Beginning in the second year of the program and continuing throughout the remainder of the program (a minimum of seven semesters), students integrate their academic knowledge with practical experiences through a series of practicum experiences. Practicum training is sequential, cumulative and graded in complexity, and provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate profession-wide competencies. The first year of practicum training is at internal sites (i.e., Psychology Training Clinic or Assessment, Support and Counseling Centers) where students are supervised by core program faculty. Practica involve opportunities to work with diverse and underserved populations. Students progress from gaining culturally relevant competency in assessment and evidence-based interventions, to preparing for more advanced supervisory, consultation, and organizational leadership roles in applied settings.
Practicum Sites and Supervision: Placements include on and off campus practice settings. In addition to on-site supervision, students also participate in group supervision with a faculty member who is a licensed psychologist.
- Psychology Training Clinic
- Community-Based Clinic
- Assessment Support and Counseling (ASC) Centers
- School-Based Mental Health placements
- Counseling and Psychological Services Center
- University-Based Counseling Center
- Crossroads Counseling Center, Hickory
- Daymark Recovery Services
- Integrated Behavioral Health Services
- Inpatient Hospitals
- North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Placement: Practicum placements are made by the core program faculty in consultation with the student and sites. Student trainees are evaluated by on-site clinical supervisors. Practicum grades are assigned by supervising faculty in consultation with on-site supervisors.
Background Check: Some practicum sites require a criminal background check and drug screen before starting (cost covered by student). Students should check with the Director of Clinical Training to determine what is required for each practicum.