The school social work cluster includes two courses and a concentration practicum in a public school setting. The cluster is not a specialization, but rather an organization of courses and practica designed to enable MSW students to master the basic knowledge and skills required for certification as a school social worker by most state departments of education. Students completing the cluster will meet the minimum professional certification requirements to practice school social work in the majority of states that have credentials for school social workers. Practicum Most states who offer certification as a School Social Worker require a practicum experience in a public school setting. There are many paid and unpaid public school practicum sites GWB offers in Illinois and Missouri.
Students can do a practicum in Missouri and still apply for certification in Illinois.
During the practicum experience, students should work with children at the elementary and secondary levels and at least one case must involve special education programming. Students should participate in the assessment for at least one Individualized Education Plan or Individualized Family Services Plan meeting. Melissa Jonson-Reid, Ph.D. Asst.