Missouri State University

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Psychology 

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.

Arc of the Ozarks

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

Camp Ramapo (New York)

Carol Jones Recovery Center for Women

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southwest Missouri

Center for Resolutions

Children's Miracle Network

Community Alternative Sentencing Program

Community Hospices of America - SWMO

Community Learning Center

Community Partnerships Caring Communitites Initiative

Cox Center for Addictions

Cox North Psychiatric Unit

Family Violence Center

Greene County Children's Division

Lakewood Residential—Lakeland Regional Hospital

Life Crisis Services/Provident (St Louis)

Megavolt Human Resources

MERS Goodwill

Missouri Psychological Association

NAMI of Southwest Missouri 

Nova Center of the Ozarks

Ozark Correctional Center

Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation

Parenting Life Skills Center

Pregnancy Care Center

Regional Girls Shelter

Rivendale Institute of Learning

Safe BASE Afterschool Programs

Salvation Army

Salvation Army Family Enrichment Center

Sigma House Recovery 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

Victory House
 


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.