Hmm, that gets a little tricky. First the agency should be careful to not tie the stipend to hours worked, as they are delving into potential labor law issues. But that aside....
Yes, we sometimes have agencies (stipend or no stipend) that ask for additional hours beyond the required amount. In those instances we remind agencies first, that this is a learning experience, and not providing staff coverage for their agency. If the agency insists, we always talk to students and encourage them to draw boundaries as a student and remind them they are not required to accept this internship and that we will help them secure another one, and they should not feel any obligation to accept the internship. However, some students may still opt into this anyways if it's a learning experience they really want.
We have implemented what we called an "Extended Field Learning" program. It basically allows us to pre-approve additional field hours in lieu of elective credit. Here is a more detailed description:
Select agencies who work with GSSW interns in the Denver Campus, Western Colorado, and Four Corners program may offer/require additional learning to students in their field placement that require students to complete additional field hours and credits.
These agencies must be carefully pre-approved by the Field office to ensure that they are offering substantial field learning to warrant additional field credits.
If a GSSW student elects to use their elective credit to complete additional field learning, this means that they will register for extra field credits instead of, for example, taking Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (one of the many GSSW electives offered).
The Field Office recommends that agencies carefully consider whether their additional field learning is comparable to the education a student will receive in an academic class before completing this form.
Agencies may request approval for up to 6-credit hours of approved additional field learning. Agencies must specifically outline the learning available to warrant the below hours and credits.
| |
Regular Required Hours |
3-credits of Additional
Field Learning |
6- credits of Additional Field Learning |
| Foundation Year |
13.5 hr/week
135 hr/quarter
400 hr/year |
18 hr/week
180 hr/quarter
535 hr/year |
n/a |
| Concentration Year* |
16.5 hr/week
165 hr/quarter
500 hr/year |
20.5 hr/week
205 hr/quarter
620 hr/year |
24.5 hr/week
245 hr/quarter
740 hr/year |
* Concentration Year only- the hours per quarter (which is 10 weeks long) equals 5 hours less than the hours per year. These extra 5 hours can be made up any time in the year. In Fall Quarter, students are in field 11 weeks instead of 10 due to the prolonged Winter Break. Therefore, most students will make up these 5 hours in Fall Quarter.
In order to be approved for extra hours for credit, agencies must demonstrate additional learning that allows students to further develop their skills and demonstrate required social work competencies. Agencies may offer a combination of:
- additional extensive required training
- additional extensive required supervision
- required certifications
All additional learning must be specifically for the internship, and not part of outside employment or other courses.
Please detail in this form how your agency and internships meet these requirements. Please review the list of core competencies and be prepared to explain in detail which competencies are met by the required activities.
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Aneesha Bharwani
Assistant Dean for Field Education, Associate Professor of the Practice
University of Denver
Denver CO
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Original Message:
Sent: Jul 22, 2022 22:47
From: Tamlyn Ashford
Subject: Stipend for interns
Hi Aneesha,
Thank you for your response! Have you ever come across a situation where the amount of hours expected of the students extends way beyond the practicum requirements where a stipend is attached? The agency offers the stipend to cover the extra hours students provide.
Thank you
Tamlyn Ashford, Ed.D., MSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor Social Work
One College Park Drive. Saint Louis, MO 63141. 314.392.2245
Original Message:
Sent: 7/22/2022 7:50:00 PM
From: Aneesha Bharwani
Subject: RE: Stipend for interns
Hi Tamlyn,
If an agency offers a student a stipend, they are typically not considered an employee of the agency. However, agencies should ensure that if they are offering the student a stipend as a "volunteer", they are adhering to all the requirements with the Labor Law. However, we don't provide agencies with legal/HR advice on this, and encourage them to consult with their own legal/HR to ensure they are following the labor laws when offering a stipend. If the agency offers a stipend, we do not have our students complete the application for internship in place of employment.
However if the agency pays a student as as an employee, related to hours worked, they are an employee of the agency, and the agency must pay the student at least minimum wage and follow all labor laws regarding employment. If the agency pays the student as an employee, then we do have to follow the polices set forth by CSWE related to internships in a place of employment. It's also worth checking with your risk management, as for our students who are in employment based internships, our workman's compensation does not primarily cover students, as their employed agency should provide this coverage.
We highly encourage our agencies to pay our students stipends if they are able to and many more are offering this. We also similarly have no objection with students completing internships in their paid employment. It has become more and more necessary with cost of living and graduate school. We just have a formalized process and meet with each of these students to discuss the focus on learning, etc.
Hope this helps!
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Aneesha Bharwani
Assistant Dean for Field Education, Associate Professor of the Practice
University of Denver
Denver CO
Original Message:
Sent: Jul 21, 2022 11:02
From: Myke Selha
Subject: Stipend for interns
From my perspective, the biggest difference between a stipend and being a paid employee is the involvement of the HR department. It is also whether the status of student is prioritized over that of being an employee.
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Myke Selha
Field Education Director
Grand View University
Des Moines IA
Original Message:
Sent: Jul 20, 2022 10:33
From: Tamlyn Ashford
Subject: Stipend for interns
Hello Everyone,
My name is Tamlyn Ashford. I am new field director with Missouri Baptist University MSW Program
We have a couple of students that have asked about finding paid interns or interns that they receive stipends. There is also a student who found an agency that has offered a stipend.
I know that it is not common for SW interns to be paid or stipend based. I am trying to determine the difference between being a paid employee and receiving a stipend.
I am curious if anyone has encountered these scenarios and if so how do you address?
Thank you!
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Tamlyn Ashford
Assistant Professor
Missouri Baptist university
Saint Louis MO
314 392 2245
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