Department of Counseling & Student Affairs
http://www.kutztown.edu/academics/graduate/chs/
Policies and Procedures for Practicum and Internship*
M. A. in Counseling
Mental Health
Child and Adolescent
Couples, Marital & Family Therapy
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Department of Counseling & Student Affairs
Policies and Procedures for Practicum and Internship*
M.A. in Counseling: Mental Health; Child and Adolescent; Couples, Marital & Family Therapy
Table of Contents
Preamble………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I. Practicum Overview…………………………………………………………………………………….
II. Internship Overview…………………………………………………………………………………….
III. Practicum and Internship Prerequisites………………………………………………………..
A.
Successfully Complete All Six Core I Courses…………………………………….
B.
Approved for Candidacy (Required Form and Meeting)…………………..
C.
Orientation to Practicum and Internship (Mandatory Meeting)……..
D.
Submit Intent to Enroll in Practicum (Required Form)……………………..
E.
Professional Organization Membership …………………………………………..
F.
Professional Liability Insurance ………………………………………………………..
G.
Signed Placement Agreement (Required Form)……………………………….
H.
Clearances………………………………………………………………………………………….
IV. Practicum and Internship Registration………………………………………………………….
V. Enrolling in Other Courses with Practicum and Internship…………………………..
VI. Requirements of Approved Sites and Site Supervisors………………………………….
A. Suitable Placement Sites………………………………………………………………………………
B. Site Supervisor Qualifications………………………………………………………………………
C. Required Hours of Supervision…………………………………………………………………….
D. Recording Sessions………………………………………………………………………………………
E. Orientation to the Site…………………………………………………………………………………
F. Number of Client Hours……………………………………………………………………………….
G. Types of Clients……………………………………………………………………………………………
H. Evaluation……………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Department of Counseling & Student Affairs
Policies and Procedures for Practicum and Internship*
http://www.kutztown.edu/academics/graduate/chs/
M. A. in Counseling
Mental Health; Child and Adolescent; Couples, Marital and Family Therapy
Preamble
This document is intended to help students navigate through the counseling practicum and
internship enrollment process. Policies and procedures for practicum and internship in the KU
Department of Counseling and Student Affairs are aligned with professional, ethical, and legal
standards for counselor education and training. The Appendix at the end of this document lists
important practicum and internship components and associated links.
Entering the practice phase of the counseling degree program requires planning and
responsible action on the part of the student. Students may discuss practicum and internship
requirements with their advisor and/or program coordinator at any stage of their program.
Scheduled appointments are advised to assure faculty member availability. Students may use email freely to communicate with faculty and to schedule appointments. Students should check
their KU e-mail regularly for announcements related to practicum and internship.
I. Practicum Overview
COU 580: Practicum is a 3 credit course that meets weekly during the spring semester. Multiple
sections of Practicum (e.g., COU 580201; COU 580202; COU 580301, etc.) are scheduled to
accommodate students in all programs.
Students must attend their practicum site for a total of 100 hours, minimum. They must accrue
at least 40 hours of direct client contact consisting of face-to-face contact actually working with
clients. Observation and shadowing are indirect contact. Other indirect contacts include writing
case notes; developing treatment plans; attending seminars and workshops, preparing for a
session, and logging hours. Practicum students are expected to bring a recorded counseling
session to class with client consent. Toward the end of the practicum placement, practicum
students are evaluated by the course instructor and by the department faculty using the
Student Assessment and Performance Evaluation Rubric (SAPER).
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II. Internship Overview
COU 594: Field Experience (Internship) is taken for 3 credits in the fall and 3 credits in the spring
(total of 6 credits). Students must accrue 600 total clock hours of internship. Class attendance
supplies 90 of these hours. In addition to attending class, interns spend 15 hours per week
(minimum) on site for 35 weeks (this includes breaks). Time off for any reason must be cleared
with the on-site and university supervisor, and must be made up. Students at sites with breaks
(e.g., college counseling centers) need to spend more than 15 hours per week on-site in order
to achieve the required total number of hours. Students should expect to attend their site
during the winter break.
Counseling interns must accrue 240 face-to-face hours (minimum) with clients. This is an
average of seven clients per week for 35 weeks. The following guidelines apply to the tracks:
 Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will develop a wide range of clinical skills
related to mental health issues and populations, and will develop specialized skills in the
planned program of study.
