Students who are Applied Psychology & Human Development (APHD) majors are eligible to register for this class. Preference is given to juniors and seniors. Sophomores and APHD minors may be able to register with approval from the Undergraduate Associate Dean’s Office, if space is available.

You should be able to:

1. Describe key concepts, principles, perspectives, and overarching themes in psychology
2. Describe applications of psychology
3. Demonstrate effective writing
4. Exhibit effective presentation skills
5. Demonstrate technological skills
6. Exhibit psychology information literacy
7. Demonstrate successful teamwork through collaboration on small group projects
8. Recognize the value and application of research and problem-solving skills in providing evidence and tackling complex problems

You should prepare for and expect to participate in professional and direct engagement with the practicum site over the course of a semester. Typical practicum experiences require 8-12 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks. You should plan to begin your placement no later than the week following the add/drop deadline, and continue through the end of the semester. Be prepared for a large time commitment and schedule your classes accordingly.

You will gain real-world learning experiences by working with professionals in an applied setting that is relevant to psychology. In general, the practicum experience will provide you with the opportunity to apply what you have learned in the major, gain exposure to potential career paths, develop competency working in diverse settings and with diverse populations, build mentor and other network relationships, and develop professional skills.

Much of the learning will occur at the placement site, under the guidance of an on-site supervisor. In collaboration with practicum site supervisors and course instructors, you should develop a practicum plan (i.e., individualized learning objectives & assessment plan).

Appropriate practicum learning objectives, informed by the APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major (Version 2.0, Aug 2013), include:

1. Articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain social issues, address pressing societal needs, and/or inform public policy
2. Exhibit high standards of positive personal values in interpersonal and work-related relationships
3. Pursue personal opportunities to promote civic, social, and global outcomes that benefit the community
4. Apply relevant psychology content knowledge to facilitate a more effective workplace
5. Expect and adapt to interaction complexity, including factors related to diversity of backgrounds, in work organizations
6. Apply the ethical principles of psychology to professional and workplace settings.
7. Design deliberate efforts to produced desired self-management outcomes (e.g., self-regulation, hardiness, resilience)
8. Accurately self-assess performance quality by adhering to external standards and their own performance criteria
9. Pursue and respond appropriately to feedback from supervisors and experts to improve performance
10. Develop and execute strategies for exceeding project criteria or, in the absence of such criteria, to meet their own project performance criteria
11. Actively develop alternative strategies, including conflict management, to contend with potential problems
12. Work effectively with diverse populations
13. Formulate career plan contingencies based on accurate self-assessment of abilities, achievement, motivation, and work habits
14. Develop evidence of attaining skill sets desired by employers
15. Update a curriculum vitae or resume
16. Describe and execute problem-solving and research methods to facilitate effective workplace solutions
17. Identify range of possible factors that influence beliefs and conclusions; Disregard or challenge flawed sources of information
18. Apply psychological knowledge and skills to practical situations in the workplace and community

More specialized learning objectives can be formulated according to personal goals and the placement setting (e.g., group facilitation, program evaluation, introductory assessment skills).

Baird, B.N. (2014). The internship, practicum, and field placement handbook: A guide for the helping professions 7/e. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.