EDCP 619 Practicum in Counseling is designed to accompany the student's initial supervised field placement at an approved practicum site. The course serves two related functions: it addresses the need for on-going group supervision during practicum and provides additional instruction on counseling skill acquisition and ethics to enhance practicum learning outcomes. In addition, it is a pre-requisite for EDCP 888 Internship in Counseling, and together, 619 and 888 complete the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) specified sequence for Clinical Instruction.

1. To facilitate understanding of and adjustment to a supervised practicum field site.

2. To receive on-going group supervision during practicum placement.

3. To evaluate counseling skill acquisition necessary for Internship.

4. To improve proficiency in counseling skills and to demonstrate understanding of the theoretical and philosophical bases of counseling.

5. To identify a tentative personal - theoretical frame of reference.

6. To demonstrate competencies for initiating, maintaining, and terminating a counseling relationship with a wide range of clients, thereby increasing sensitivity to others.

7. To demonstrate cooperation and adaptability to the standards of the clinical setting assigned.

8. To acquire adequate knowledge of available referral sources.

9. To demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to the ethical standards of the profession.

1. Attend all face-to-face sessions and actively participate in all WebBoard virtual group assignments.

2. Make a commitment to complete a minimum of 300 total clock hours of supervised practicum experiences on site and in the classroom.

3. Submit two audio-recorded sessions with client for review and comments by instructor.

4. Hold three peer supervision sessions in pairs or triads scheduled on a monthly basis to review tapes, share ideas, and discuss mutual concerns and problems. Minutes of meetings will be submitted following the completion of each session.

5. Submit weekly one page summary of counseling activities. Emphasis should be on the counselor's personal reflections and FEELINGS.

6. Keep a log of work experience regarding clinical practice. Include summaries of significant interactions, interventions, etc., observed/participated in (role playing, sculpting, history taking).

7. Read assignments of clinical material. The instructor will suggest various articles, books, etc., and whenever possible make such sources available from his personal library.

8. Review the film "Ordinary People" or other as assigned. Further guidance about how film will be reviewed and discussed will be given in class.

9. Arrange a convenient time for the practicum instructor to meet with respective site supervisors for the purpose of discussing the progress, issues, content, and format of the supervision.

10. Plan to meet with the practicum instructor at the designated time mutually agreed upon to jointly evaluate progress in the practicum.

11. Students will submit weekly summaries of the assigned readings on a rotation basis and will present the summaries in class. More details will be provided on the first day of class.

A portion of each class will be devoted to instructional aspects drawing on relevant topics presented in the required texts. However, emphasis will be placed on the group supervision function to include case presentations by students, review of tape and verbatim transcripts, attention to the group dynamics, teamwork, resolution of interpersonal issues as well as concerns with site supervisors, colleagues, etc. Generally, the weekly class sessions are designed to be experiential in nature.

The right to privacy of each client requires that all case material, including audio/video taping and notes etc. obtained during the counseling sessions, be kept confidential and anonymous. Written permission must be obtained before the session begins. In case of clients under the age of 18, law requires written parental consent. The same privilege is extended to the class members during class time throughout the duration of the practicum.