They are concerned about adequate & appropriate supervision.
😛 Other placements they didn't want me to approach because "we're trying to get another paid slot out of them next year" and if they're receiving free services, they may be less likely to say 'yes' to paying more.
Hrm, I'm not sure about formal documents re: the externship information, but it is indicated in our program manual that we are not allowed to work outside of the department without formal agreements and that we work within the department's "process."

Jeeze. Way to rub it in there, erg. What's sad is I'm considered to be doing "well" with my measly 700+ (face-to-face) hours at one site in a university clinic and outside practicum ... in comparison to some "other" folks. And, yeah, you're allegedly less advanced than li'l ole' me, although I would certainly concede that you have a helluva lot more experience than myself.
I had another conversation with the DCT later today . . . Because I like to squeak!
😛 Again, I received the same message: I have too many hours. There are others who need the sites more. I am doing fine. If I want more assessment hours, return to the training clinic next year. Rinse, recycle, repeat. Arguments regarding lack of assessment, lack of breadth in training due to everything being received at one site, inability to apply to a number of sites due to lack of training experiencing were pointless.
What irritates me (well, plenty that irritates me . . . ) is that there are other students with comparable hours (or more) who are being considered for positions (or told to apply for clinical positions). I knew there were in the past. And I confirmed there are in the current cycle as well after my latest discussion. So I have no idea what their main issue is other than I'm not a particular student or in a particular track.
The only possible semi-positive thing that came out of this conversation is that it *may* now be possible for me to seek an external practicum on my own outside the department. Of course, I still have to find one that the department will approve, but at least they seem to be open this time around. Aaand this also means that they have already basically given me the "you're not being given a practicum placement" for next year response and that I will be most likely declining my assistantship for a second year running. More money out of my pocket. Yippee ki yay mother . . .
😎
Oh, well. On the bright side, I will probably receive better or at least more preferable clinical training than any of the opportunities offered by our department's practicum options.
I don't believe that anyone currently practices on a regular basis. My advisor did some work before being recruited here some years ago, and my previous advisor does some sporadic consulting work. Otherwise, the only practice that I know they get is in the training clinic when they supervise every other semester of every other year (or whatever schedule they happen to follow).
Nope, scientist-practitioner program. There are
some students and professors who are more heavily research focused in the program. But, I would not say this encompasses the majority of the program. As our students receive interviews and (mostly) match, they believe that we receive the experience we need to be successful.
APA-accredited: Yes (and just had a site visit last semester). No one ever files grievances around here anymore because they don't get them anywhere. We're required to go through the ombudsman first--who sides with the department on all issues regardless. They will claim that the department's logic makes sense. Anyone else is leery of complaining in general about anything for fear that it will come back to bite them in the arse when it comes time for recommendations, etc. (and as much as it shouldn't, it does).
I feel you on that one. I *should have* listened to my instincts on this cursed place. On the one hand, I keep telling myself that I'm getting something out of it--but it's hard to do most days. I tried to start out more academic; my first advisor killed that one--so I suspect I'm screwed and now floundering on what to do since I'm also screwed clinically (which I thought I was supposed to be training for from the beginning!) I interviewed at a skydiving dropzone recently. Maybe I'll get licensed, drop out of grad school, and jump out of planes for the rest of my days!
😀