Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's Program - Practicum Information

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program: Practicum Information

Your First Step into the Field Starts Here

The practicum is an essential milestone in your journey to becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. It offers a closely supervised opportunity to begin applying your counseling knowledge and skills in real-world settings.

This experience allows you to build clinical confidence, develop therapeutic relationships, and begin accumulating the hours required for licensure and future internship placement.

Getting Started

• No Application Needed: You do not need to submit an application to enroll in practicum.
• Mandatory Orientation Meeting: If you plan to take practicum in Spring or Summer, you must attend an orientation meeting held in the Fall semester.
  Actively enrolled students will be notified via email about the specific meeting date and time and the Internship Orientation meeting.

Required Coursework

To begin practicum, you must complete the following courses with a grade of B or better:

• CNS 517 – Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
• CNS 620 – Laboratory in Counseling Techniques
• CNS 622 – Individual Theories of Counseling

Faculty recommend completing most of your coursework before entering practicum to maximize your success and learning.

Finding a Practicum Site

Students are responsible for identifying and securing their own practicum site, allowing flexibility based on:

• Geographic location
• Work schedule
• Personal responsibilities

Supervisor Qualifications

Your practicum supervisor must be a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a supervision endorsement (LPCC-S) in the State of Ohio.

Practicum Hour Requirements

You must complete 100 total hours during one semester, including:

• 40 hours of direct service (e.g., individual or group counseling)
• 60 hours of indirect service (e.g., paperwork, planning, consultation)

Weekly time commitment by semester:

• Fall/Spring: Approximately 6–7 hours per week, including 2.5 direct hours
• Summer: Approximately 9 hours per week, including 3.5 direct hours

You must also record at least 6 counseling sessions. Consent from the client (or guardian) must be obtained using the Consent to Record Form before any recordings are made.

Note: These hour estimates are guidelines. Completing your required hours does not automatically end your obligations at the site. Always confirm start and end dates with your on-site supervisor.

If you do not complete your practicum by the first day of internship, you will be required to postpone internship until practicum is successfully completed.

Classroom Participation

In addition to your fieldwork, you are required to:

• Attend weekly class meetings
• Complete additional assignments and expectations set by your practicum instructor

Liability Insurance Requirements

All students must carry professional liability insurance throughout the practicum experience. Most counseling associations offer low-cost coverage through student memberships:

Recommended carriers:

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA)
• Other relevant professional organizations

Some schools or practicum sites may provide insurance coverage—confirm with your site supervisor.

Required Forms

Practicum forms, including site placement forms and consent forms, are available here. »

Licensing Preparation (CMHC)

To prepare for your future licensure:

• Visit the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist (OCSWMFT) Board for information on:
  • Counselor Trainee (CT) status
  • Other required paperwork for fieldwork and licensure
     

Important: If you are terminated from your practicum site, this may result in a failing grade. Practicum must be successfully completed, along with required coursework, before you are eligible for internship.

Criminal Background and Licensure Implications

It is your responsibility to understand how a criminal conviction may affect your eligibility for field placements and future licensure.

According to OCSWMFT Board regulations:

“(D) Applicants… shall be of good moral character. The board may deny any application for licensure if the applicant has been convicted of, or pled guilty/no contest to, a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude… The board shall consider the nature, timing, and relevance of any convictions.”

The Board may also request:

• A criminal background check
• A psychological evaluation
• Other documentation as part of the review process
   

A background check is required and shared with practicum and internship sites. If you have a conviction on your record, you are encouraged to speak with:

• Your academic coach
• The OCSWMFT Board
• The Ohio Department of Education (ODE), if relevant

Have Questions?

We’re here to help you prepare, apply, and succeed.

Email: levinstudents@csuohio.edu
Phone: 216.687.4625