What is a Practicum/Internship?

Practicum

  • Short-term training experience, while an internship is a longer-term job-like experience. Both provide hands-on experience that helps graduate students apply their knowledge in the real world. Typically a shorter, supervised training experience that is required during a graduate program.

  • Short-term and supervised, involve observing and documenting how professionals perform their jobs, and help students develop understanding. 

  • Focuses on developing foundational counseling skills and understanding.

  • May involve more observation and less independent work than an internship.

  • Often a stepping stone to the internship phase.

Internship

  • More extended and independent than practicums. A more extended and independent experience focused on clinical and professional development.

  • Involve applying skills and knowledge in the workplace.

  • Help students understand how to implement their understanding in the real world.

  • Typically takes place later in a student's program than a practicum.

  • Allows students to work more independently, applying skills and knowledge in real-world settings.

  • Interns are expected to perform duties similar to those of a licensed professional.

  • Often required for licensure or certification in counseling.

Similarities 

  • Both practicums and internships provide hands-on experience.

  • Both involve working under the supervision of professionals.

  • While both practicums and internships are supervised on-site experiences, a counseling practicum student is generally considered a student gaining practical experience, while an intern is often seen as a student closer to independent practice. 

When to use 

  • Practicums are often used to prepare teachers and clinicians.

  • Internships are often required for most majors.

Where to find

  • CACREP has guidelines for practicums and internships for counseling students.

Reference: https://www.google.com/search?q=ptacticum+and+internships&rlz=1CAIGZW_enUS1142&oq=ptacticum+and+internships+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgNGIAEMgkIAhAuGA0YgAQyCQgDEAAYDRiABDIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB4yCAgIEAAYFhgeMggICRAAGBYYHtIBCTQ5OTdqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8