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 reasoning behind this is the idea 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.
Alternative Opportunities Inc.
Alzheimers Association - Southwest Missouri Chapter
Big Brother/Big Sister of the Ozarks
Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield
Burrell Behavioral Health - Autism Center
Burrell Behavioral Health - Bramblewood and Milano House
Burrell Behavioral Health - KLASS (Kids Learning About Social Skills) Program
Burrell Behavioral Health - Show Me Kids Research
Burrell Behavioral Health - Transitions
Carol Jones Recovery Center for Women
Community Alternative Sentencing Program
Community Hospices of America - SWMO
Community Partnerships Caring Communitites Initiative
Greene County Children's Division
Greene County Juvenile Justice Center
Lakewood Residential—Lakeland Regional Hospital
Life Crisis Services/Provident (St Louis)
Missouri Psychological Association
Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation
Rivendale Institute of Learning
Safe BASE Afterschool Programs
Salvation Army Family Enrichment Center
Springfield Marriage and Family Institute
Springfield Public Schools’ School Psychology
St. John’s Children’s Hospital-Child Life
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, the student should contact the practicum coordinator, Dave Lutz. The student completes the first three pages of the Career Center's Initial Work Report, and then contact the practicum coordinator to finish completing forms. 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 for PSY 499, the student must complete about 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 write an integrative paper and keep a journal. 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.