Practicum and Internship Orientation
Updated Spring 2006
Introduction
This orientation is designed to address major questions related to students' clinical experiences required during the pursuit of Master of Education and Specialist in Education degrees in the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Florida. Students are required to know the contents of this material and abide by expectations, requirements, and procedures in order to complete successfully their practicum and internship. Additionally, students are encouraged to visit frequently the Practicum and Internship web page for the latest site information, resources, and information to help you maximize the depth of the clinical experiences.
Effective Fall 2005, changes were implemented in the number of practicum experiences required, site and direct service hours. Minor corresponding changes were made in taping requirements. The course pre- and corequisite requirements, course sequencing, and taping, and hour requirements sections are effective for students newly enrolling in the Department of Counselor Education beginning Fall 2005. The remainder of the material is relevant to all students, including those enrolled prior to Fall 2005. Students enrolled prior to Fall 2005 with specific questions about clinical course sequences, client hours, and site hours are directed to the Student Handbook. Finally, all students, regardless of first-term enrollment, are no longer allowed to register and complete a full-time clinical internship during Summer C term.
The following topics are outlined in this orientation:
Purpose and Expectations
Selecting a Site and the Practicum and Internship Fair
Clinical Documentation and Deadline Dates
Student Feedback and Concerns
Grades
Liability Insurance Requirements
School Counseling and Guidance Students Fingerprinting Requirements
Course Pre- and Corequisite Requirements
Course Sequence and Registration Requirements
Supervision and Taping Requirements
School Counseling and Guidance Accomplished Practice Requirements
Site and Direct Service Hour Requirements
Elective Track Clinical Experience Requirements
Students are invited to provide feedback on specific strengths or areas for improvement regarding this orientation and the clinical program. If students have any questions or need further clarification, they may contact the Assistant Clinical Coordinator, at ceclinical@coe.ufl.edu or (352) 273-4346.
Purpose and Expectations
Practicum and internship experiences comprise the critical application component of entry-level and doctoral programs. The purpose is allow students opportunities to demonstrate increased counseling competence while integrating theory and practice. Students will apply, refine, and synthesize knowledge, technique, and skills learned in the classroom.
Students are expected to complete planned sequence of supervised clinical experiences. They are expected to demonstrate enhanced counseling competence and manage increasingly demanding and dynamic client caseloads. Students should be open to supportive and constructive feedback offered by site hosts, site staff, and supervisors. Students are expected to work at their clinical sites from the first day to the last day of classes in the academic term. They are expected to conduct themselves professionally in every aspect of their clinical placement, including timeliness, appropriate professional attire, and meeting required documentation deadlines. They are expected to abide by professional ethical counseling practice guidelines. Link on the following references for professional ethical codes: American Counseling Association, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, American Mental Health Counseling Association, and American School Counselor Association.
Selecting a Site and the Practicum and Internship Fair
Ideally, selecting a clinical site is a collaborative process involving the student, academic advisor, Clinical Coordinator, Assistant Clinical Coordinator and requiring the student research clinical opportunities in the Alachua County area. Students should consider such factors as career goals, client populations with which experience is needed, the student's need for structure and guidance, and desired work settings. The Department of Counselor Education maintains relationships with a large number of mental health and marriage and family settings and K-12 schools in the local area. Students are able to review current clinical sites on the Clinical Sites webpage.
Students are required to select only active and approved sites. Practicum must be completed in the Alachua County area. Internships may be completed locally, in Florida, or out of state. Mental Health and Marriage and Family Counseling students interested in completing an internship in clinical sites that are either inactive or with whom we have not had a previous relationship, students are directed to the Site Development page. There students may review the Guide for Site Hosts and the process for developing a maintaining a clinical site. Students must contact the Assistant Clinical Coordinator at the beginning of the term prior to the one in which they intend to register for the internship and work together to help develop the site. School Counseling and Guidance students interested in internships outside of Alachua County but inside Florida are placed by the Office of Student Services in the College of Education. Students must complete a separate application process, in addition to required clinical documentation in the Counselor Education Department. Students are directed to the Student Teaching and Internship page and to the School Counseling and Guidance Intern Instructions and Application, maintained by the Student Services office.
Mental health and marriage and family students conduct an application process similar to a job search. After collaborating with the advisor and Clinical Coordinator, the student contacts potential sites to inquire whether they are considering practicum or internship students in the desired term. The student inquires about being interviewed and identifies four (4) clinical sites where she or he will be interviewed, noting them on the Application Form. Following being interviewed and if selected at multiple sites, the student accepts a clinical placement at one site and completes the Site Agreement Form. At that time, the student should inquire about orientation information and work schedules.
