Clinical training is central to the development of all aspiring counselors. It provides the opportunity to apply the theories learned in the classroom to a real-world setting. You will observe, develop key counseling skills, and practice the tasks of a professional counselor.

You must complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship under the supervision of a licensed or certified counselor. You will complete your practicum and internship hours under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor. The approximate timing of practicum and internship placements for each program is detailed below:

Spring

Summer

Fall

In most cases, all internship work takes place in the final two terms of the program.

The mental health and wellness practicum provides you with experience in a mental health setting. You must complete 8-10 hours per week (100 hours per term) under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor. This experience allows you to observe a mental health counselor and gain introductory skills through 40 hours of direct practice as part of the 100-hour practicum.

In addition to the on-site field training, you will be enrolled in a practicum seminar class.

As a student, you will train at the same site throughout two terms to complete the 600-hour internship (300 hours per term). You must train for a minimum of three full days or 19 hours per week – in each consecutive internship term – under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified counselor. During your internships, you will complete 240 hours of direct practice.

Through Counseling@NYU, you will work with a dedicated placement team to secure an appropriate placement within a 75-mile radius of your preferred placement address. All placement sites are approved by NYU.

You should plan to attend placement Monday through Friday. Mental health counseling students are expected to be available during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in accordance with your placement supervisor’s schedule.

We are unable to arrange for placement schedules to occur exclusively during evening or weekend hours. You are required to adjust your schedule to be in accordance with your supervisor’s schedule to ensure completion of placement hours and clinical responsibilities.

The placement team is responsible for securing a placement that meets your program requirements. There are a variety of experiences that will assist in developing your clinical skills and competencies for the program, graduation, and future licensure/certification. Your placement sites are not guaranteed to align with your areas of interest. 

You can talk to your instructor to determine if there may be an opportunity to integrate your interest area at your placement, if possible.

You cannot complete field placement outside of the continental United States or Hawaii. You will not be placed internationally, including on U.S. military bases or in U.S. territories. If you are living abroad with an upcoming placement term you will need to relocate to the continental United States or Hawaii in order to be assigned a placement.

Due to the nature of the placement, you are not able to complete your placement hours at your current place of employment. You cannot work with clients with whom you currently have other relationships or have the potential to have other relationships. With little opportunity to differentiate the placement client base, it is challenging to meet program requirements and direct client hours to successfully complete placement at a work-site.