Practicum and Internship Process for Clinical Programs

Practicum and Internship Process Overview

Meet all program prerequisites before applying for $698$ . Practicum ( $698$ ) is required before internship ( $699$ ).
Practicum must be taken prior to the internship.
Students are responsible for finding a qualified site and supervisor.
Application documents are on the website.
Complete separate paperwork for practicum and internship.
Marriage and family therapy and clinical mental health students have different paperwork.
Submit applications via SharePoint, the application portal on the practicum/internship website.
Adhere strictly to deadlines posted on the website.
The practicum and internship office reviews applications to ensure students, sites, and supervisors meet requirements.
CACREP and state requirements guide approvals; the more stringent requirement prevails.
The application process takes about a month; prepare early (a semester in advance).
The practicum and Internship office emails official approval and registers students for the course after paperwork is correct.
Students are placed in a Canvas course with $10$ to $12$ other students.
Clinical mental health program classes will not exceed $12$ students.
Clinical mental health practicum and internship classes are synchronous, meeting weekly for two hours with a faculty supervisor.
Attendance is mandatory; professional demeanor and openness to feedback are essential.
No more than two absences are allowed; these should be reserved for emergencies.

Students are responsible for finding their site and supervisor.
A non-comprehensive site list is available on the website.
Choose a supervisor you can work well with and receive feedback from.
The supervisor should provide constructive criticism and celebrate victories.
Interview the site to ensure it meets your needs.
Both the site and supervisor must complete required documents.
Records are maintained for the student's and the university's benefit and for licensure verification.
Supervisors need a valid state license such as LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or licensed psychologist allowing independent practice.
Credentials not accepted include school counselors, pastoral counselors, LLPC, LMSW, national licenses or certifications, Masters of Divinity, degrees outside of counseling, unaccredited degrees, or licenses with disciplinary action.

Practicum: One semester, $100$ hours total, $40$ direct client contact hours (face-to-face or group counseling, not observation), one hour a week of individual supervision, and related activities for remaining hours.
Internship: At least $600$ hours, $240$ face-to-face client contact hours, group/faculty supervision, no more than two absences, one hour a week of individual supervision (total of $25$ hours over two semesters), and related activities.

Old DCPs (2015-2016) allowed one, two, or three consecutive internship semesters.
DCPs from 2016 onward require two consecutive semesters to complete $600$ internship hours.
Marriage and family therapy programs required that the internship consist of two semesters as of 2018.

Sites may require additional background checks (do not replace Liberty's requirement).
Vaccinations, such as TB tests, may be required.

Clinical mental health program requires synchronous meetings via video platform (WebEx, Microsoft Teams).
Students select preferred meeting days (weekdays or weekends) and times (morning, afternoon, or evening).
Coordinate meeting times with the site supervisor.
Time changes must occur before the class begins.
This course requires two hours of synchronous meetings each week in addition to field hours.

Save all documents as PDFs.
Allocate about 30 minutes for submission.
Find the submission portal on the practicum and internship website, above the deadline date (opens 3-4 weeks prior).
Sign in with Liberty username and password.
Submit each of the eight documents via separate links.