School counseling and guidance students undergo a placement process. Students collaborate with advisors, the Clinical Coordinator, and research school information in the Alachua County school district. Information may be obtained from the Clinical Sites page on the web. Students identify their top four (4) choices and note them on the Application Form. The Clinical Coordinator, faculty, and the Alachua County Director of Guidance meet to review student requests. Placements are made based on student request, school needs, and on faculty input about student development and needs. The Director of Guidance confirms placements with school counselors and contacts students via email with their confirmed sites and site hosts. Students then may contact the site host, arrange and introductory meeting and orientation, and complete the Site Agreement Form.
Each fall and spring term, the Department hosts a Practicum and Internship Fair in which site hosts from local currently active clinical settings are invited to meet with students. Students are able to network with site hosts and learn about opportunities in various clinical settings. This Fair is useful when considering clinical or school placements for the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms. For more information, link on the Practicum and Internship Fair web page.
Clinical Documentation and Deadline Dates
Each student has a clinical file, maintained by the Assistant Clinical Coordinator. The clinical file contains a complete set of documentation for each clinical experience. This file remains in the department indefinitely. It provides the documentation needed to verify clinical experiences and is consulted when graduates request verification letters for licensure and other professional endorsements. Completing documentation accurately and submitting them in professional-quality condition by scheduled deadlines is an important element of a student's professional behavior. Employers factor in counselor competence with documentation when considering promotions, raises, and letters of recommendation. Employers and agencies rely on counselors abiding by professional standards and expectations. Counselors overlooking these expectations risk their own careers and the licensing and economic stability of their agencies. Students are expected to know scheduled deadline dates and required documentation. Students missing documentation at the end of the semester will receive a U grade until the file is complete.
For the complete list of clinical documentation and corresponding due dates, please link to the Clinical Documentation and Due Dates page. Students registering for split internships and students completing clinical experiences at the same site must complete a complete set of clinical documentation for each clinical experience. Clinical documentation are to be completed on the computer, printed, signed, and submitted in professional-quality condition to the Clinical Coordinator by the date due. Forms in worn condition (i.e., crumpled, containing food and drink stains, and illegible) will be returned to the student for resubmission. Incomplete forms (i.e., forms with missing data or signatures) will be returned to the student for resubmission. It is recommended that students complete paperwork and obtain signatures well in advance of due dates, given the time it takes to contact advisors, supervisors, and site hosts and secure signatures. It is recommended students submit personally all documentation in order to ensure documentation is received by the deadline dates. Forms mailed by site hosts or supervisors may not arrive by the due date.
All international students are required to complete Curricular Practical Training documentation with the International Center prior to registering for each practicum and internship. A PowerPoint presentation and documentation can be accessed through the International Center Forms site. International students are responsible for reviewing procedures and appropriately submitting required documentation by appropriate deadline dates.
Student Feedback and Concerns
At the end of each term, students in clinical have opportunities to submit anonymous feedback on sites, site hosts, and individual and group supervisors. Site information is maintained in the Clinical Sites page on the web. This feedback is very helpful for professional and site development. Students are encouraged to complete these evaluations and use the site information feedback when reviewing sites for clinical selection.
If students have any problems or concerns with their clinical placement, site host, or supervision, they are strongly advised to contact the Clinical Coordinator. The Coordinator will listen to your concerns and work with you to identify the best intervention to reconcile the situation.
Grades
Grades for Practicum, Internship, and corresponding Group Supervision courses are Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). The Clinical Coordinator assigns grades, based on feedback from site hosts, individual and group supervisors, and based on students' completion of required documentation and submission by deadline dates. Students with missing documentation will receive a U grade until the file is complete.
Liability Insurance Requirements
Just as all professional counselors, students must maintain current liability insurance whenever they are in clinical experiences, including courses with clinical components. Maintaining liability insurance is demonstrated by submitting a photocopy of the current policy to the Assistant Clinical Coordinator. When renewing their policies, students must submit an updated copy to the Assistant Clinical Coordinator. It is assumed that a student does not have liability insurance if she or he does not have a copy in their clinical file or if she or he has an expired policy on file. Without current liability insurance, a student may not participate in clinical experiences. Liability insurance policies may be purchased, at significant student discounts, through the following professional organizations: American Counseling Association, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, American Mental Health Counseling Association, and the American School Counselor Association.
