What is a Practicum?

A practicum is a learning experience that is typically completed in college, and is frequently included in master’s or other post-graduate programs. These offer college credit as well as a real-world opportunity to work in a specific field. In most cases, in addition to providing work experience, the practicum must include a class meeting or formal recognition a university. In addition to the formal courses that complete a program, many post-graduate or master’s programs require some sort of practicum.

Students will almost always complete one or more semesters of practicum in a variety of settings. Students pursuing teaching certifications are usually required to complete a certain number of hours of student teaching. They are supervised licensed teachers while completing this work, and many are required to teach in a variety of grades and schools in order to receive full credit for their practicum. This formal internship may also include a classwork component, and training teachers may meet with an instructor, as well as other students, on a weekly basis to help round out and reflect the learning experience.

Similarly, many students pursuing a license as a professional counselor or a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy must complete a practicum. A number of these students participate in on-campus or community counseling programs, and they provide counseling to other students while being supervised licensed faculty. They might get together in small or large groups to reflect on what they’ve learned from their practice. In addition to participating for a set number of hours as a training counselor, journaling or paper writing could be part of earning the units.

Accredited master’s in social work programs have some of the most stringent practicum requirements. Students must work for 1000 hours or more in addition to completing 40-50 graduate units. This is usually accomplished over the course of one to two years of formal field placements under the supervision of licensed clinical social workers or master’s degree in social work graduates. It includes a classroom component so that students can reflect on and learn from their field experiences.

Nursing school, medical school, dental school, and some business school models all offer some form of practicum. These trainings are time-consuming, but they have benefits. They assist students in putting what they are learning into practice so that they do not enter a profession without any prior experience. They can also help people starting out in their careers build a professional network and create much stronger resumes.