What is Practicum?
Practicum is intended to be the culminating experience in the Counseling Psychology Programs. Students are given the opportunity to begin to develop the professional competencies required of a mental health clinician.
It is listed as CPSY 333 in the Course Catalogue and is for 9 units (3 units each quarter).
Who must take Practicum?
All students in the MFT, LPCC, or MFT/LPCC Tracks seeking licensure are required to take Practicum.
When do I take Practicum?
Practicum is designed to be taken the last year of your academic studies. All Practica start in the Fall of each year and run for three quarters. A student must take CPSY 333.1, 333.2, and 333.3 consecutively in the same year. Practicum is not offered during summer sessions.
When do I start thinking about and planning for Practicum?
- From the beginning of your program! At this time should start your planning, that includes the sequence of your courses and the number of courses you plan on taking each quarter.
- You should also begin to attend the annual Practicum Fairs in your first year. Begin to inform yourself on the available option and sites.
- Thanks to the GSA, the department now has a comprehensive two-hour videotape on the laws. You can schedule an appointment to see the video by calling the SCU Media Lab at 554-4091.
- The Board of Behavioral Science has an excellent Web site at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/.
- When you meet a Practicum student, ask questions!! How is the experience? How is the supervision? And those types of questions.
- In the year prior to taking Practicum you should meet with your advisor and Department Practicum Supervisor to assess your standing in the program and to evaluate whether you will be ready for Practicum.
