programs work to place students with suitable agencies. For distance learners pursuing their degree, accredited online MSW programs work to place students with local agencies.
Typical internship settings include social service organizations, government agencies, hospitals, schools and businesses that focus on human services. Working under the guidance of professional social workers, interns gain hands-on experience in case management, assessment, evaluation and treatment of clients. Students may also be given the opportunity to develop and evaluate services that address the needs of the community.
Field education placements are tailored to students’ career goals and professional aspirations, and take into account factors such as geographic location, professional interests and goals, and previous volunteer and work experience.
Social Work Field Education Duration and Support
In order to fulfill CSWE field education requirements, MSW students must complete several hundred hours of field education under the supervision of a professional social worker who holds an MSW. Following an orientation period, a social work student should become engaged in direct service work with clients.
MSW programs may provide two types of field education experiences: in the first year, students complete an internship that provides general orientation to the profession; during the second year, students complete an experience that focuses on a subject matter or audience specific to their interest and study. In addition to placing students in field education positions, MSW programs provide ongoing support, maintain field liaison contacts with agencies, and evaluate the student’s learning.
If you’re considering earning an MSW, remember that social work field education is a required component for accredited master’s programs, and MSW programs are responsible for placing students in internships. Only choose an MSW program that fully supports field education as a keystone of the curriculum and recognizes field education as an important tool for preparing you to become an advanced professional social worker.
Further Reading
Information last updated: July 2026