Student Counseling Service
Career Practicum
Career Practicum is designed for students who have completed at least one year of graduate work in a counseling field, most often counseling psychology students. Students must meet the Entrance Criteria for Practicum Placement at SCS.
Students are expected to make a commitment for both fall and spring semesters, although advancement from one semester to the next is contingent upon practicum students’ performance. The allocation of time per week in the career practicum is listed below and is subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.
Career Practicum Allocation of Time per Week
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
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| Career Assessment | 6 hrs |
Career Assessment | 5 hrs |
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| Outreach/Group Assessment Interpretation | 2 hrs |
Career Counseling | 3 hrs |
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| Group Supervision | 2 hrs |
Practicum Class | 2 hrs |
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| Practicum Class | 2 hrs |
Individual Supervision | 1 hr |
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| Group Supervision | 1 hr |
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Total |
12 hrs |
Total |
12 hrs |
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The practicum class is taught by a senior staff member, a psychology department faculty member, and potentially a predoctoral intern. The practicum class will cover orientation to SCS, training on relevant clinical issues, clinical skills development, and career and clinical case presentations.
In the fall semester, career practicum trainees will facilitate multiple session assessments with ISU students who are trying to decide on a career path. Trainees will also learn how to recognize student issues that may require career counseling and refer these students for a screening at SCS. Trainees will help to facilitate outreaches across campus about career decision-making and SCS’ services as well as providing group interpretation on career instruments administered in SCS’ Personal Career Development course (LAS 104). Supervision on these activities will be provided in a small group format by the SCS Career Graduate Assistants and the SCS Career Exploration Program Coordinator.
The complexity of services offered by the trainees increases in the spring semester. Career practicum trainees continue to engage in the activities mentioned above, but they also start to see SCS clients struggling with career decision-making and seeking career counseling. Since trainees will be meeting with SCS clients, supervision of these cases will be provided by licensed SCS staff members or interns.
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