Practicum and Internship Handbook: Application for Practicum and Internship Courses

All counselor trainees should read this information before considering application for practicum and internship classes. Remember that procedures change – check the Department website for the most current information.

Practicum and Internship classes present special circumstances regarding enrollment procedures because of limitation on class size (12 trainees per class).

Using diverse field placement sites and checking the qualifications of field site supervisors necessitates a great deal of co-ordination. Also, there are legal and ethical matters involved with field placements that demand careful attention and documentation. In order to manage these circumstances, the Department of Counseling requires counselor trainees to make a formal application for practicum classes and approved permit from the department before registration.

The following items will guide the trainee in their application process:

1. Trainees must submit application to enroll into practicum class. It is very important that you provide accurate and complete information on applications since this will be the basis for contacting you regarding your application. Follow this link for applications.
2. Trainees make application for practicum the semester BEFORE they wish to take the class. Applications are posted on the Department website, simply check the website under the “Clinical” tab where they are posted. There are deadlines for submitting application. The deadline will be advertised via department website; clinical application page.
   • NOTE: The primary means for communicating with you regarding you practicum/internship application is email. Be sure you check your MyLeo email frequently.
3. The submitted application will be reviewed by the director of training placements; the application will be reviewed on first come first serve basis.
4. The director of training and placement will approve the student with a permit to register to practicum or internship class. The department admin or graduate school personal will be copied with the email.
5. Upon receiving the permit the student, the student is responsible to register to the class in a timely manner. If the student has any trouble registering after the permit is granted by the department admin/ graduate school personal; the student can reach out to the director of training placements.
6. All counselor trainees enrolling in a field placement course must complete the face to face/online Practicum or Internship Orientation prior to the first class meeting. There is form at the end of this Orientation that tells the Department that you have completed it. Trainees who have not completed the Orientation will not be allowed to collect direct service hours and may be dropped from the class. Questions regarding the application process for practicum and internship should be directed to the Director of Training and Placement (email works best) or to the Department office (see contact information in this Handbook).

REMEMBER: you must make a separate application for practicum or internship classes in the semester BEFORE you plan to take the course; check the website for deadlines; follow directions carefully; always provide accurate contact information including a current email; complete the online Practicum or Internship Orientation promptly; enroll in your assigned course section as directed.