The practicum in school psychology: Making use of a university-based psychological service center

Abstract

This paper examines the manner in which a university clinic may be used to provide a portion of a school psychology student's practicum experiences. Advantages highlighted include providing a broader base of experience than just those of the public school system, and intensive and varied doctoral-level supervision. Discussion centered on the continued need for providing practicum experiences that expose students to a variety of situations.Requests for reprints should be sent to Jack J . Kramer, Psychology

Learning From a Challenging Fieldwork Evaluation Experience

“…F or decades, fieldwork experiences have been common requirements in the curricula of a variety of academic degrees. The nomenclature for these experiential learning experiences varies as a function of discipline and includes, but is not limited to, internships, externships, service learning opportunities, rotations, cooperative education, practicum experiences, residencies, and clerkships (Glenwick & Hallauer, 1976;Kramer & Ryabik, 1981;Masters, Stillman, Browning, & Davis, 2005;Matsumura, Callister, Palmer, Cox, & Larsen, 2004;Meyer, 1985;Shipley et al, 2005;Sidwell & Cantoni, 1958). The underlying assumption of fieldwork experiences is that the classroom setting does not provide students with sufficient practice to build the knowledge and skills necessary to function effectively outside the academic setting; therefore, such experiences offer students an opportunity to understand the application of classroom theory in the workplace.…”

University clinics as field placements in school psychology training: A national survey.

“…Brown and Minke (in press) found an increase in the experiential component of programs at both the specialist and doctoral levels between the periods 1979–80 and 1981–82. With the exception of a description of one university-based clinic practicum (Kramer & Ryabick, 1981), the literature does not address how these clinics are organized, administered, and funded, or what the nature, duration, and sequencing of clinic field experiences are.…”