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What is a practicum?
All Human Development and Family Study (HDFS) students are required to do a practicum. (The term practicum is generally used in counseling programs and is interchangeable with the term internship.) The HDFS practicum (HDFS-491) is designed to assist you in gaining pre-professional experience and in establishing a professional identity in the human services area to enhance your appeal to potential employers. This is your opportunity to get work experience, contribute to a professional setting and serve as a professional in a setting of your choice.
The practicum requires working a minimum of 204 hours at a professional work site in the HDFS field. Practicum can be completed during the fall, spring or summer session. To qualify for practicum, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and 2.5 in major studies required courses. Also, as this is considered a senior level experience, students must have completed a minimum of 90 credit hours, including 25 credits in the major studies core. In addition, students must complete HDFS-490 (Professional Issues) prior or concurrently with the practicum. (Please note if planning a summer practicum -- HDFS-490 must be taken the semester before as this course is only offered in the fall and spring.)
Before even considering a practicum you should gain experience working with children and/or families outside of your college courses. This may be either a volunteer or paid experience. This is important to help you in reflecting what site might be most beneficial for you. It is also important as frequently the first question a potential practicum supervisor will ask is "what volunteer experience, or experience working with children and families does this student have."
How to sign up for a practicum
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Attend a practicum meeting to learn the details concerning practicum. These meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday in September and the 3rd Tuesday in January.
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Reflect: Think about the types of career options that you would like to explore. Consider the job setting you are interested in: social services, educational, law enforcement, private agency? What age groups do you most enjoy working with? What kind of professional experience do you want? How will this experience fit into your short-term plans after you earn your degree? What are your strengths, talents, what have you most interested in with your course work?
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Gather information: Once you have narrowed down your interests, look through the blue practicum books located in Home Economics 127 (this office is open Monday through Friday from 8 until 4:30). These books contain sites previously used by students. In these books you will find contact information, job descriptions as well as strengths and weaknesses of the sites. It is also possible to identify new sites as well.
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Complete the practicum application and preference sheet (found below ). Print off these forms from the website. These forms must be turned into the Program Director by the following dates:
» For a Spring practicum: First Friday in October.
» For a Summer practicum: First Friday in February.
» For a Fall practicum: First Friday in March. -
Submit evidence of a recent criminal background check. To be placed for a practicum, you must turn in a recent criminal background check indicating that you have no criminal record. If you have not had a criminal background check done in the past year, please complete the background check form ; the completed form and correct fee should be turned in with your completed practicum application and preference sheet.
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The practicum coordinator will make the initial contact with your site. Once you receive approval from the coordinator; telephone the agency to set up an interview. You should also send a cover letter and resume. Be sure to bring to the interview your portfolio, background check, and dress professionally. The site may also request completion of an additional background check (if the site is locates in a state other than Wisconsin), a drug test and a TB test.
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After the interview contact the practicum coordinator to confirm the site.
For more information concerning the application process and the expectations for practicum, students may pick up a practicum booklet at the University Bookstore. It is listed under HDFS 490 and 491.
Practicum Forms:
NOTE: The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print PDF files.