School Counseling and Guidance Students Fingerprinting Requirements
Prior to enrollment in the Department of Counselor Education, school counseling and guidance students are required to be fingerprinted with the Alachua County School Board Office of Human Resources. Fingerprint instructions are provided on the Fingerprint and Background Check Requirements page.
Course Pre- and Corequisite Requirements
Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to registration for clinical experiences. Corequisite courses may be completed either prior to or during the same semester as registered for clinical experience. The following sections detail the specific pre- and corequisite requirements for each program specialization.
Mental Health and Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
Prerequisite Courses for Practicum
MHS 5005 - Introduction to Counseling (3 cr.)
MHS 6401 - Counseling Theories & Applications (4 cr.)
MHS 6720 - Professional Identity & Ethics (3 cr.)
MHS 6200 - Assessment in Counseling & Development (3 cr.)
MHS 6500 - Group Counseling: Theory & Practice (3cr.)
Corequisite Courses for Practicum
MHS 6071 - Diagnosis & Treatment of Mental Disorders (3 cr.)
MHS 6430 - Introduction to Family Counseling (3 cr.)
MHS 6428 - Multicultural Counseling (3 cr.)
Prerequisite Courses for Internship
MHS 6020 - Counseling in Community Settings (3 cr.)
MHS 6450 - Substance Abuse Counseling (3 cr.)
School Counseling and Guidance Program
Corequisite Courses for Practicum
MHS 5005 - Introduction to Counseling (3 cr.)
MHS 6401 - Counseling Theories & Applications (4 cr.)
MHS 6720 - Professional Identity & Ethics (3 cr.)
MHS 6421 Play Counseling and Play Process with Children (3 cr.)
SDS 6411 Counseling with Children (3 cr.)
SDS 6413 Counseling Adolescents (3 cr.)
Course Sequence and Registration Requirements
Entry-level M.Ed./Ed.S. and Ed.S. only students newly enrolling in the Department of Counselor Education as of Fall 2005 are required to complete one (1) practicum and one (1) internship. The Practicum is completed in one academic semester. The Internship may be completed either one academic semester or split into two academic semesters. Students may register for full-time internships in the Fall and Spring. Students may not register for full-time internships in the summer. Students register for group supervision simultaneously with clinical courses. Students registering for split internships and students completing clinical experiences at the same site must complete a complete set of clinical documentation for each clinical experience. The following are the specific practicum and internship courses for each program specialization.
Mental Health Counseling Practicum Registration
MHS 7805 - Practicum in Mental Health Counseling (3 cr.)
MHS 7804 - Group Supervision in Agency Counseling (3 cr.)
Mental Health Counseling Internship Registration
Full-time One Semester Registration
MHS 7830 - Internship in Counseling (5 cr.)
MHS 7804 - Group Supervision in Agency Counseling (3 cr.)
Split-Internship Two Semester Registration
Semester One
MHS 6831 - Supervision for a Split Internship (3 cr.)
MHS 7804 - Group Supervision in Agency Counseling (3 cr.)
Semester Two
MHS 7830 - Internship in Counseling (5 cr.)
MHS 7804 - Group Supervision in Agency Counseling (3 cr.)
Marriage and Family Counseling Practicum Registration
MHS 7806 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Counseling (3 cr.)
MHS 7807 - Group Supervision in Marriage and Family Counseling (3 cr.)
Marriage and Family Counseling Internship Registration
Full-time One Semester Registration
MHS 7830 - Internship in Counseling (5 cr.)
MHS 7807 - Group Supervision in Marriage and Family Counseling (3 cr.)
Split-Internship Two Semester Registration
Semester One
MHS 6831 - Supervision for a Split Internship (3 cr.)
MHS 7807 - Group Supervision in Marriage and Family Counseling (3 cr.)
Semester Two
MHS 7830 - Internship in Counseling (5 cr.)
MHS 7807 - Group Supervision in Marriage and Family Counseling (3 cr.)
School Counseling and Guidance Practicum Registration
SDS 7800 - Practicum in School Counseling (3 cr.)
SDS 7820 - Group Supervision in School Counseling (3 cr.)
School Counseling and Guidance Internship Registration
Full-time One Semester Registration
SDS 7830 - Internship in School Counseling (5 cr.)
SDS 7820 - Group Supervision in School Counseling (3 cr.)
