Internships
Once a Social Work & Human Services student has decided on a degree track, they should see the Internship Instructor/Coordinator for intern referrals and job-hunting coaching in the final semesters of their studies.
Addiction Studies
Students are required to take SWHS 88 Addiction Practicum (2 units) concurrently with SWHS 99i Human Services Internship for a minimum of 3 units, and SWHS 86 Social Work Practicum (3 units). Both requirements must be completed, but they may be taken in any order.
These courses are only offered in the fall or spring semester, respectively.
Advocacy, CWC & SWHS AA-T
Students are required to take SWHS 86 Social Work Practicum (3 units) in the spring semester.
This course combines practicum and fieldwork: 17.5 hours of practicum lecture plus a minimum of 105 hours per semester in a paid or unpaid Social Work & Human Services placement.
Is My Placement a Good Fit?
Use the guidance below to evaluate whether a current or prospective placement will qualify toward your track.
If you are seeking a Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) placement and are unsure whether your current role — or a prospective role — meets program requirements, use the competencies below to evaluate whether the placement is appropriate.
Core Professional Competencies
- Demonstrates cultural responsiveness and humility in practice
- Actively works to recognize and mitigate implicit bias when engaging with diverse clients and communities
- Understands professional standards, ethical principles, and relevant legal mandates
- Applies these standards appropriately to inform coaching practice
- Uses effective communication skills grounded in empathy, reflection, and active listening
- Builds rapport and trust through strong interpersonal engagement
Required Skills for State-Issued Wellness Coach I Certificate
Applicants must demonstrate all competencies listed below to qualify.
- Delivers group or classroom-based wellness programming
- Addresses topics including:
- Positive relationship building
- Bullying prevention
- Nutrition and physical activity in relation to behavioral health
- Teaches mental health literacy, including:
- Recognition of symptoms
- Strategies for seeking help
- Ways to offer peer support
- Teaches life skills such as:
- Stress management
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Supports youth during behavioral health screenings conducted by clinical professionals
- Assists with:
- Answering screening-related questions
- Facilitating appropriate handoffs to qualified behavioral health providers
- Coordinates and assists with universal screening initiatives in schools or community-based organizations
- Follows SAMHSA guidelines under the direction of qualified professionals
- Connects individuals to internal and external behavioral health resources, including:
- School-based supports
- Community organizations
- Outpatient providers
- Local, regional, and national crisis resources
- Communicates effectively with interdisciplinary professionals to ensure continuity of care
- Completes behavioral health-related administrative and coordination activities
- Identifies potential behavioral health risks
- Makes appropriate referrals to licensed clinical professionals
- Provides emotional support and facilitates warm handoffs for youth awaiting crisis services
- Conducts brief check-ins and scheduled one-on-one meetings
- Provides emotional support using manualized or structured curricula focused on:
- Wellness education
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Goal setting and action planning
- Lifestyle improvement
- Life skills development
- Facilitates small-group programming focused on:
- Social-emotional skill development
- Stress management
- Time management and organization
- Problem-solving skills
- Documents services accurately, systematically, and objectively
- Uses credible evidence to support records and reporting
AOD Counseling Experience Hours — Eligibility Checklist. Use this to determine whether a placement or experience qualifies toward the ~2,240-hour AOD counseling requirement.
Core Requirements
- Hours must be completed at a DHCS licensed and/or certified drug/alcohol treatment center or facility
- Practicum/fieldwork hours count, as long as all other requirements are still met
Check: Is the facility DHCS licensed/certified?
Hours count if they involve:
- Evaluating AOD treatment/recovery needs (screening, intake, assessment)
- Developing and updating treatment/recovery plans
- Implementing the treatment/recovery plan
- Ongoing assessment and treatment planning
- Individual, group, or family/couples counseling; face-to-face interviews
- Documentation: progress notes, discharge summaries, clinical reports, assessments, client data
Hours do not count if they involve:
- Overnight tech duties
- Driving clients
- Leading 12-step meetings
Check: Do the described duties match the counseling activities above — not just support/logistics tasks?
Supervisor must be a certified AOD counselor or a licensed professional, such as:
- LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
- LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
- LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor)
- MD (Medical Doctor)
(List is not exhaustive — other licensed professionals may qualify.)
Check: Confirm supervisor's license/certification type and status.
Quick Decision Summary
A placement qualifies only if all of the following are true:
- Facility is DHCS licensed/certified
- Duties match qualifying AOD counseling activities (not excluded tasks)
- Supervisor is certified/licensed as required
Placement
Students may develop their own position or use the assistance of the Work Experience office.
Students may develop their own position or utilize the assistance of the Work Experience office. Schedule an appointment online or call 707-527-4329, or stop by the Work Experience Education Department in the Career Hub, 3rd floor of the Bertolini Student Center on the Santa Rosa Campus.
Looking for an Addiction Studies placement? Browse approved Social Work & Human Services addiction sites.
Plan ahead — the Internship Instructor's/Coordinator's schedule is usually full at the start of each semester.
For internships (SWHS 99i): Registration approval for the internship course will be given after the position has been secured and approved.
For practicum (SWHS 88): No add code is needed — once you're enrolled in SWHS 99i, you can add SWHS 88 on your own.
Students may enroll until mid/late September (fall semester) and the end of February (spring semester).