PhD/PsyD Counting Practicum Hours in Winter & Summer

[R. Matey]

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Hey SDN,

I have a question about counting practicum hours on the APPI. My TD tells me that working over the summer and winter break gets counted as "program sanctioned activity" on the APPI, but doesn't fall into the general hours count since we're not enrolled in coursework (as you need to be with either a terminal master's degree or doctoral degree). I wanted to double check this with experience people have with the APPI. Basically, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to stay at prac over the summer if those hours are somehow counted as "less than" other practicum hours during the school year. Thoughts?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Are you enrolled in a clinical practicum course (e.g., one hour) while you're doing it so that it's on record with the school, you're covered by their insurance, etc.?

If so, I'd imagine it still counts toward contact hours. If not, then possibly go with what the TD says, as they'll be the one ultimately signing off on your hours when you apply.

 

[empathiosis]

I worked at my program's training clinic over the summer and was able to count those hours because they were considered "program sanctioned activity" I believe that if your work involves staying at a practicum site where you receive supervision from someone in your program or connected to your program, it can go in the general hours count. The only thing that does not count is work that you do that is not attached to your program.

 

[Justanothergrad]

Most places I've seen enroll folks in a summer practicum course to be covered by enrollment as Acronym mentioned. This isn't possible over the winter break, however. Thus, people track the hours for winter practicum between semesters as part of normal contact hours (assuming they are in practicum in both spring and fall and are being supervised on site with an opportunity to use a faculty as a consultant as needed). Otherwise, as you said, why would you stay in practicum during that time.

 

[eremitestar]

In my program, if we wanted to stay at a prac site over the summer we had to be enrolled in the practicum class over the summer. If we weren't in the class, then it wasn't viewed as program-sanctioned and, as AA stated above, we weren't covered by the university's insurance. If your program doesn't offer a practicum class over the summer, then I'd be wary of staying at a site for several reasons, the least of which being counting hours for internship. However, if you are in a practicum class, then the hours certainly count and are not "less than." They're all lumped together on the APPI. As for winter break (and spring break, and other random breaks between terms), my program let us stay at sites as long as we were enrolled in a practicum class in the terms immediately before and immediately after the break.

 

[R. Matey]

Thanks everyone. This is very helpful. The work I'm doing during winter and summer would be counted as attached to the program according to my TD regardless of credit. Insurance isn't an issue for me because I carry it for my LPC as a part of state law, but I'm overall concerned about getting enough hours for the APPI to be considered competitive. There is a one credit summer practicum class that isn't covered by my assistantship that I'm trying to decide whether to pay for or not. The program views this as an optional activity which is why my assistantship doesn't cover it. It wouldn't be worth paying for a credit if not paying for the credit gets me the same outcome. If these hours not covered by the credit are viewed by internship directors as somehow inferior to hours accumulated during the academic year, I'll pay for the chance to accumulate hours. My TD tells me that he would be available for emergencies or consultations as part of his responsibilities, but it doesn't sound like supervision would be regular.

 

[eremitestar]

My understanding is that working under your LPC license and not getting regular supervision from your program would mean that those hours don't count. You could list it on your CV, but they wouldn't be listed on your APPI.

 

[R. Matey]

My understanding is that working under your LPC license and not getting regular supervision from your program would mean that those hours don't count. You could list it on your CV, but they wouldn't be listed on your APPI.

That's my understanding as well. I'm still in the program though, so wouldn't that count? I think I'm leaning more towards paying for the credit just to be on the safe side. Even though it's up to my TD, I am seeking to be above reproach on this.

 

[WisNeuro]

As eremite said, the numbers reported for APPIC are those that were accrued as part of your graduate training as of my last read of the rules. If hours were accrued under the supervision of a non-program source (prac/externship), while valuable experience, are not part of your reported F2F hours. I'd check the latest APPIC FAQ.

 

[WisNeuro]

BTW, something I do know about APPIC, if you are not receiving regular supervision for the hours, they do not count. That's been a pretty consistent rule in the FAQ's over the years.

 

[R. Matey]

As eremite said, the numbers reported for APPIC are those that were accrued as part of your graduate training as of my last read of the rules. If hours were accrued under the supervision of a non-program source (prac/externship), while valuable experience, are not part of your reported F2F hours. I'd check the latest APPIC FAQ.

From: https://www.appic.org/Portals/0/downloads/AAPI_Online_Instructions-2013.pdf

" You should only record hours for which you received formal academic training and credit or which were sanctioned by your graduate program as relevant training or work experiences (e.g., VA summer traineeship, clinical research positions, time spent in the same practicum setting after the official practicum has ended). Practicum hours must be supervised. Please consult with your academic training director to determine whether experiences are considered program sanctioned or not. The academic training director must be aware of and approve of the clinical activity. Academic credit is not a requirement in all cases. Other sections of this application will allow you an opportunity to summarize your supervision experiences, anticipated practicum experiences and support activities. Other relevant experience that does not fit into the above definition can be described on your Curriculum Vitae. (p. 17)"

Thanks for the feedback, WiseNuero. Unfortunately, what is consider part of graduate training is not exactly clear. I'm trying to understand and interpret this guideline because I want to be sure that I'm doing all I can to count hours. Honestly, my prac this year has turned out to be more administration than intervention hours and I was hoping to do a summer prac to make up for lost time. However, the questions are: do I have to pay for it or should I skip it?

Like I said, I'm leaning towards paying for it because it feels less sketchy to me do to it that way, but I'm in graduate school: not exactly raking it in with my assistantship. However, I need the hours. I actually have a lot of experience working as an LPC, but like eremite said, it doesn't count on an APPI. Just trying to be prepared while doing the right thing. Whatever that is.

 

[R. Matey]

BTW, something I do know about APPIC, if you are not receiving regular supervision for the hours, they do not count. That's been a pretty consistent rule in the FAQ's over the years.

Totally. I make sure to get my two hours a week.

 

[WisNeuro]

My TD tells me that he would be available for emergencies or consultations as part of his responsibilities, but it doesn't sound like supervision would be regular.

This made it sound like this work wasn't regularly supervised to me.

 

[R. Matey]

Ohh! Gotcha! Good point. Yeah, I think I'll just enroll in summer prac *sigh*

 

[R. Matey]

Thanks everybody!