Question about LPC internships

[deenie]

Hi - I just got accepted into a 60 credit MS program for Professional Counseling and my hope is to sit for the exam in a few years. In NJ, you must file for an LAC license and then do the 3,000 supervised hours to obtain the LPC designation. I will accrue 900 hours during 3 semesters of internship in school but the balance is what I'm concerned about.

As it is, I'm going to really be in the hole with student loans (47 y/o mom with two young kids going back to grad school). My DH works but school will be quite an investment. I've been looking at internships and it seems like there are several people who call themselves LPC supervisors and they charge to supervise. I didn't expect to make a ton of money during an internship but some stipend would be necessary if I have to pay for child care while DH is at work. My kids are in K & 1st so they're still young. If I have to pay OOP for counseling supervision, this is going to be REALLY tough! Are these ever paid or is paying the supervisor the norm? 😕

TIA!

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[lookitssara]

This may be state-based, but in TN and MI, your internship hours do NOT count towards LPC supervision hours. Those hours are post-masters. Additionally, I have never heard of a counseling program with a paid internship (although that doesn't mean they don't exist). Also, at least where I am, your program helps you find an internship, and while you pay for the credits in your program, you do NOT pay anything to the supervisor. In fact, the only reimbursement that the site gets is having free labor. Some places have sort of a "pay it back" mentality...they knew someone had to supervise them, so they do it for someone else.

Some people do pay for their supervisory experience (post-masters, after their internships) but I don't know if I'd say this is the norm. It definitely is harder to find a place that will let you do this. If you're lucky, your internship site will keep you on afterward.

 

[whypsy]

+1 to previous response. Yeah those LPC hours are after graduation. Many find sites that will provide pay for those just out of their master's and sometimes will include supervision or supervision at a discounted rate. Usually these positions are at community mental health agencies.

However the other more expensive option is finding a supervisor who you must pay weekly. But also supervisors are willing to work with you knowing that coming out of school students are pretty poor.

Good luck.

 

[lookitssara]

Definitely check your state laws - I noted on UNC Greensboro's website today and noted that in their counseling program, the internship counts toward LPC hours.

 

[inschoolforever]

NJ just changed their licensing laws. Now, to be able to be licensed as an LPC, you need 4500 hours of supervision. You can opt for only 3000 hours post grad, but you need an extra 30 credits of masters level elective courses.

also - lots of schools in PA/Philadelphia no longer meet the requirements for NJ licensure. check with the school...this literally happened within the past month.

good luck!

 

[jdawgg]

Very few (though I have heard of a couple) LPC internships pay anything. Most sites I know of do provide supervision free of charge, however.