At the Graduate Institute of Social Work, National Taiwan Normal University, we believe that professional social work education is built upon the integration of academic learning and field practice. Our practicum curriculum is designed to enable students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world social work practice, while cultivating critical reflection, professional competence, and research capacity.
Master's students are required to complete two field practicums, each consisting of a minimum of 200 hours. The first practicum is undertaken during the summer between the first and second years of study, allowing students to immerse themselves in agency-based practice and gain substantial field experience. The second practicum takes place during the first semester of the second year, enabling students to integrate theoretical learning with ongoing practice, deepen professional reflection, and strengthen both their research and practice competencies.
The Institute maintains that professional competence in social work must be grounded in direct engagement with practice settings and a thorough understanding of the realities of service delivery. Professional development is a lifelong process. Therefore, even students who already hold a social worker license or possess extensive full-time social work experience are required to complete at least one practicum during their graduate studies. This requirement ensures continued integration of advanced academic learning with reflective professional practice. For students entering the program from other disciplines, the practicum provides an essential opportunity to acquire practical experience and transform their commitment to helping others into professional competence.
Another distinctive feature of our program is that all faculty members possess extensive experience in social work practice and field supervision. Throughout the practicum process, students receive direct guidance and professional support from faculty members. Upon completion of the practicum, each student is also required to prepare a Practicum Research Report, demonstrating critical academic reflection on their field experience. This capstone assignment strengthens the connections among field education, coursework, and thesis development, while fostering students' overall professional growth.
We believe that our commitment to field education empowers students to translate theory into effective practice and equips them to respond thoughtfully to the evolving needs of society. Whether you are entering social work from another discipline, seeking meaningful experience in helping professions, or hoping to combine advanced academic study with hands-on practice, the Graduate Institute of Social Work at National Taiwan Normal University offers a supportive environment in which to develop as a reflective and competent social work professional.
