practicum
{{Short description|Practical work experience for students}}Work Practicum is the American term for a work placement and is an undergraduate or graduate-level course, often in a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students supervised practical application of a previously or concurrently studied field or theory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practicum|title=Definition of PRACTICUM|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-04}} Practicums (student teaching) are common for education, mental health counselor, and social work majors. In some cases, the practicum may be a part-time student teaching placement that occurs the semester before a student's full-time student teaching placement.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-01 |title=My Student Teaching Experience {{!}} A publish.illinois.edu site - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |url=https://publish.illinois.edu/uistudteachkss/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-10 |title=Student Teaching Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/advice/faq/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=School of Education |language=en}}
The process resembles an internship; however, a practicum focuses on observation over work experience.{{Cite web |title=What is the Difference Between a Practicum and an Internship? |url=https://www.bestcounselingdegrees.net/faq/what-is-the-difference-between-a-practicum-and-an-internship/ |access-date=2019-10-04 |website=Best Counseling Degrees |language=en-US}} In the case of student teaching placements within the United States, students gain insight into the professional responsibilities of classroom teachers by working under the direct supervision of experienced, state-licensed educators.{{Cite web|url=https://www.education.iastate.edu/educator-prep-program/practicum|title=Practicum and Clinical Experiences|website=Iowa State University|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}} Student educators work directly with cooperating teachers to plan and implement effective lessons using a variety of teaching strategies and methods to provide differentiated instruction within classrooms and meet the needs of diverse students.{{Cite news |last=Ferlazzo |first=Larry |date=2023-11-17 |title=What Does Successful Differentiated Instruction Look Like in the Classroom? |url=https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-what-does-successful-differentiated-instruction-look-like-in-the-classroom/2023/11#:~:text=Teachers%20who%20practice%20differentiation%20in,banks,%20etc.)%20to%20support |access-date=2025-02-25 |work=Education Week |language=en |issn=0277-4232}} To ensure the safety of students and faculty members, background checks are required and must be completed before any teaching candidate can begin their practicum experience.{{Cite web|url=https://education.missouristate.edu/services/practicum-policies.htm|title=Practicum Policies|website=Missouri State University|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}
Use in Mental Health Training
In the United States, the term "practicum" refers to a specific type of training experience that is a core component of educational programs in fields such as psychology, counseling, social work, and other health-related disciplines.{{Cite web |title=Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology |url=https://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/standards-of-accreditation.pdf |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.apa.org}} This hands-on training is conducted at designated sites where trainees gain practical experience under the supervision of experienced professionals.{{Cite web |title=2016 CACREP Standards |url=https://www.cacrep.org/for-programs/2016-cacrep-standards/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=CACREP |language=en-US}} Practicum sites are often clinics, hospitals, or community service agencies where students apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, interact with clients, and develop clinical skills essential for their professional development.{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Resources for the Regulation of Practicum Experience for Licensure Requirements |url=https://asppb.net/wp-content/uploads/Resources-for-the-Regulation-of-Practicum-Experience-for-Licensure-Requirements.pdf |archive-date= |access-date=2025-02-25}} Some graduate programs have dedicated practicum sites for their students to attend.{{Cite web |title=Wright Institute Advanced Supplemental Assessment Practicum |url=https://www.wi.edu/training-wiac |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=The Wright Institute |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Practicum at the Sentio Counseling Center |url=https://sentio.org/scc |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Sentio University |language=en-US}} Other graduate schools have students find external practicum sites,{{Cite web |title=Supervised Practicum Sites - Masters in Counseling Psychology {{!}} Pacifica |url=https://www.pacifica.edu/student-services/practicums-internships-fieldwork/supervised-practicum-sites/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Pacifica Graduate Institute |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Top student questions regarding practicum and internships |url=https://www.xavier.edu/counseling/clinical-mental-health/top-student-questions-regarding-practicum-and-internships |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Xavier University |language=en}} which has been reported as challenging by some students.{{Cite journal |last=Warren |first=Jeffrey M. |last2=Schwarze |first2=Mark |date=2017 |title=Exploring Internship Experiences of Counselors-in-Training through Pinterest: A Consensual Analysis |url=https://doi.org/10.7729/92.1139 |journal=The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision |doi=10.7729/92.1139 |issn=2164-3288|doi-access=free }}{{Cite journal |last=Galán |first=Chardée A. |last2=Boness |first2=Cassandra L. |last3=Tung |first3=Irene |last4=Pedersen |first4=Sarah L. |last5=Jones |first5=Neil P. |date=2023-05-11 |title=A Commentary on “Systemic Challenges in Health Service Psychology Internship Training: A Call to Action From Trainee Stakeholders” |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026231156597 |journal=Clinical Psychological Science |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=180–184 |doi=10.1177/21677026231156597 |issn=2167-7026}}{{Cite web |last=Otte |first=Brionna |title=What I Wish I Had Known Before Starting at Touro University Worldwide |url=https://www.emmentalhealth.com/blogformftstudents/what-i-wish-i-had-known-touro-university-worldwide |access-date=2025-02-25 |website= |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=dc |date=2024-06-19 |title=PMHNP Psychotherapy Practicum Sites: Why They’re Hard to Get |url=https://mydenvertherapy.com/pmhnp-psychotherapy-practicum-sites-why-theyre-hard-to-get/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-02 |title=Rejected of two rounds of applications and interviews for Counseling Practicum? |url=https://www.careervillage.org/questions/873456/rejected-of-two-rounds-of-applications-and-interviews-for-counseling-practicum |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=careervillage.org |language=en}} The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) provide guidelines and standards for practicum experiences, ensuring that they meet the educational requirements necessary for licensure and professional practice.