Unpaid is Unfair: A National Call to Pay Student Interns
We urge academic institutions and state and federal policymakers to develop funding models. We urge the NASW and the CSWE to expand students as the decision-makers.
Every year, thousands of social work students across the United States complete unpaid internships to achieve their BSW and MSW degrees. These students provide essential services to communities and social service agencies, yet they are expected to work without compensation—an unfair burden that creates financial hardship, limits access to the profession and undermines social work's commitment to social justice and the dignity and worth of the person [1].
Currently, agencies and communities across the nation are facing staffing shortages among mental health and social service practitioners. It is more urgent than ever to address this workforce issue by easing the financial burden for degree-seeking students.
We, the undersigned, call for all students to be paid for their degree-required internships, including those in the practice of social work.
Secure funding for interns: We urge academic institutions, state and federal policymakers, and organizations benefiting from social work interns to commit to securing funding by paying interns through public and private funding, university support, and policy changes.
Include students as decision-makers: We call for the expansion of students as the decision-makers, giving them substantive influence in shaping policies that directly impact their educations, livelihoods, wellness, professional development, and future careers. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) must acknowledge the ethical challenges posed by unpaid practicum placements and fully integrate students' voices and experiences into decision-making processes that shape social work education requirements and professional ethical standards. Student representation would include, but is not limited to, board membership, committee/subcommittee membership, working groups, and voting rights.
The time to act is now!
By signing this petition, you are supporting a movement to ensure all social work students receive the compensation they deserve for their essential contributions to our communities. Join Us in Demanding Change!
Payment for Placements (P4P) is a student-led, independently organized movement [2]. We believe securing pay for social work students’ degree-required internships is a step toward racial, economic, and gender justice.Our mission to end unpaid internships is part of a broader fight for dignity and fair compensation for all workers, particularly those in feminized and racialized labor sectors. We stand in solidarity with labor movements and student organizers advocating for fair pay across industries.
[2] Payment for Placements (P4P) https://www.payment4placements.org
Petition by
To:
We urge academic institutions and state and federal policymakers to develop funding models. We urge the NASW and the CSWE to expand students as the decision-makers.
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned, call for all students to be paid for their degree-required internships, including those in the practice of social work.
We Call for Action!
1) Secure funding for interns: We urge academic institutions, state and federal policymakers, and organizations benefiting from social work interns to commit to securing funding by paying interns through public and private funding, university support, and policy changes.
2) Include students as decision-makers: We call for the expansion of students as the decision-makers, giving them substantive influence in shaping policies that directly impact their educations, livelihoods, wellness, professional development, and future careers. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) must acknowledge the ethical challenges posed by unpaid practicum placements and fully integrate students' voices and experiences into decision-making processes that shape social work education requirements and professional ethical standards. Student representation would include, but is not limited to, board membership, committee/subcommittee membership, working groups, and voting rights.