Rutgers Master of Social Work students are required to complete 1125 hours of work at their practicum placement, significantly more than the Council on Social Work Education’s national requirement of 900 hours to sit for the social work licensure exam. Traditional full-time students spend between 15-22.5 hours per week outside of classes working at human service agencies in order to graduate. Duties are the same, or largely similar to, those of paid agency employees. These range from all types of social worker responsibilities such as case management, group therapy, classroom support, and other critical human services. Working at a placement for 2-3 days a week and attending classes 1-2 days leaves minimal time for students to spend with their families, engage in self-care, complete readings and assignments, and work an alternate job(s) to pay for basic living expenses.

The national issue of unpaid placements is compounded by major national issues such as income inequality, inflation, and the student debt crisis. Therefore, it is imperative that students are monetarily compensated for their labor.  We are asking Rutgers School of Social Work Office of Practicum Learning to promptly address this issue by meeting with Rutgers P4P to discuss how to properly compensate practicum students. Dignity and worth of the person is a core value in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics- students deserve to be treated as such by being compensated for their labor. 

To learn more

Instagram: @rutgersp4p  @p4pnational https://www.payment4placements.org/