SECTION 3: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Professional practice, which includes practicum and internship, provides for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills under supervision. These experiences will provide opportunities for students to counsel clients who represent the ethnic and demographic diversity of their community.

The following Standards apply to entry-level programs for which accreditation is being sought.

ENTRY-LEVEL PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

1. 1. Students are covered by individual professional counseling liability insurance policies while enrolled in practicum and internship.
   2. Supervision of practicum and internship students includes program-appropriate audio/video recordings and/or live supervision of students’ interactions with clients.
   3. Formative and summative evaluations of the student’s counseling performance and ability to integrate and apply knowledge are conducted as part of the student’s practicum and internship.
   4. Students have the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of professional activities and resources, including technological resources, during their practicum and internship.
   5. In addition to the development of individual counseling skills, during either the practicum or internship, students must lead or co-lead a counseling or psychoeducational group.

PRACTICUM

1. 6. Students complete supervised counseling practicum experiences that total a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term that is a minimum of 10 weeks.
   7. Practicum students complete at least 40 clock hours of direct service with actual clients that contributes to the development of counseling skills.
   8. Practicum students have weekly interaction with supervisors that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the practicum by (1) a counselor education program faculty member, (2) a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member, or (3) a site supervisor who is working in consultation on a regular schedule with a counselor education program faculty member in accordance with the supervision agreement.
   9. Practicum students participate in an average of 1½ hours per week of group supervision on a regular schedule throughout the practicum. Group supervision must be provided by a counselor education program faculty member or a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member.

INTERNSHIP

1. 10. After successful completion of the practicum, students complete 600 clock hours of supervised counseling internship in roles and settings with clients relevant to their specialty area.
   11. Internship students complete at least 240 clock hours of direct service.
   12. Internship students have weekly interaction with supervisors that averages one hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship, provided by (1) the site supervisor, (2) counselor education program faculty, or (3) a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member.
   13. Internship students participate in an average of 1½ hours per week of group supervision on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Group supervision must be provided by a counselor education program faculty member or a student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member.

SUPERVISOR QUALIFICATIONS

1. 14. Counselor education program faculty members serving as individual/triadic or group practicum/internship supervisors for students in entry-level programs have (1) relevant experience, (2) professional credentials, and (3) counseling supervision training and experience.
   15. Students serving as individual/triadic or group practicum/internship supervisors for students in entry-level programs must (1) have completed CACREP entry-level counseling degree requirements, (2) have completed or are receiving preparation in counseling supervision, and (3) be under supervision from counselor education program faculty.
   16. Site supervisors have (1) a minimum of a master’s degree, preferably in counseling, or a related profession; (2) relevant certifications and/or licenses; (3) a minimum of two years of pertinent professional experience in the specialty area in which the student is enrolled; (4) knowledge of the program’s expectations, requirements, and evaluation procedures for students; and (5) relevant training in counseling supervision.
   17. Orientation, consultation, and professional development opportunities are provided by counselor education program faculty to site supervisors.
   18. Written supervision agreements define the roles and responsibilities of the faculty supervisor, site supervisor, and student during practicum and internship. When individual/triadic practicum supervision is conducted by a site supervisor in consultation with counselor education program faculty, the supervision agreement must detail the format and frequency of consultation to monitor student learning.

PRACTICUM AND INTERNSHIP COURSE LOADS

19. When individual/triadic supervision is provided by the counselor education program faculty or a student under supervision, practicum and internship courses should not exceed a 1:6 faculty:student ratio. This is equivalent to the teaching of one 3-semester credit hour or equivalent quarter credit hour course of a faculty member’s teaching load assignment.
20. When individual/triadic supervision is provided solely by a site supervisor, and the counselor education program faculty or student under supervision only provides group supervision, practicum and internship courses should not exceed a 1:12 faculty:student ratio. This is equivalent to the teaching of one 3-semester credit hour or equivalent quarter credit hour course of a faculty member’s teaching load assignment.
21. Group supervision of practicum and internship students should not exceed a 1:12 faculty:student ratio.
22. When counselor education program faculty provide supervision of students providing supervision, a 1:6 faculty:student ratio should not be exceeded. This is equivalent to the teaching of one 3-semester or equivalent quarter credit hours of a faculty member’s teaching load assignment.

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