Practicum in Psychology
For more information contact:
Cooperative Education at (417) 836-4135 or Dave Lutz at (417) 836-5830
Purpose
"Why do a practicum?"
Psychology 499 is designed to offer students the opportunity to obtain experience through guided research or field experience
Prerequisites
"When can I do a practicum?"
Students are supposed to have taken Psychology 121 plus 17 additional hours of psychology. While not rigid about these prerequisites, students are rarely allowed to enroll in PSY 499 with less than 18 hours in psychology. The reason for this is that this experience should allow the student to integrate his/her academic experience with "the real world".
Finding a Practicum
"Where can I do a practicum?"
There are three ways to obtain a practicum. The first is to use a site from those at which we have had students in the past or sites that have expressed an interest in having psychology students. You can see this list below. Click on a particular site, and you can find out information about that site. Second, talk with the Cooperative Education office in Carrington 303 (836-4135). They have listings of placement sites, and have talked with the placements about their needs and requirements. You should probably do this at the beginning of the semester prior to when you want to participate in the practicum. So, if you want to do a practicum in the summer or fall semester, you should probably begin talking with the Co-Op office at the beginning of the spring semester. The other way to obtain a practicum is to develop one on your own. If you know of a potential placement site, talk with the supervisor there. If this might be a possibility, then talk with Dave Lutz (Hill 424; 836-5830) to see whether the proposed site would be appropriate for a psychology practicum.
Alzheimers Association - Southwest Missouri Chapter
Alternative Opportunities Inc.
Big Brother/Big Sister of the Ozarks
Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield
Burrell Behavioral Health Show-Me Kids Research
Burrell Center - Bramblewood and Milano House
Burrell Center - KLASS (Kids Learning About Social Skills) Program
Burrell Behavioral Health - Transitions
Carol Jones Recovery Center for Women
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of
Community Alternative Sentencing Program
Community Hospices of America - SWMO
Community Partnerships Caring Communitites Initiative
Greene County Children's Division
Lakewood Residential—
Missouri Psychological Association
Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation
Rivendale Institute of Learning
Safe BASE Afterschool Programs
Salvation Army Family Enrichment Center
Springfield Public Schools’ School Psychology
St John's - Human Resources
St John's - Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation
St. Louis County Victims of Crime Assistance Program
State of Missouri Legislative Internship
Online forms and paperwork
"What do I need to fill out?"
Once the student has obtained a practicum, then online forms and paperwork are completed to enroll the student. The student completes the first page of the Psychology Department's PSY 496 498 499 online form and the Career Center's Initial Work Report. After completing these forms, the student takes them to the Practicum director, typically Dave Lutz. The student and the Practicum director will complete the forms appropriately. The student is given permission to enroll in PSY 499, at which time the student enrolls online.
Completing the Practicum
"How many work hours are involved?"
For each hour of academic credit, the student must complete about 42-45 hours on site. For a typical three hour course, this means completing about 125 hours on site. In addition to hours on site, the student must also keep a journal and write an integrative paper. Students may complete a practicum during any school term. Beginning and ending dates are flexible. For all requirements, see a course policy statement.
Benefits
"What do I get out of it?"
- Students are often asked, "Do you have any experience?" Once you complete a practicum, you have a great comeback to that question.
- Academic credit and occasionally payment, as about 25% of the practica are paid.
- You may have thought that you wanted to work in a field related to psychology, but in a practicum you find out whether you really want to work in this area.
- Sometimes you get to make a difference. Practicum students often report that they put in more time at their practicum because they feel needed and important.