About Us

The U.S. Army Social Work Internship Program (SWIP)

The US Army Social Work Internship Program (SWIP) is the Army’s formal training program for preparing recent Master’s in Social Work graduates for advanced clinical social work practice with Soldiers and Families. The goal of producing highly qualified military social workers capable of independent clinical practice in multiple practice areas.

SWIP Philosophy

  • The SWIP provides an educational bridge between graduate social work educations and independent social work practice.
  • The SWIP allows for the application of advanced social work theory in a supervised setting.
  • The SWIP equips its interns with the clinical skills needed to effectively help Soldiers and Families during peacetime and war.
  • The SWIP provides the Army Medical Department with professionals who possess the highest level of training and the ability to make the greatest contributions to recipients of military healthcare.

SWIP Structure

The SWIP student rotates though identified behavioral health practice areas and learns under the site specific clinical preceptors. The SWIP student at a minimum will rotate though the following military practice areas:

  • Behavioral Health
  • Addictions Medicine
  • Family Advocacy
  • Social Work Leadership/Management

Interns completing the SWIP fulfill at the supervision requirements to apply for state licensure as an independent clinical social worker.

The SWIP incorporates formal licensing preparation prior to taking the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the sites for the internship?

A: Current training sites are:

The SWIP is twenty six month clinical training program at various military Medical Treatment Facilities MTFs around the world.

Fort Sam Houston, TX
Fort Lewis, WA
Fort Campbell, KY
Fort Bragg, NC
Fort Hood, TX
Fort Bliss, TX
Fort Stewart, GA
Fort Drum, NY
Tripler AMC, HI

Q: How are the assignments to internship sites made?

A: Approximately six months prior to completion, the clinical coordinator will request an internship site for each of the graduate students. Assignments will be primarily upon the needs of the Army and other factors such as the Army Married Couples Program.

Q: Is there a cost associated with the internship for the intern?

A: No, there are no formal costs to the intern.

Contact Information

U.S. Army-University of Kentucky MSW Program
ATTN: Clinical Coordinator
U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School (AMEDDC&S)
2250 Stanley Road, Suite 011-1
Fort Sam Houston, TX – 78234-6100

Additional Information Can Be Found At:

https://socialwork.uky.edu/academics/msw/about-msw/

Contact Us

Program Director

210-221-6158

Clinical Director

210-221-6072

Education Technician

210-221-6887

Program Director of Training SWIP Fort Sam Houston, TX

210-539-1269

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