Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's Program - Practicum Information

Application for practicum is no longer required.

Orientation Meeting:

All students planning to take practicum in Spring or Summer must attend an orientation meeting which is held during the Fall. Please check News and Announcements on the counseling Web page for date, time, and location of the meeting.

Course Work:

Site Requirements:

Student must earn 100 total hours total in one semester. These 100 hours must include 40 direct service hours and 60 indirect service hours. This equates to approximately 6-7 hours per week of which 2.5 direct hours should be accrued during Fall and Spring terms. In the Summer term, this equates to approximately 9 hour per week of which 3.5 direct hours should be accrued. per week during Spring Semester. 

Student must be able to record at least 6 counseling sessions. The client and/or guardian must sign the Consent to Record Form prior to beginning the recording. 

NOTE: These numbers are estimates. Obtaining these numbers does not automatically terminate your obligation to your practicum or internship site. You must discuss your beginning and ending date with the on-site supervisor. If you have not completed your practicum requirements prior to the first day of internship class, you will be required to drop internship.

Class Requirements:

Insurance:

All students in the program are required to have liability insurance for the duration of practicum. Most professional organizations include liability insurance in their student memberships. Some suggested insurance carriers are:

Insurance Companies:

Sometimes insurance is covered by the school or agency.

Practicum Forms to Be Completed:

Session Review Form

Licensing Requirements CMHC:

Please check the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapy Board Web page for required paperwork for Counselor Trainee (CT) status and other paperwork. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are terminated from your practicum site, this may result in a fail grade in practicum. You must complete practicum successfully, in addition to other coursework, to be eligible for internship.

Implications for Criminal Record on Field Placements and Licensure

Students must take personal responsibility to inform themselves of the potential professional implications if they have a history of a criminal convictions on their legal record. For Clinical Mental Health Counseling students, The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist (OCSWMFT) Board Laws and Rules specifically state:

"(D) Applicants for any license or certificate of registration issued by the board shall be of good moral character. The board may, in its discretion, deny any application for licensure or certification if the board finds that the applicant was convicted of, pled guilty to, or pled no contest to a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or for acts committed, which would constitute a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, if committed in Ohio. The board shall consider the number and timing of any convictions and the relationship those convictions may have to the practice for which the applicant has made application for licensure or certification. The board shall consider an applicant's fitness to practice a part of the good moral character requirements. The board at its discretion may request any of the following to help determine good moral character and fitness to practice: a criminal records check, a criminal background check or a psychological evaluation."

Additionally, students are required to obtain a background check that is shared with potential practicum and internship sites. Therefore, field placements site positions may also be impacted by a criminal conviction history. Students are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor, OCSWMFT Board, and/or ODE if they have a criminal conviction on their legal record that may impact their field placements and/or licensure in Ohio.