Practicum and Internships

Because enrollment is limited in each section during the practicum and internship, the faculty must plan ahead to meet student needs. Space is limited due to the tutorial approach in the practicum and internship courses. Students must file a statement of their intent to complete the practicum or internship by the middle of the semester prior to the semester in which they wish to begin this fieldwork. They also are required to submit proof of liability insurance and to obtain Act 33 and 34 clearance verifying that they have not committed a felony and that they have not been indicated as a perpetrator of child abuse, prior to enrolling for the practicum or internship. Students can purchase liability insurance through student membership in the American Counseling Association. Forms are available from the graduate student services office.

The practicum course is comprised of weekly group seminars in which students learn counseling skills and techniques. In addition, practicum students meet with a faculty supervisor for an additional hour each week. During the semester-long practicum students will complete 100 hours of fieldwork in counseling, which includes at least 40 hours of direct contact with clients.

The internship is a full-time placement directed by a supervisor on site as well as by a program faculty member who will meet with students in a weekly internship seminar. The internship ordinarily lasts two semesters and is offered in the spring and summer semesters. The marriage and family internship is a 6-credit, 600 hour internship. The mental health internship is a 9-credit, 900 hour internship. The elementary school counseling internship and the secondary school counseling internship are each 300 hours. In order to receive supervision for their experience, students must be enrolled for at least 3 internship credits each semester of their internship placement. Students who complete the internship over the course of two or three semesters, must be enrolled in a 3-credit internship seminar each semester of placement in an internship. Additional details of setting up the internship, supervision, course expectations, and requirements are outlined in the Geneva College master’s in counseling practicum and internship manual.