 Couples, Marital and Family Therapy students will develop a wide range of clinical skills
related to mental health issues and populations, will provide several cases of systemsbased therapy, and will receive substantial systems supervision.
 Child and Adolescent Counseling students will develop a wide range of clinical skills
related to mental health issues and populations, and will spend substantial time
providing counseling to children and adolescents.
 College Counseling students will develop a wide range of clinical skills related to mental
health issues and populations, and will spend the majority of time providing clinical
counseling services to college students.
Interns participate in activities intended to develop their skills and dispositions in advocacy,
multiculturalism, addictions, crisis management, career counseling, testing and assessment,
diagnosis, support for human potential, and other professional and ethical practice standards.
These standards are primarily based on the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related
Educational Programs (CACREP, 2009), the American Counseling Association (2005), the
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and the PA State Board.
Interns are responsible for understanding and following university and department policies,
procedures, and standards associated with their role and position. Interns are evaluated by the
Department Faculty using the Student Assessment and Performance Evaluation Rubric (SAPER)
toward the end of both the fall and spring semester of internship.
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III. Practicum and Internship Prerequisites
A. Successfully Complete All Six Core I Courses
Core I courses include: Professional Orientation and Ethics, Fundamentals of Counseling, Career
Counseling, Intercultural Counseling, Group Processes Seminar, and Counseling Theories
Seminar.
B. Approved for Candidacy (Required Form and Meeting)
Students are required to be approved for candidacy prior to practicum. Students file for
candidacy after completing 12 credits, and before completing 24 credits. Candidacy forms are
available on the department website and outside of the COU main office (fourth floor of Old
Main A-Wing). Students are required to schedule an appointment with their advisor to discuss
their planned program of study when filing for candidacy. Appointments may be scheduled
through e-mail or in person.
C. Orientation to Practicum and Internship (Mandatory Meeting)
Students must attend the Orientation to Practicum and Internship meeting no later than the
spring before the practicum semester. This meeting is held on campus every second Monday in
April. Matriculated students are sent official notices of this meeting beginning mid-March via
KU e-mail. Please check your student KU e-mail regularly! Students who do not attend the
Orientation to Practicum and Internship meeting, for whatever reason, must obtain the
advisor’s approval to file an Intention to Enroll in Practicum form (see next section). Students
may attend the Orientation to Practicum and Internship meeting at any phase of the program.
Students are only required to attend this meeting once.
D. Submit Intent to Enroll in Practicum (Required Form)
The Intention to Enroll in Practicum form is due to the department secretary by April 15 th the
year before taking practicum. For example, a student planning to graduate May, 2018 takes
internship fall 2017 and spring 2018; takes practicum spring 2017, and files the Intention to
Enroll in Practicum form by April 15th, 2016. The Intention to Enroll in Practicum form is
available on the Counseling & Student Affairs website, outside of the COU Main Office (fourth
floor of Old Main A-Wing), and at the Orientation to Practicum and Internship meeting (see
section III.C. above). The Intention to Enroll in Practicum form is essential for department
course scheduling. Students who do not submit this form with the department secretary by the
due date are not guaranteed a seat in practicum.
E. Professional Organization Membership
As part of your development as a professional counselor you are required to become a student
member of the American Counseling Association. You also have the option to join other
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professional associations related to your area(s) of interest or specialty. Other professional
associations that may be of interest are listed on the COU website. Joining state organizations,
such as the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) and the Pennsylvania Association of
Marriage and Family Therapy, is also encouraged. Proof of student membership in the
American Counseling Association is due the third Monday in October before practicum.
F. Professional Liability Insurance
As a student member of the American Counseling Association you are provided professional
liability insurance with coverage of 1,000,000 - 3,000,000 at no extra charge. Proof of liability
insurance (Evidence of Insurance Form) is due by the third Monday in October before
practicum.
G. Signed Placement Agreement (Required Form)
The practicum and internship placement agreement lists the basic responsibilities required of
the student, the site supervisor, the placement site, and the university supervisor. Students
should contact sites to express interest in their clinical practicum and internship training
program; identify needed clearances; arrange interviews, and secure a signed agreement by the
3rd Monday in October for Practicum, and by the 2nd Monday in April for Internship.
