AACS Atlanta social work internship program offers supervised, real-world field training for MSW and BSW students across Georgia. Interns work directly with individuals and families connected to the criminal justice system, including current and former inmates, individuals on probation or parole, and family members affected by incarceration.
This program is designed to give social work students practical experience beyond the classroom. Interns apply academic theory to real cases, build clinical skills, and become effective advocates for Georgia’s most underserved populations.
The people we serve across Georgia face complex, overlapping challenges. Interns gain experience working with:
The internship is structured around the three recognised levels of social work practice: micro, mezzo, and macro, giving Georgia interns a comprehensive, well-rounded training experience.
At the micro level, interns work one-on-one with clients and individual families throughout Georgia. This includes conducting needs assessments, identifying barriers to recovery and reintegration, and connecting clients to available local resources. Interns assist with individual and family therapy sessions, substance abuse counseling, and crisis support — developing the direct service skills essential to any social work career.
At the mezzo level, interns facilitate and co-facilitate group counseling sessions, including substance abuse treatment groups and behavioural intervention programs. Interns also work alongside Georgia nonprofit and community organisations to develop service delivery plans, improve program outcomes, and strengthen agency operations that benefit the clients they serve.
At the macro level, interns engage with the broader social systems that impact their clients’ lives. This includes research, community advocacy, program development, and understanding how Georgia state policies and legislation affect criminal justice-involved individuals. Macro-level experience equips interns to drive systemic change not just assist individuals, but reform the conditions that create vulnerability.
During the internship, students are expected to:
Individuals involved in the criminal justice system represent one of the most vulnerable populations in Georgia. They face a combination of poverty, untreated addiction, and mental health challenges that few other populations experience at the same scale. Georgia’s correctional system processes tens of thousands of individuals each year yet access to rehabilitative services, case management, and family support remains limited.
Social work interns serve as a critical bridge. By working across nonprofit organisations, grassroots community groups, and government agencies, interns help close the gap between what corrections systems provide and what clients actually need to successfully reintegrate into Georgia communities.
This is not abstract work. Interns build real relationships with real people — helping individuals in Georgia find stable housing, access addiction treatment, rebuild family ties, and stay out of the justice system for good.
This Georgia internship is designed to complement and reinforce your MSW or BSW coursework. Interns translate what they’ve learned in class into applied, supervised practice. Core competencies developed include:
Internship placements are available throughout the greater Georgia region, including Atlanta, Decatur, and Marietta, as well as surrounding communities. Interns may be placed in outpatient counseling centers, correctional facility partnerships, community mental health organisations, or court-affiliated programs — depending on program availability and the intern’s field of concentration.
Students currently enrolled in an accredited social work program in Georgia are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be in their first or second year of field placement and have a demonstrated interest in criminal justice reform, substance abuse treatment, or mental health services.
To apply or inquire about placement availability, contact us: