Instructions for Completing the 654 Learning Agreement
Students should complete a 654 learning agreement for each semester they are in the PSC.
The following outlines the number of credit hours students should register for PSYC 654:
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1st year students should register for 1 credit hour, but do not need a learning agreement
because they are not seeing clients
2nd year students should register for 2 credit hours,
3rd year students or beyond should register for 3 credit hours.
Students enrolled during the summer session should consult the clinical supervisor and
determine the appropriate number of credit hours based on the anticipated client load.
Students are responsible for obtaining appropriate signatures and submitting to the graduate
secretary. The DCT will collect the forms (after all signatures are obtained) and sign and submit
them to the graduate secretary, who will register all students in PSYC.
Dates to enter for the agreement:
In general your learning agreements should end as the next agreement starts, so you
are continuously under a learning agreement. This will make clear that your work in
the PSC continuously was related to coursework at NIU. Here are the specifics for
what to enter for the “Valid Dates of Agreement” on the form:
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Fall: learning agreements should begin on the first day of the fall
term and end on the first day of the spring term.
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Spring: learning agreements should begin on the first day of the
spring term and end on the first day of the summer term.
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Summer: learning agreements should begin on the first day of the
summer term and end on the first day of the fall term. For first year
students who would not yet have a learning agreement in place, the
first day should reflect the first day you are attending supervision
meetings, which is likely before the first day of summer session.
Hours and evaluations should be turned in to the Graduate Secretary at the end of each
semester. Students will receive an IP (in progress) for each semester they are enrolled in the
PSC until they have completed their training (typically the spring semester of their 3rd year).
When the clinical faculty has determined you have completed your PSC clinical training, you
will receive an S (Satisfactory). You may choose, if space is available, to register for another
semester of PSYC 654 after the successful completion of this in-house clinical training to gain
further hours. Again IP’s will be given if you stay in the clinic more than one consecutive
semester, with the S marking the end of the time in the PSC.
654 (PSC) Learning Agreement
This document must be completed before registering for PSYC 654 practicum. Students are
responsible for obtaining the appropriate signatures.
Student: __________________________
Year in Program:____________________
ZID:
Semester of registration: ______________
__________________________
University
Instructor: Dr. Laura Pittman
Clinical
Supervisor: ________________________
Valid Dates of Agreement: __________________________
Number of Credit hours: __________
The student named above will be given clinical assignments during his/her enrollment in the
Northern Illinois University course indicated above. The nature and number of the clinical
assignments will depend on the opportunities that become available during the student’s
enrollment and the agreement between the student and the clinical supervisor. The clinical
assignments will be determined and supervised by the clinical supervisor. The student’s
performance on the clinical assignments will constitute 100% of his/her course grade. All parties
understand that the instructor is delegating day-to-day supervision to the clinical supervisor, and
the student will be supervised by the clinical supervisor, but may also be supervised by the
instructor. All parties also understand that the clinical supervisor will provide feedback on the
student’s performance to the instructor to facilitate evaluation and grading.
Terms and conditions agreed by:
_______________________________________________________________________
Student’s signature
Date
_______________________________________________________________________
Supervisor’s signature
Date
_______________________________________________________________________
University Instructor’s signature (DCT)
Date
Office use only:
 registered
 entered in database