H. Clearances
For the M.A. in Counseling and M.Ed. in Student Affairs – College Counseling Programs, the
COU Department does not check student clearances before practicum or internship.
Practicum and internship placement agreements (see III. G. above) require site supervisors to
confirm reviewing student clearances. Students should identify clearances required by site(s) of
interest and apply for them between May and September to me the deadline. Most sites will
require a Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check (SP4-164), which is applied for on-line but can
take several weeks to get back; and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (CY113),
which must be applied for through the mail and takes about 14 days to get back. Some sites
require an FBI Criminal Background Check (requires fingerprinting), which can be done at the
KU bookstore by appointment. A few sites require TB testing, which is done in most doctors’
offices. Links for clearances are on the department website.
Students will be not registered for practicum or internship until the supervisor has confirmed
reviewing clearances on the placement agreement.
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/findaform/childabusehistoryclearanceforms/index.htm,
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ucmprd/groups/webcontent/documents/form/s_001769.pdf.
Students will not be registered for practicum until all prerequisites are completed.
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IV. Practicum and Internship Registration
Students are registered in practicum (COU 580) and internship (COU 594) by the department
secretary upon the advisor’s approval; after all prerequisites are satisfied. Registration in
practicum and internship is done by the department secretary and requires faculty advisor
clearance. Students cannot register themselves for practicum (COU 580) or internship (COU
594)!
V. Enrolling in Other Courses with Practicum and Internship
Students may enroll in two additional courses while enrolled in practicum (9 credits total), and
one additional course while enrolled in internship (6 credits total each semester). Requests to
take more than this number of credits must be approved by the faculty advisor and may require
approvals by the Department Chair and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
Students planning to take courses along with practicum or internship should register for these
courses as soon as registration opens. Students will be registered in a section of practicum or
internship that does not conflict with other scheduled course(s). If a student is unable to attend
class on a specific week-night, for reasons other than class, they should inform the department
secretary of this conflict as soon as registration opens. In the unlikely event that a student’s
course schedule conflicts with all available sections of practicum or internship, the student’s
advisor and program coordinator will facilitate a resolution.
VI. Requirements of Approved Sites and Site Supervisors
A. Suitable Placement Sites
Placement sites must be able to meet the requirements outlined on the practicum and
internship agreement. Private practices, college counseling centers, mental health clinics,
hospitals, and other community agencies may serve as placement sites. Approved sites may
serve any of a number of populations (e.g., addictions, trauma, foster care clients, elderly).
Students are responsible for assuring that their placement site can provide clients identified in
their planned program of study (see section II. above). A list of potential placement sites is
provided to students following the mandatory Practicum and Orientation meeting.
B. Site Supervisor Qualifications
Site supervisors must have a master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related profession
from a regionally accredited institution. Site supervisors are preferred to have the following
qualifications: 1) five (of the last 10) years providing direct service to clients; 2) hold a license
and/or be certified in their field, 3) have experience supervising. Supervisors must be employed
at the site where the student is placed. Supervisors who do not meet the preferred
qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Generally, supervisors working on
obtaining their license are approved if all other requirements are met.
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C. Required Hours of Supervision
One hour per week (minimum) of face-to-face supervision is required. Practicum students may
be supervised individually or triadically (one supervisor and two students). Interns must be
supervised individually. A supervisor who takes time off for any reason (sickness, vacation, etc.)
may assign a substitute who meets the qualifications in IV.B. Missed supervision sessions
should be made up. A permanent change of supervisor requires a new site contract.
D. Recording Sessions
Placement sites must allow students to record sessions to be used for training purposes with
client written consent. Client consent is placed in the client’s file according to site policy. Copies
of client consent for the university supervisor must blank-out all client identity information.
Students must be observed in a live or recorded session by the on-site supervisor. In addition,
trainees must be able to record sessions for the university training group. Video recordings are
preferred. Exceptions to this policy will only be considered if evidence is presented that CACREP
and PA Board regulations are followed. Requests for exceptions must be made with the
program coordinator and faculty supervisor prior to submitting a signed agreement.
E. Orientation to the Site
Trainees must be provided with an orientation to agency policy and procedure that minimally
includes a review of: practice issues, crisis management, referrals, records keeping and storage,
use of consultation, plan for supervision, available training opportunities and professional
development resources. Orientation is often included as part of the training, but sometimes is
required prior to starting the placement.
