Counseling 638
Practicum in Counseling
Fall 2009
Course Description: Supervised school counseling experience in elementary, middle and
high school setting for 450 clock hours. Students earn 1 credit hour for a minimum of 150
clock hours and must complete all of the field hours for which they are registered by the
end of the semester. Students may re-enroll as many times as necessary to earn the
required 3 credit hours. Prerequisites: EDUC 505,545,555,605, 610 and 612. Graded
Pass/Not Pass. 1-3credits (3 required).
Course Objectives: Professional school counselor candidates successfully completing this
course will be able to show evidence of Educators as Reflective Citizen Leaders through:
Professional Teacher Outcomes:
V1 – Educators as Reflective Citizen Leaders
TC 1 – Plan for Instruction
TC 2 – Implementation and Management of Instruction
TC 3 – Evaluation and Assessment
TC 4 – Knowledge of Subject
TC 5 – Classroom Behavior Management
TC 6 – Communication Skills
TC 7 – Professional Responsibilities
TC 8 – Technology
TC 9 – Diversity
Knowledge
1. Demonstrate familiarity with the day-to-day experiences, role, and expectations of a
professional school guidance counselor. *(V1, TC1, TC2, TC4, TC6, TC7, TC9)
2. Obtain an understanding of the administrative structure within a school system and
specifically within the guidance department or program. *(V1, TC1, TC4, TC6, TC7,
TC9)
3. Obtain a working understanding of the various support system programs (e.g., special
education) within the schools and the surrounding community. *(V1, TC2, TC4, TC6,
TC7, TC9)
Skills
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Don Fleming, Ph.D.
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1. Obtain direct experience via observation and involvement in-group and individual
counseling which addresses such issues as career goals, academic choices/difficulties,
and behavioral, or emotional difficulties. *(V1, TC1, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC6, TC7, TC9)
2. Obtain direct experience via observation and participation in case studies and conferences
with parents and teachers. *(V1, TC1, TC4, TC6, TC7, TC9)
3. Become familiar with the uses of group and individual testing (including scoring, and
interpretation), record keeping procedures, and written report formats. *(V1, TC3, TC4,
TC6, TC7, TC9)
4. Obtain direct experiences via observation and involvement in the designing of a
comprehensive school guidance and counseling program. *(V1, TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4,
TC5, TC6, TC7, TC8, TC9)
5. Obtain direct experience via observation and involvement in implementing the varied
types of services provided by a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program.
*(V1, TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC6, TC7, TC8, TC9)
6. Obtain direct experience via observation and involvement in the evaluation of the various
services provided by a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program. *(V1,
TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC6, TC7, TC8, TC9)
7. Obtain direct experience via observation and involvement in the marketing of the various
services provided by a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program. *(V1,
TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC6, TC7, TC8, TC9)
Dispositions
1. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the diverse potential of all
students. *(V1, TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC9)
2. Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of various forces and events in the
shaping of individuals. *(V1, TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC6, TC7, TC9)
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of counselors, teachers, parents, and
mentors in providing safe and positive environments for development. *(V1,
TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC7, TC9)
4. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the diverse potential of all
students. *(V1, TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, TC5, TC7, TC9)
5. Obtain reflective insights relative to commitment to the ideals, attitudes, and
values generally held as requisite to the field. *(V1, TC7, TC9)
Course Requirements:
Professional school counselor candidates will report for a minimum of 150 clock hours to
each of the three assigned practicum sites (preK-5, 6-8, and 9-12). During the practica,
the student is expected to:
a. Maintain professional conduct and appearance.
b. Report promptly to the practica sites on all scheduled days. If you must be absent
from the sites on a regularly scheduled day, you are required to make
arrangements with the site supervisor as soon as possible before the time of your
regularly scheduled day. You are required to make up any hours missed by
scheduling a mutually agreed upon time with the supervisor.
c. Demonstrate a willingness to perform duties assigned to you by the site
supervisors.
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d. Maintain a daily log that presents a summary of the practica experiences. Your
personal reactions and reflections to the experiences should be included. A
summary (journal) should be submitted electronically to me every two weeks.
e. Meet with practicum course instructor to evaluate practica experiences.
f. Maintain client confidentiality and abide by the Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice of the American Counseling Association.
g. Submit summary of a counseling case and give a brief presentation about your
work with a student (December 4, 2007).
h. Submit a summary of a program design, implementation, evaluation, and
marketing effort (December 4, 2007).
i. It is recommended that the student maintain active membership in the American
Counseling Association (ACA) and/or the Virginia Counselors Association
(VCA).
j. It is recommended that practica students secure professional liability insurance.
Grading
The grade for this course is based on:
25 points 25 points 25 points 25 points -
completion of journal observations and reflections
completion of a case summary and presentation
site supervisor evaluation
completion of a summary of a program design, implementation,
evaluation, and marketing effort
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
F
90 – 100
80 – 89
70 – 79
below 70
NOTES:
The Longwood University practicum supervisor has the final responsibility in determining the
practica grade.
The Longwood Honor Code System governs all work in this class for Graduate Programs. See
the current Longwood Graduate Catalog for details. Students are expected to pledge all work
done for this class. Charges will be brought against any student who violates this policy.
Helpful References:
Capuzzi, D. & Gross, D. (1996). Youth at risk: A prevention resource for counselors, teachers,
and parents. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Corey, G. and Corey, M. (1999). I never knew I had a choice. Pacific Grove, CA:
Brooks/Cole.
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Gerler, E.R., Ciechalski, J.C., and Parker, L.D. (Eds.) (1999). Elementary school counseling in
a changing world. Ann Arbor: Eric Counseling and Personnel Services Clearinghouse.
Schmidt, John J. (2003). Counseling in the schools: Essential services and comprehensive
programs (4th edition). Boston, MA: Education, Inc.
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Don Fleming, Ph.D.
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