To the Administration and School of Social Work at Sacramento State,

We, the undersigned students and supporters, respectfully request that California State University, Sacramento expand access to online practicum  courses within the Social Work program.

Why This Matters

Social work students are often balancing multiple high-demand responsibilities, including:

Employment (many in full-time or essential roles)
Parenting and caregiving responsibilities
Long commutes to placement sites and campus
Financial strain, including rising housing and transportation costs

While practicum placements themselves are understandably in-person, the associated seminar courses can be effectively delivered online without compromising educational quality.

The Need for Flexibility

Many accredited programs across the country have already adapted to offer hybrid or fully online seminar options. Providing this flexibility would:

Increase accessibility for nontraditional students
Support student mental health and reduce burnout
Improve retention and graduation rates
Promote equity for students with limited resources or transportation barriers

Educational Integrity Can Be Maintained

Online learning platforms allow for:

Live discussions and peer collaboration
Case consultations and supervision
Skills development through virtual simulations and reflective practice

These methods align with modern social work education standards and can uphold the rigor expected by accrediting bodies such as the Council on Social Work Education.

Our Request

We respectfully ask that Sacramento State:

Offer online or hybrid options for practicum seminar courses
Provide flexibility in attendance methods for students facing hardship
Engage students in ongoing dialogue about accessibility needs within the program

Conclusion

As future social workers, we are trained to advocate for equity, accessibility, and systemic change. We ask that California State University, Sacramento model these values by making its Social Work program more inclusive and responsive to student needs.

Many of the current social work students would likely not have even attended without the options for online classes due to a variety of reasons- many listed above. Eliminating the option for online practicum classes removes the opportunity to obtain a social work degree for may future social workers to come.

We appreciate your time and consideration.