The MRC program is accredited by CACREP, and this means all students complete 700 hours of practicum/internship. Students will complete REH 6140 Counseling Practicum in a summer semester. As part of the practicum experience, students will complete 100 total hours in their practicum setting, with 40 of those hours being direct client contact hours. For internship (REH 6170 Counseling Internship I & REH 6175 Counseling Internship II), the 600 hours are split across two semesters (Fall and Spring). This typically allows students to easily get the required client contact hours (240 hours), and total hours of experience (600) in a variety of settings.
When students have completed 34 credits (or more) and the necessary pre-requisite coursework, they are eligible for the practicum/internship cycle. When starting into the practicum/internship cycle (Summer Semester –REH 6140 Counseling Practicum; Fall Semester –REH 6170 Counseling Internship I; Spring Semester –REH 6175 Counseling Internship II), it is expected that the student will graduate after the following spring semester. There are designated timelines for submitting your practicum and internship applications. The graduate program coordinator and practicum/internship coordinator will send out periodic reminders to help you meet all expected timelines.
For students enrolled full-time, the practicum/internship cycle will begin in their third semester of enrollment (first summer semester). For students enrolled on a part-time basis, this will be after they finishthe required pre-requisites and are on track for graduation in the subsequent spring semester. For students who attend classes on-campus, a few campus-based internship options include:
- Aggies Elevated
- The Employability Clinic
- The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Clinic
For distance students, our practicum/internship coordinators will work with you to find a suitable site. Please keep in mind, state licensing laws may require a specific type of internship with a specific supervisor. It is the responsibility of the student to be familiar with their respective state’s requirements for licensure.
Practicum/Internship students are required to have personal liability insurance as they engage in their practicum/internship cycle. Some options that may work can be found here:
- American Counseling Association (ACA): Individual liability insurance is included with $99 per year Student Membership. This applies to first time master level students only. (1 million per claim and up to 3 million annual aggregate. Insurance is provided through HPSO.)
- Health Care Provider Service Organization (HPSO): Individual liability insurance approximately $38.00 per year for students in rehabilitation counseling field and approximately $135.00 for individuals already working in the field of rehabilitation counseling. (1 million per claim and up to 3 million annual aggregate.)