F. Number of Client Hours
Sites must be able to provide enough clients so that students can meet the number of face-toface contact hours required by accreditation and licensing bodies. A site’s capacity to provide
clients does not guarantee a student’s readiness to see clients. Students may need to see more
clients later in the internship year if fewer than clients seen earlier in the year.
Practicum students may shadow and do co-therapy before seeing clients alone; however, they
must accrue a minimum of 40 hours of direct client contact and must spend 100 hours on-site
during the practicum semester (6.5 hours per week minimum for 15 week semester).
Interns must have significant responsibility as the primary provider of counseling and therapy
services with clients. Interns usually build their client caseload gradually, but they must accrue
240 clock hours (minimum) of direct experience with clients from the beginning of the fall until
the end of the spring semester.
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G. Types of Clients
Students may be assigned to work with various types of clients. As discussed in the Internship
Overview (see p. 2), interns should work with at least some clients from the population stated
in their program of study (i.e., college students, children and adolescents, couples and families).
Interns must have at least one experience working with groups. Interns may work with clients
primarily in groups. Group, family, and couple hours are counted the same as individual hours;
not multiplied by the number of individuals attending a session. Specific requirements for group
counseling experiences are set by individual faculty supervisors.
The degree of complexity of clients assigned to interns should increase over time. Interns who
do not demonstrate increased competency should be recommended by the site supervisor for
remediation as soon as possible after a concern is identified.
H. Evaluation
Site-supervisors are required to evaluate the student-counselor’s progress and performance.
Site supervisors will also provide feedback on aspects of the department’s training program.
Students are required to obtain client evaluations and to conduct self-evaluations. Faculty
supervisors will consider on-site supervisor and client evaluations as part of their assessment of
student counselor performance.
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Appendix A
Definitions, Resources and Links for
Practicum and Internship in Counseling
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): The premier national organization for
professional marriage and family therapists http://www.cacrep.org/template/index.cfm. The AAMFT
code of ethics can be found at: http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/legal_ethics/code_of_ethics.aspx
American Counseling Association (ACA): The premier national organization for professional counselors
http://www.counseling.org/. The ACA code of ethics can be found at:
http://www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA): The national organization for professional
mental health counselors http://www.amhca.org/
Candidacy: An approval of Candidacy represents the COU department’s confirmation of the student’s
planned program of study and review of the Student Assessment of Performance Evaluation Rubric.
Students file for candidacy with their faculty advisor after completing 12 credits but before completing
24 credits. Candidacy forms for each program of study can be found outside of the COU main office and
on the department website.
Child and Adolescent Counseling (C&A) Program: The C&A counseling program is structured to meet
CACREP standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs and PA Licensing Board educational
requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors. The C&A program requires 18 credits of coursework
in child and adolescent issues and supervised practice counseling children and adolescents.
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter49/chap49toc.html
Clearances: Basic criminal and health safety checks required by most health and human service
agencies. The two most frequently required clearances at practicum and internship counseling sites are
the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and the Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal
Record Check (see this Appendix). The FBI Clearance and TB Testing are also required by some sites.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program: The CMHC program is structured to meet CACREP
standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs and PA Licensing Board educational
requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors. Students in the CMHC program work with their
advisor to plan a program of study that includes 18 credits in special topics and emergent issues in
counseling http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter49/chap49toc.html
College Counseling Program: The College Counseling program is structured to meet CACREP standards
for programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and PA Licensing Board educational requirements for
Licensed Professional Counselors. Students in the College Counseling program specialize in young adult
and college issues in their coursework and in practicum and internship.
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter49/chap49toc.html
Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP): The National
accreditation body for counselor education training programs. CACREP accreditation is currently being
pursued for all COU licensure programs. http://www.cacrep.org/template/index.cfm. CACREP Program
Standards are available at: http://www.cacrep.org/doc/2009%20Standards%20with%20cover.pdf
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Couples, Marital and Family Therapy (CMFT) Program: The CMFT program is structured to meet CACREP
standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Couple, Marriage and Family Counseling programs.
The CMFT Program is structured to meet the PA Licensing Board educational requirements for Marriage
and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors.