Split-Internship Two Semester Registration
Semester One
SDS 6831 - Supervision for a Split Internship (3 cr.)
SDS 7820 - Group Supervision in School Counseling (3 cr.)
Semester Two
SDS 7830 - Internship in Counseling (5 cr.)
SDS 7820 - Group Supervision in School Counseling (3 cr.)
Supervision and Taping Requirements
Students registered for practicum and internship courses will receive one (1) hour of individual supervision and one and one half (1 1/2) hours of group supervision per week, beginning the first week of the academic term. Supervision will be provided either onsite or by doctoral students or faculty in the Counselor Education Department. Supervisors are assigned by either the site host for onsite supervision or by the Assistant Clinical Coordinator for department supervision. With the exception of SCG practicum students, supervision hours are included in the total hour requirements for each clinical experience.
Video and/or audio taping provide vital links documenting student development. Students are required to provide 6 tapes for the Practicum and 10 tapes for a full-time Internship. Students completing a split-internship are required to provide 6 tapes per semester for a total of 12 tapes. Tapes will be shown in both individual and group supervision. Failure to provide demonstrations of student counselor work may effect negatively on a student's sucess in their clinical experience.
School Counseling and Guidance Accomplished Practice Requirements
School counseling and guidance students are required to complete specific assignments in their clinical experiences, demonstrating competency in practices expected of professisonal school counselors. These assignments must be submitted to the Individual Supervisor no less than one month prior to the last day of class to allow time for review, rating, and revisions as needed prior to the last day of the semester. Information is provided about required assignments on the School Counseling and Guidance Accomplished Practice Assignments for Clinical Courses page.
Site and Direct Service Hour Requirements
Practicum and Internship experiences require students complete minimum number of hour requirements. Hour requirements include hours in which the student is required to be onsite and hours in which the student provides direct client contact. Students may be asked to complete additional hours as part of their negotiation with clinical site hosts. Students are required to maintain an Activity Log, tracking their hours, and submit a signed copy to the Clinical Coordinator on the last day of classes. Listed below are hour requirements for each program specialization.
Students are expected to begin work on the first day of class and are required to be onsite until the last day of class. Students are demonstrating professional misconduct when leaving a clinical site prior to the end of term and are subject to department displinary action, which may include receiving an Unsatisfactory (U) for the clinical experience requiring the student to register again for the clinical experience.
Mental Health and Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
Practicum
Onsite Hours - 400 Hours (27 hours per week during Fall & Spring semesters; 34 hours per week during Summer C semester)
Direct Client Service Hours - 100 Hours
Internship
Onsite Hours - 600 Hours (40 hours per week during full-time, one-semester internship; 20 hours hours per week during split, two-semester internship)
Direct Client Service Hours - 250 Hours (Students seeking Marriage and Family licensure must demonstrate, within their practicum and internship clinical experiences, they have completed 180 hours of direct service with couples and families.)
School Counseling and Guidance Program
Practicum
Onsite Hours - 225 Hours (15 hours per week; approximately 3 school days per week; supervision hours are NOT included in the total site hours for SCG practicum students)
Direct Client Service Hours - 65 Hours
Internship
Onsite Hours - 600 Hours (40 hours per week)
Direct Client Service Hours - 180 Hours
Elective Track Clinical Experience Requirements
With the approval of their academic advisors, students may complete coursework and clinical requirements for a supplemental program specialization. Effective Fall 2005, students completing an optional clinical experience outside their primary programs are required to register for the following courses and are expected to complete the following site and client contact hours:
Mental Health Counseling
MHS 7805 - Practicum in Agency Counseling
MHS 7804 - Group Supervision in Agency Counseling
400 Site Hours/100 Direct Service Hours
27 site hours per week in Fall or Spring semester
34 site hours per week in Summer C semester
Marriage & Family Counseling
MHS 7806 - Practicum in Marriage and Family Counseling
MHS 7807 - Group Supervision in Marriage and Family Counseling
400 Site Hours/100 Client Contact Hours
27 site hours per week in Fall or Spring semester
44 site hours per week in Summer C semester
[Students seeking Marriage and Family licensure must demonstrate, within their practicum and internship clinical experiences, they have completed 180 hours of direct service with couples and families.]
School Counseling & Guidance
SDS 7800 - Practicum in School Counseling
SDS 7820 - Group Supervision in School Counseling
225 Site Hours/60 Client Contact Hours
15 site hours per week in Fall or Spring semester (Supervision hours are NOT included in the total site hours for SCG practicum students)
