Master’s Internship/Doctoral Practicum
The UCC welcomes two master’s-level interns in counseling trainees to work with our team of multidisciplinary professionals each academic year. At this time we do not provide practicum training for graduate students in Master’s counseling programs.
Mission Statement of Training
The Mission of the UCC Training Program is to provide graduate students in mental health fields with a supervised clinical experience in a broad range of activities in preparation for careers in a university counseling center or similar setting. Trainees have the opportunity to learn from a diverse and multidisciplinary team of professionals who espouse a broad developmental and mentor-based training approach and use a combination of experiential, didactic, and practical training experiences to achieve training goals. As a result of this process, trainees develop skills, competencies, and professional identities as mental health practitioners.
The UCC Training Program utilizes a practitioner-scholar model in which research informs practice. This approach integrates hands-on work in a multidisciplinary setting with scholarly reading, critical thinking, and self-reflection. We believe that providing a supportive yet challenging environment, as well as ongoing and reciprocal feedback from staff and peers creates the optimum space for trainees to feel comfortable making and learning from mistakes and to experience personal and professional growth. We also believe it is important for trainees to have the opportunity to tailor their training experience based on areas of interest, and to receive mentorship and guidance in developing a niche as a mental health professional. Training opportunities will be developmentally appropriate for each individual’s level of training and experience, and will be sequential, cumulative and graded in complexity across the training year.
The UCC also utilizes a collaborative, systems approach to working with each other and within a larger campus environment. Therefore, we believe it is important for trainees to learn how to navigate administrative processes, provide referrals to on and off-campus agencies, develop case management skills, collaborate with other departments on campus, and manage multiple roles within the University, such as consulting with staff, students, and parents while maintaining confidentiality.
The UCC is committed to providing culturally sensitive services and believes it is important for trainees to be competent in working with clients, colleagues, and community members from various backgrounds. We foster this competence by providing training on identity and culture, encouraging trainees to consult and collaborate with multidisciplinary staff members inside and outside of the UCC, and by challenging trainees to reflect on their own personal and cultural experiences and how these affect their work with clients.
Generally trainees working for the UCC are required to work 16-20 hours per week and carry a caseload of 10-15 clients. All of our trainees develop the following competencies during the practicum year:
- Individual counseling skills
- Co-facilitating a therapy or psychoeducational group
- Diagnosis and treatment planning
- Interpretation and utilization of assessment results in treatment
- Case management skills essential to working within a larger campus environment
- Crisis management
- Outreach planning and delivery to campus groups on various topics
- Conceptualization and treatment from a primary theoretical orientation
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
- Development of a strong professional identity
- Use of self-awareness and personal reflection in working with clients
- Adherence to ethical standards and practice of ethical decision making
Master’s intern/doctoral practicum trainees at the UCC receive one hour per week of individual supervision with a primary supervisor in addition to group supervision. We encourage consultation with our diverse staff of mental health professionals. Counseling sessions are recorded for use as part of the supervision process in order to guide trainees in their learning. Trainees are also invited to participate in UCC all staff didactic in-service trainings, staff meetings, and weekly clinical consultation meetings.
The WFUCC Master’s Internship/Doctoral Practicum will offer two full academic year internship or practicum positions during the 2026-2027 academic year. The WFUCC does not offer single-semester practicum placements at this time. Please note that Master’s/Practicum positions are unpaid voluntary positions.
Requirements:
- Currently enrolled and in good standing in accredited graduate programs in counseling or psychology (i.e. CACREP or APA accredited programs).
- Completed or planned (with site secured) clinical practicum experience prior to start of internship at UCC.
- Students who are employed at WFU, either as full- or part-time employees or as graduate assistants, may not be eligible to apply for internship at the UCC depending on the amount and type of student contact involved. This exclusion exists due to the strong potential for dual relationships with UCC clients. An example of an office for which this exclusion applies is Residence Life and Housing.
- WFU students who have used services at the University Counseling Center (UCC) and Safe Office are eligible to apply for internship.
- Client status at the UCC/Safe will not be considered during the selection process. The intern selection committee will make efforts to maintain objectivity by having staff members who were directly involved in the prospective trainee’s care recuse themselves from reviewing this prospective trainee’s application materials and participating in their interview process.
- Once a student accepts an internship position at the UCC, they are no longer eligible to receive ongoing counseling services at the UCC/Safe. Trainees who are WFU students may engage in brief case management service prior to the start of internship if assistance is needed in identifying alternative mental health care.
Additional qualities that the WFUCC Master’s Internship/Doctoral Practicum training program values and are desired in applicants include:
- Goals and interests that align with the philosophy and aims of the WFUCC internship program
- Openness to examine intersecting identities and experiences of power, privilege, and oppression
- Self-awareness, self-motivation and self-direction
- Commitment to learn and develop throughout the training year, and to ongoing learning and growth
- Willingness to make mistakes and to learn from challenges
Potential applicants who are unsure of their eligibility for an internship/practicum placement at the UCC should contact the Assistant Director of Training, Dr. Chris Wilson, at wilsonc@wfu.edu.
Applications will be accepted for the 2026-2027 academic year beginning December 1st, 2025 and applications must be submitted by the end of the day on February 2, 2026.
To submit an application, please email Dr. Christopher Wilson (wilsonc@wfu.edu), Assistant Director of Training with the following:
- Cover Letter including a statement of interest and how the WFUCC master’s internship (or doctoral practicum) fits with your experience, training goals and career goals. Please also describe how you meet WFUCC eligibility requirements and align with additional qualities as described in the “Eligibility” section above.
- Current Curriculum Vitae.