Practicum and Internship MS in Mental Health Counseling
Students complete their practicum and internship during their last year of their program.
Details of our experiential learning opportunities include:
A 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. These experiences occur independent
of each other with the practicum occurring prior to internship. Students complete
practicum over one term and internship over two terms. Hours from practicum cannot
overlap with hours accrued for internship.
Students engage in practicum and internship experiences that are 18 to 20 hours per
week. Therefore, as standard among many other counseling programs, students are discouraged
from holding full time employment while completing their practicum and internship.
Practicum and internship experiences are conducted in a wide variety of mental health
sites, including residential treatment facilities, inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient
clinics, therapeutic schools and more.
“It was interesting to learn how much treatment needs to be individualized to be effective.
I also found it highly interesting and enjoyable to see growth in my clients, and
hear them tell me how much therapy changed their quality of life.”
“Substance use has always been a bit daunting to me, but I have found such a passion
in working with this population as there are so many overlaps in diversity issues
as well that I am able to advocate for.”