Program Overview

Introduction to the Practicum Program

The UT Dallas Student Counseling Center (SCC) offers a practicum training program for current graduate students majoring in counseling or clinical psychology. The program spans two semesters, from August to May, and is designed to provide clinical services and outreach programming that support university students' well-being and academic success.

Program Overview

The primary emphasis of the practicum training program is to create a welcoming environment that fosters connection and accessibility. The program follows a developmental approach to training and supervision, facilitating the transition from graduate student to professional psychologist. The center's staff culture is warm, collaborative, and committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for students and trainees.

Training Model and Philosophy

The center's primary training modality is experiential, emphasizing clinical practice and service delivery. The program aims to create ethical and culturally competent generalist mental health practitioners. The training model integrates a relational "use of self" approach, emphasizing self-reflection, authenticity, and mutual growth.

Student Counseling Center's Commitment to Diversity

The SCC is committed to offering services that cater to the diverse needs of all students. The center views diversity as encompassing intersecting identities, including ethnic/racial identity, nationality, sexual identity, gender identity and expression, age, religious/spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic status, body shape/size, disability status, and veteran status.

Practicum Activities

Practicum trainees provide various services, including:

• Individual therapy
• Initial consultations
• Group therapy/Workshops
• Psychiatric referrals
• Outreach programming

Typical Week

A typical week for practicum trainees includes:

• Direct service/client contact: 8-9 hours of individual counseling, 1 hour of initial consultation, and 1-1.5 hours of group/workshop
• Supervision of group therapy: 0.5 hour
• Individual supervision: 1 hour (minimum)
• Initial consultation supervision: 0.5 hour (Fall, varies in Spring semester)
• Group supervision/practicum case consultation: 1.5 hours
• Practicum training seminar: 1 hour
• Practicum cohort support time: 0.5 hour
• Administrative tasks: 3-5 hours
• Outreach: varies by week

University Profile

UT Dallas is a diverse community with over 30,000 students from more than 110 countries. The student body comprises:

• Asian American (36%)
• White (20%)
• Hispanic/Latinx/Latine (16%)
• International (15%)
• African American (4%)
• Two or more races (4%)
• Unknown/other (3%)
• Native American (0.15%)
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.04%)

SCC Highlights

The SCC offers various opportunities, including:

• Thriving group therapy and workshops programming (10-12 per semester)
• Staff connection through Didactics & Refresh Events
• Consultation spaces for staff
• Professional Development Committee (PDC)
• Opportunities for outreach and consultation with campus partners
• Stipend: $1500 and $100 for professional development

Application Procedure

Applications for the 2026-2027 practicum training year are accepted until 5:00 PM on March 2nd, 2026. A complete application includes:

• A cover letter stating interest in the training program and alignment with the SCC practicum program
• A curriculum vita (CV) describing educational and employment experiences
• The names and contact information of three clinical references

Admission Criteria

Applicants must confirm completion of prerequisite courses, including ethics, pre-practicum counseling skills, and theories of psychotherapy. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview via Microsoft Teams in mid-late March, and notification of placements will occur in late March to early April.