Practicum

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Work Practicum is the American term for a work placement and is an undergraduate or graduate-level course, often in a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students supervised practical application of a previously or concurrently studied field or theory. [1] Practicums (student teaching) are common for education, mental health counselor, and social work majors. In some cases, the practicum may be a part-time student teaching placement that occurs the semester before a student's full-time student teaching placement. [2] [3]

The process resembles an internship; however, a practicum focuses on observation over work experience. [4] In the case of student teaching placements within the United States, students gain insight into the professional responsibilities of classroom teachers by working under the direct supervision of experienced, state-licensed educators. [5] Student educators work directly with cooperating teachers to plan and implement effective lessons using a variety of teaching strategies and methods to provide differentiated instruction within classrooms and meet the needs of diverse students. [6] To ensure the safety of students and faculty members, background checks are required and must be completed before any teaching candidate can begin their practicum experience. [7]

Use in Mental Health Training

In the United States, the term "practicum" refers to a specific type of training experience that is a core component of educational programs in fields such as psychology, counseling, social work, and other health-related disciplines. [8] This hands-on training is conducted at designated sites where trainees gain practical experience under the supervision of experienced professionals. [9] Practicum sites are often clinics, hospitals, or community service agencies where students apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, interact with clients, and develop clinical skills essential for their professional development. [10] Some graduate programs have dedicated practicum sites for their students to attend. [11] [12] Other graduate schools have students find external practicum sites [13] [14] , which has been reported as challenging by some students. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) provide guidelines and standards for practicum experiences, ensuring that they meet the educational requirements necessary for licensure and professional practice. [9] [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Definition of PRACTICUM". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  2. ↑ "My Student Teaching Experience | A publish.illinois.edu site - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign". 2016-05-01. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  3. ↑ "Student Teaching Frequently Asked Questions". School of Education. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  4. ↑ "What is the Difference Between a Practicum and an Internship?". Best Counseling Degrees. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  5. ↑ "Practicum and Clinical Experiences". Iowa State University. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  6. ↑ Ferlazzo, Larry (2023-11-17). "What Does Successful Differentiated Instruction Look Like in the Classroom?". Education Week. ISSN   0277-4232 . Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  7. ↑ "Practicum Policies". Missouri State University. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  8. 1 2 "Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology" (PDF). www.apa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  9. 1 2 "2016 CACREP Standards". CACREP. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  10. ↑ "Resources for the Regulation of Practicum Experience for Licensure Requirements" (PDF). 2022. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  11. ↑ "Wright Institute Advanced Supplemental Assessment Practicum". The Wright Institute. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  12. ↑ "Practicum at the Sentio Counseling Center". Sentio University. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  13. ↑ "Supervised Practicum Sites - Masters in Counseling Psychology | Pacifica". Pacifica Graduate Institute. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  14. ↑ "Top student questions regarding practicum and internships". Xavier University. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  15. ↑ Warren, Jeffrey M.; Schwarze, Mark (2017). "Exploring Internship Experiences of Counselors-in-Training through Pinterest: A Consensual Analysis". The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision. doi:10.7729/92.1139. ISSN   2164-3288.
  16. ↑ Galán, Chardée A.; Boness, Cassandra L.; Tung, Irene; Pedersen, Sarah L.; Jones, Neil P. (2023-05-11). "A Commentary on "Systemic Challenges in Health Service Psychology Internship Training: A Call to Action From Trainee Stakeholders"". Clinical Psychological Science. 12 (1): 180–184. doi:10.1177/21677026231156597. ISSN   2167-7026.
  17. ↑ Otte, Brionna. "What I Wish I Had Known Before Starting at Touro University Worldwide" . Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  18. ↑ dc (2024-06-19). "PMHNP Psychotherapy Practicum Sites: Why They're Hard to Get" . Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  19. ↑ "Rejected of two rounds of applications and interviews for Counseling Practicum?". careervillage.org. 2024-04-02. Retrieved 2025-02-25.


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