How to Have a Successful Clinical Practicum in SLP (Part one of two)

Clinical practicums, also known as externships/internships, in Speech-Language Pathology are an exciting and necessary component of any graduate curriculum. Graduate students must complete 375 clock hours in direct contact with a patient/client throughout their program, most of which are 5 semesters. Having a successful clinical practicum in SLP is essential for graduate clinicians.

With all the settings in which SLPs can work, there is no way to teach students everything they need to know in a classroom or campus clinic. Students need hands-on experience in a variety of settings to learn caseload management, report writing systems, goal writing, etc. Graduate students depend on the help and support of seasoned SLPs to gain the necessary experience to become well-rounded clinicians and ready for the workforce.

So, what can you expect in your off-campus clinical practicum? How can you prepare? Keep reading for tips for a successful clinical practicum in Speech-Language Pathology.

ASHA Requirements

When it comes to off-campus clinical practicums, Universities have different ways of doing things. Some programs place students at practicum sites while others have the graduate students find their own placements. Regardless of how you find a placement, there are ASHA requirements that all practicum sites must meet. These include:

• A licensed/Certified SLP must be on-site while a graduate clinician is providing services (Can have multiple supervisors at the site)
• A licensed/Certified SLP must directly supervise 25% of each session
• All supervisors must have at least 9 months of full-time clinical experience after CCC
• Supervisors must have completed at least 2 hours of CE in the topic of supervision

Sites can set additional expectations based on their needs and requirements. For example, completing a background check before starting or being on-site on certain days. Graduate programs will expect their student clinicians to meet those requirements.

Site availability

Site availability is going to vary by semester. This is a big one, I really can’t stress this enough! Sites and supervisors are NOT obligated to take a graduate student every semester. It is their choice, and most do it because they want to give back to our profession. All SLPs were graduate students once and they needed someone to supervise them.

Site availability varies by many factors, such as:

• Semester– some sites only take students in the fall, spring, or summer, not every semester
• Supervisor availability– SLPs change jobs or take time off, and a new SLP needs to get acclimated to the setting before taking on a graduate student
• Supervisor caseload/workload– Caseloads fluctuate. If a caseload is down, the supervisor may feel that they cannot help a student obtain a certain number of hours
• Supervisor training– ASHA now requires that all supervisors obtain 2 hours of CE in the topic of supervision. In addition, some sites may have their own requirements an SLP must meet before taking on a graduate student, like being employed there for a minimum number of years
• Expectations for students– Some sites may have their own requirements for taking a student. For example, they may only want a Spanish speaking clinician or someone who has had a specific class
• Other programs in the area– Some areas have more than one SLP graduate program, so there is a lot of competition (in D.C., there are 5 graduate programs alone plus more in Virginia and Maryland)

Contingencies

Clinical practicums may have their own protocol in selecting a graduate student. Many require

• Interviews
• Letters of Recommendation

Tips for Acing the Interview

Some practicums, but not all, may require an interview. Sometimes it’s a formality, other times there may be several candidates from whom they are selecting. No matter what, you got this! Consider it good preparation for a job interview after graduation. Here are tips for acing that interview!

• It’s more than knowledge, supervisors want to know that you are motivated to learn!
• Be positive and confident
• Stress that you are willing to go the extra mile (ex. attending parent-teacher nights, Saturday screenings, in-services, etc.)
• State what you do know already, not what you don’t know
• Remind them that you are there to learn (and are eager to do so)
• Ask what information you need to research before starting your placement (ex. practicing standardized measures, researching techniques)

HERE is a list of 35 interview questions that are commonly asked by a supervisor and graduate clinician. These questions will help you prepare as a student or as a supervisor for your practicum. Happy interviewing!

International placements

Most graduate programs allow students to do what is called an away practicum, which is anything outside of a specific radius from their campus. Graduate students can complete practicums outside of the U.S.

I will say it sounds glamorous but is very challenging to set up. First, the student must find an ASHA-certified SLP who meets supervisor requirements (2 hours of CEs and 9 months post-CCC). Second, the student must find housing. Third, things can fall through at the last minute and the student may have already invested in housing or flights.

The only times I have seen successful international practicums was when the student returned to their home country. However, if one is willing to do the research and put in the work, it is doable!

Your expectations

Sites will have expectations for students. It’s best to meet with the site as soon as possible and ask what is expected of you. Recommended topics to ask about are:

• Dress code
• Breaks/meals
• Hours you are expected to be on-site each week
• Hours of direct client/patient contact to be expected each week
• What to do in case of illness or emergency

What tips do you have for a successful clinical practicum? Let us know in the comments below?