During practicum, you will engage in practical, relevant, and meaningful experiences in a clinical setting. Practicum is your opportunity to observe the workings of counseling sites, apply the knowledge gained in the classroom, and continue to develop your counseling practice through supervised clinical experience. You are strongly encouraged to immerse yourself in the hands-on learning processes – learning beyond what’s simply required is essential for professional and personal growth.
Pre-practicum requirements
Prior to advancing to practicum and enrolling in CMHC 699A, candidates must complete all pre-practicum coursework, obtain liability insurance, and create their CV/resume. Read more about each of the requirements below.
Students must complete all pre-practicum coursework before advancing to practicum, including EDUC 601 (3.0 or higher), EDUC 653, EDUC 655, EDUC 680, CMHC 610, CMHC 613, and CMHC 615.
Students are expected to develop a professional identity through membership in professional organizations. These organizations provide professional development opportunities through workshops, seminars, conferences, and professional publications at little to no additional cost to their student members.
As a CMHC student, you are required to join the ACA as a student member. Student membership provides discounted professional liability insurance, which is required for practicum.
Optional Professional Organizations
Students considering licensure in California as an LPCC or LMFT should also consider joining other organizations such as:
Students must submit a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, which includes information such as educational background, courses completed, volunteer/work experience, pre-practicum and/or practicum experiences, conferences/presentations, skills, or professional membership(s).
Entering the field
During the second year of your program, you will begin your practicum experience in a clinical setting. To enter the field as a counselor trainee, please follow the steps outlined below.
While completing your first year of coursework, begin to think about your areas of interest within clinical counseling and how your practicum experience will align with your professional and personal goals. As practicum plays a central role in your development as a clinical counselor, it is the time for you to explore and learn about the counseling services, spaces, and populations that interest you the most.
You can begin to identify your professional and personal goals by:
- Attending webinars and professional development events
- Discussing your interests with faculty and other counseling students
- Utilizing the Office of Career and Professional Development's resources and services
- Exploring resources available through community partners and professional organizations
All Clinical Mental Health Counseling students must submit the Practicum Eligibility Form along with all pre-practicum requirements to be eligible to begin their practicum.
Practicum eligibility deadlines
| Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | Friday, February 14, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | Friday, May 23, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | Friday, October 3, 2025 |
| Summer 2026 | Friday, February 13, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 | Friday, May 22, 2026 |
When considering where you will complete your practicum experience review each site's mission, purpose, and services offered (direct and indirect). Consider how each potential site may advance your professional and personal goals, as well as allow you to explore your areas of interest.
The University of Redlands must have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with all practicum sites before you can begin. Please review our Active Partnership List to determine whether a partnership is in place with your potential site.
If you are seeking a site outside of this list, please be aware, it can take up to 3 months to establish these partners. To begin the process of requesting a partner that is not currently on the Active Partnership List, please fill out the Partnership Interest Form.
Per the Board of Behavioral Sciences’ Statutes and Regulations, all sites must meet the practicum site requirements, and all supervisors must meet the site supervisor requirements. Review these requirements on the Guidance for Clinical Site Supervisors page.
Once you have identified the sites that interest you the most, you will submit your applications. It is important that you inquire about the process and timeline for placement, recognizing that each site is likely to have its own application process, deadlines, and pace. You may expect sites to request interviews upon review of written applications.
It is advisable that you work with the Office of Career and Professional Development prior to applying, so you can obtain support or feedback on application materials as well as interview preparation.
Upon selection by the site for practicum placement, you will be responsible for having your qualified site supervisor submit the Practicum Site Agreement Form. Provide your site supervisor with the link to the form (https://uredlandscentral.etrieve.cloud?isAnonymous=true#form/428). If you are extending your time at a current/former site, please have your site supervisor submit a new practicum agreement to indicate they agree to supervise you for the extended period of time.
The Office of Licensures and Credentialing (OLC) will review your site and site supervisor against the requirements and will provide additional information regarding eligibility to continue at this site. You should not continue at this site without formal approval from OLC. If you have not heard back within 3 business days, please feel free to reach out at olc@redlands.edu.
Before you commence at the site, become familiar with their policies and procedures and participate in an Orientation. Establish a weekly training and supervision schedule with your clinical supervisor. Be sure to disclose to each client that you are a Counselor in Training and have them complete an Informed Consent Form.
Practicum hour requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 450 clock hours at the conclusion of the practicum experience (these hours are inclusive of face-to-face clinical experience, supervision, in-service/didactic training; staff meetings; documentation; psychoeducation; outreach programming, etc.). In other words, inclusive of direct and indirect hours. Each pathway has a specific requirement of direct hours, as noted below:
- MA CMHC (LPCC licensure): 280 Direct Client Contact DCC
- MA CMHC (LPCC eligible) with MFT specialization: 280 Direct Client Contact DCC hours including 250 DCC and 30 DCC (relational hours)
- Up to 500 DCC relational hours can count toward MFT state licensure
- Relational hours are direct client contact DCC hours
- Relational hours are hours working on relational dynamics. While these are most seen in children/parents, families, and couples, it can also be accomplished working with individuals through a relational lens, such as addressing roommate issues, workplace relational issues, marriage/divorce, anger management, etc.
- Indirect hours include supervision with the site supervisor, documentation (reports, progress notes, and process notes), interdisciplinary team meetings, treatment planning, case management, workshops, and other site-sponsored training sessions
All hours will be submitted using the CMHC Practicum Hour Log.
Have questions? Need support?
Student Success Advisors focus on providing comprehensive support and guidance. Learn more about how to receive support from the Student Success Center.