Field Experiences for Counselor Education

Field experiences are a part of all majors in the Counselor Education program. All students must complete 600 hours of internship, as well as practicum requirements that vary by major. These experiences are designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply and practice the competencies they acquire throughout their training program.

In many instances, the field experiences serve as a steppingstone to future student employment. The field experiences also provide a link between the schools, community, the University and the department counseling unit.

Rehabilitation Counseling

The Rehabilitation Counseling clinical field experience consists of a part-time practicum consisting of 100 hours (RCS 6801) and a full-time internship consisting of 600 hours (RCS 6821). It is completed over the course of two consecutive semesters.

These field experiences are intended to be conducted in a setting that services persons with disabilities. The nature of this experience should be similar to that of a regular rehabilitation counseling position, but with closer supervision. The field experiences will occur at the end of the training program, and the intern is expected to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired in the program.

A major criterion for placement is the credentials of the agency's on-site supervisor, namely possession of at least a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, psychology or clinical social work, and at least three years of experience working with persons with disabilities. CRC certification preferred.

Students must have completed the majority of their coursework (to include the following courses) prior to enrolling in RCS 6801, the practicum that precedes the internship: MHS 5400, MHS 6700, MHS 6802, MHS 6428, MHS 5350, MHS 6511, RCS 6031, RCS 6625, RCS 6245, RCS 6080, MHS 6427, and MHS 6450. Students must have completed all coursework prior to enrolling in RCS 6821 — the internship. All students must have the approval of their advisor to enroll in the field experiences.