VI. PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND POLICIES FOR PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS

PRACTICA are defined as field practice pursued under the intensive on-site supervision of practitioner supervisors. The practicum experience will vary according to the student's training level, the course work taken, and the experiences available at the particular site. Practica are designed to provide you with the opportunity to practice what has been and is being learned through course work, as well as an opportunity to learn directly from experienced field supervisors. Clinical and School students are approved in these positions by the GSAPP Coordinator of Practicum Placements, Lew Gantwerk. OP Students are approved by the OP practicum coordinator.

In contrast to a practicum, the doctoral internship is intended to be a culminating experience that follows the programmed sequence of coursework and practica. The Internship is an organized field training experience, and should not be confused with supervised experience or on-the-job training.)

All students must complete a Practicum contract jointly signed by the student and practicum supervisor. Details of each student's practicum activities, goals, and conditions of the practicum arrangements are described in a Practicum Contract developed with the supervisor at the outset of the practicum. An outline is provided by the Coordinator of Practicum Placements for the student to follow. This contract clarifies the working basis of the practicum agreement between the supervisor and the student. It is in the interest of both the supervisor and student that the contract states in some detail what the practicum experience will be and what responsibilities each will have.

Students should keep track of their practicum hours, supervisors, site, types of clients, etc. from their first practicum onwards. This will make the internship application process much easier.

Students with specific needs or interests (working with particular clients, or settings) should let the Practicum Coordinator know in writing.

It may be possible for advanced PsyD students to waive some of the practicum requirements; forms are available in the Advanced Status Program Proposal.