In the field of counseling, practical experience is just as vital as theoretical knowledge. This is where practicum and internship experiences come into play, serving as essential components of graduate counseling programs. The UF counseling education programs prioritize these experiences to help students transition effectively from the classroom to real-world practice.
Why Practicum and Internship Matter for Students
Practicum and internship experiences provide counseling students with invaluable opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in a real-world setting. CACREP clearly outlines expectations for both practicum and internship experiences — while explaining their differences. All programs offered by the University of Florida counseling education program are CACREP accredited, and our students benefit from high-quality training and essential support for their careers. The practicum is completed in one academic semester, while the internship is typically completed within two academic semesters.
To complete the practicum, CACREP requires students to earn a minimum of 100 clock hours over a semester, including at least 40 hours of direct service with clients. This hands-on experience allows students to refine their counseling competencies while integrating theory with practice. This entire process takes place under the close supervision of a counselor education faculty member, often in conjunction with a site supervisor.
Following the practicum, students complete a counseling internship. This consists of 600 clock hours, where students gain even more individualized and hands-on training. This placement enables students to work in roles and settings relevant to their counseling specialty, and at least 240 of those hours are dedicated to direct client service. Like with the practicum, students complete the internship under the guidance of qualified supervisors.
Support from the University of Florida
The University of Florida is committed to helping students navigate the practicum and internship selection process. Selecting a clinical site for practicum and internship experiences is a collaborative process involving the student and the Field Experience and Internship team. Students are encouraged to explore clinical opportunities in the Alachua County area. When doing so, they should consider their career goals. This includes the specific client populations they wish to work with, their preference for structure and guidance, and the work environments that suit them best. Additionally, we also organize an annual Practicum and Internship Fair to link our students with clinical partners and offer valuable networking opportunities.
We expect our students to complete a planned sequence of supervised clinical experiences. During this time, they demonstrate enhanced counseling competence and manage increasingly demanding and dynamic client caseloads. We require our students to abide by professional, ethical counseling practice guidelines. Please see the following to refer to professional ethical codes:
Key Takeaways
The practicum and internship components of the counselor education programs at the University of Florida are integral to developing skilled, competent and ethical counselors. By combining comprehensive practical training with academic coursework, students emerge from their internship in counseling prepared to make a positive impact in the counseling field. If you’re ready to take the next step in your counseling career, explore our programs. Feel free to contact us to discover how these practical experiences can enhance your professional development.