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter48/chap48toc.html
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter49/chap49toc.html
Department of Counseling & Student Affairs (COU): The flagship graduate department at Kutztown
University, COU has five graduate degree programs that meet the Pennsylvania Board’s educational
requirements for professional counselor licensure. The CMFT program also meets PA Licensing Board
educational requirements for the marriage and family therapy license. The COU website provides
information on clearances, professional organizations, updates about new sites, recent policy changes,
and all of the forms needed for planning practicum and internship.
http://www.kutztown.edu/academics/graduate/chs/
FBI Clearance: This clearance includes fingerprinting, and can be done at some police stations. The KU
Bookstore is an official PDE fingerprinting site. To process your registration, follow this link
www.kubstore.com<https://owa.kutztown.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=8PsC7gC6zEW2NKe3lCKYr0qcOqn8i9
BIP7CPY2X-it-YmzsyTPTyWc09Hb2bLSTlOF5FBH7bNDc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.kubstore.com.
Fingerprinting hours are 8 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Intention to Enroll in Practicum Form: This form must be completed by April 15th the year prior to the
practicum semester, and can be found on the department website and outside of the department main
office. The Intention to Enroll in Practicum form is also available at the Orientation to Practicum and
Internship Meeting held on the second Monday in April.
http://www.kutztown.edu/academics/graduate/chs/
Internship/Field Experience (COU 594): Taken as 3 credits in the fall and 3 credits in the spring, this
intensive supervised practice phase of the counselor training program includes 15 hours per week
(minimum) of supervised on-site training and a weekly class with assignments.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT): MFT refers to a person granted a license in marriage and
family therapy by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional
Counselors. The department’s CMFT program is structured to meet the educational requirements for
the PA MFT. Students planning to become licensed in another state should check course requirements
for that state and discuss a plan with their advisor (for link, see below State Board…).
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): LPC refers to a person granted a license in professional
counseling by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional
Counselors. All licensure programs in the department are structured to meet the educational
requirements for the PA LPC. Students planning to become licensed in another state should check
course requirements for that state and discuss a plan with their advisor (for link, see State Board…).
National Board for Certified Counselors: National counselor organization that sets educational standards for
and that administers the National Counselor Examination used for both national certification and state
counselor licensure. http://www.nbcc.org/
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Orientation to Practicum and Internship Meeting: This mandatory meeting every second Monday in April
provides a comprehensive review of practicum and internship requirements. Students learn about
CACREP, PA State Board standards, and all facets of practicum and internship planning and scheduling.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance: This form must be completed and sent by mail with a fee.
Turnaround is 14 days from the date received. Most agencies require this clearance.
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ucmprd/groups/webcontent/documents/form/s_001762.pdf
Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check: Form submitted on-line or by mail with a
fee. Turnaround time varies depending on volume of requests. Most agencies require this clearance.
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ucmprd/groups/webcontent/documents/form/s_001769.pdf
Placement Agreement: The Placement Agreement is signed by the site supervisor, the student, and the
faculty supervisor, to confirm the requirements of the placement. Practicum agreements are due to the
advisor by the 3rd Monday in October before practicum. Internship agreements are due to the practicum
instructor by the 3rd Monday in April before internship. Practicum and Internship agreements appear on
the department website http://www.kutztown.edu/academics/graduate/chs/
Practicum (COU 580): Practicum is a 3 credit course offered every spring semester. Practicum includes a
weekly seminar course with assignments linked to the field placement, and 4 hours per week minimum
of on-site supervised counseling experience. Advance planning is essential to assure that the
prerequisites for practicum are met.
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors: The Board
overseeing professional counselor and marriage and family therapist licensure.
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_board_of_social_workers%2C_marriage
_and_family_therapists_and_professional_counselors/12524
Student Assessment and Performance Evaluation Rubric (SAPER): The SAPER is used to perform
gatekeeping throughout the program; especially at the time of admissions, candidacy, and practicum
and intern student reviews.
Student Handbook: The student handbook is a contract between the student and the department,
which students provide confirmation that they have read upon admission. The Student Handbook
provides a comprehensive summary of department policies, procedures, and program curriculum.
*Due to ongoing program development, the policies and procedures published here may vary slightly
from the most up-to-date information.
April 15, 2014
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