MCFC Field Experience

MCFC = M. Ed. Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling

Department links require log-in and may not be available until first course is in progress or complete.

What is Field Experience?

Field experience courses apply classroom-based learning to counseling practice with real clients in community-based settings.  The MCFC program requires students to complete three field experience courses.

MCFC students must find their own field experience site. They must locate a site with supervisor who is either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) to be approved for practicum and internships.

  • LMFT = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  • LPC = Licensed Professional Counselor

Am I ready to apply for Field Experience?

Students are eligible for the first field experience course CNDV 5393 Practicum if they have successfully completed their first 12-14 courses including Residency. Residency is a prerequisite for Field Experience.

Students should monitor the personalized plans and related notes within the university’s degree audit systems and begin searching for a field experience site at least two semesters prior to the application deadline. Students apply for field experience in the semester prior to planned completion of the field experience requirement.

Field Experience courses require a Counseling department application, with specific site, site supervisor, and student liability insurance requirements in order to obtain approval for enrollment. Each field experience course is typically completed a corresponding advanced rotation course, as follows:

  • CNDV 5326 Addiction Counseling with CNDV 5393 Practicum*
  • CNDV 5327 Psychopathology & Basic Psychopharmacology with CNDV 5494 Internship I*
  • CNDV 5329 Assessment & Treatment MCF with CNDV 5394 Internship II*

* application/approval required

The Counseling department has an informational page, however I would recommend utilizing the Field Experience manual within the program resources since it can be difficult to determine which Counseling program (Clinical Mental Health; Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; or School Counseling) is being referenced on the departmental website.

Where do I find the Field Experience application?

Students must apply and be approved to be enrolled for field experience coursework. Students will complete the field experience application via the MCFC program resources within LU Learn (Blackboard). Internship I and Internship II will require a form for site and supervisor updates or changes that will be posted as an announcement through the program resource. 

  • LU Connect
    • LU Learn (Blackboard)
    • Organizations
    • Marriage Couples and Family Counseling Program Resources
    • Field Experience Resources
    • Field Experience/Practicum Application

Once you have access to the MCFC program resource, you should review the following resources:

  • What is Field Experience Video
  • Field Experience Frequently Asked Questions
  • Field Experience Manual

If you determine that you do not have the Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program resources course in your LU Learn (Blackboard) under organizations or courses, then you will want to email email the Counseling department with your name, L-number, LU Email, and request access to it since all communication and information about those previously listed requirements will be shared through that resource.

Where can I find Field Experience opportunities?

MCFC students are responsible for locating their own field experience site location(s). Students should represent themselves as “graduate student-interns” while seeking field experience opportunities. Appropriate sites include clinical therapy, such as behavioral health inpatient hospitals, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, local mental health authorities, residential treatment programs, substance abuse treatment programs, juvenile justice facilities, prison facilities, shelters for women and children, non-profit counseling agencies, and private practice therapy offices. However, field experience sites for MCFC students may NOT be at a school.

American Counseling Association (ACA) student membership includes access to a Career Central portal, where students can search for Practicum and Internship sites in their states. If you opt to obtain your liability insurance through ACA then this resource may prove valuable to you in your search.