Practicum Guidelines and Procedures (Undergraduate Psychology)

Treat practicum as a job: you are technically considered interns in most places.
The practicum agreement is a legally binding contract.
- You must stay for the entire date range and cannot conclude early by completing all tasks ahead of time.
Dress code is mandatory and exemptions are not typically granted.
Emphasis on professional conduct and accountability, similar to working in a real job.

In-person attendance is required, especially for undergraduate students, since much work cannot be done online in this context.
Weekly meetings with the site supervisor are required.
- Meetings do not have to be formal or lengthy; regular check-ins are sufficient.

The field of psychology is highly collaborative; while independence is valued, don’t hesitate to ask for help as needed.
Undergraduates have limitations compared to graduate students, so use weekly supervisor meetings to learn about day-to-day tasks and expectations.

If time off is necessary (illness or unavoidable circumstances), follow the site’s established protocol.
Treat time off as you would in any other employment situation; do not assume you can take time off without following protocol.

Do not go into practicum with the expectation that you will be performing the full job; view it as a long informational interview to understand day-to-day tasks and experiences.
Use the weekly meetings to ask about what a typical day looks like and what tasks are involved.

Practicum remains a class and has Blackboard assignments and a course withdrawal period.
It’s easy to forget about assignments when you’re doing in-person work, so stay on top of them.
The course withdrawal period is separate from the late work policy (the registrar handles withdrawals).

Late work has a policy that may differ from the course withdrawal policy; the instructor manages the late work policy.
The withdrawal period is managed by the registrar’s office and cannot automatically apply the late policy.
If you anticipate issues, alert the instructor in advance so exceptions can be considered.
A bit of flexibility is allowed for exceptions, but communication is key.

You will log hours throughout the semester via an experiential log; hours are not logged as research writing but as a stream-of-consciousness style log.
The log should cover the required topics, but does not need to be written as formal research prose.
Logs are submitted on Blackboard, but hours often require a site supervisor’s signature.
Plan to upload or submit using the same Microsoft Lens app used previously.
You must stay on top of weekly logging to avoid a large backlog at the end of the term.
Example timing: even if a due date is December 5, ensure the site supervisor signs the log before final submission.
- Build in a buffer window for signatures and possible delays.
- In-person students can obtain signatures directly on-site.

Hours require the site supervisor’s signature to be valid; without the signature, hours may not be accepted, even if signed off by the supervisor.
The signature step is essential to verify completion and progress.

It is possible to have a passing grade even if the site supervisor provides a negative evaluation, depending on context.
However, if the supervisor comments indicate serious issues (e.g., actions that would have resulted in termination or license loss), hours may not be accepted.
The instructor notes that such extreme cases have not occurred historically, but the policy is stated for awareness.

Plan to complete hours one $1\ ext{week}$ early to provide a buffer for signatures and for potential illness or life events.
This proactive approach reduces last-minute pressure and ensures timely documentation.

Graduate students are often expected to manage conflicts directly with the site supervisor.
Undergraduates are encouraged to loop in the instructor if conflicts arise or if difficult conversations occur.
If a conflict arises or guidance is needed, contact the instructor to discuss next steps and potential mediation.

There are three scheduled meetings during the practicum:
- Meeting 1: Regular check-in and course alignment.
- Meeting 2: Student-led discussion focused on questions and planning, including post-graduation plans (e.g., grad programs, certifications), preferences, and career direction.
- Meeting 3: Final check-in focusing on hours completed, signatures, and overall progress.
The meetings are short, but additional meetings can be arranged if conflicts or ethical dilemmas arise.

If you observe something that seems shady or ethically questionable, bring it to the instructor's attention.
Discuss potential ethical dilemmas or unclear actions with the instructor to understand appropriate responses.
It’s appropriate to question practices of others (even those in licensed positions) to ensure ethical and professional conduct.

If you’re unsure how to address a concern with a supervisor, loop in the instructor for guidance.
The goal is to learn through hands-on experiences while maintaining ethical and professional standards.

If anything comes up, you can reach the instructor via email or arrange a meeting—whatever is most convenient for you.

Approach practicum with a professional mindset, strong communication, and proactive planning.
Use the structured meetings to gain clarity on expectations and to plan for success.
Stay organized with hours, signatures, and Blackboard submissions to avoid delays.

One $1\ ext{week}$ buffer recommended for hours planning
A conventional $5$ -day late period exists for late submissions (managed by the instructor)
The registrar handles the formal course withdrawal window (separate from late submissions)
There are $3$ planned meetings in the practicum sequence
Signatures required for hours to be accepted

Confirm contact preferences and any immediate questions with the instructor.
Prepare to engage with the site supervisor, keep communications open, and document experiences for the experiential log.