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The Practicum Coordinator asks each full-time student to fill out an Experience and Interest form in their first fall semester. Part-time students complete the form in the fall semester of the second year. The Practicum Coordinator then individually meets with each student to review the form and talk about their situation and the practicum training. The students' interests and experiences along with geographic location, personal situations, goals, academic skills, and faculty input are all factored into developing a specific training agency and plan for each student.
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LMU has worked hard at building mutually beneficial training collaborations with many of the top mental health agencies in the Los Angeles region. Each year we compile a list of agencies that are able to train our students in practicum. Availability is based on many factors including budgetary and supervisory restraints at the agencies and student feedback. Additionally, we are always developing new agency collaborations in the Los Angeles area as well as in outlying areas based on student needs each year. Students are encouraged to remain flexible in this process and understand that from year-to-year agencies we have used in the past may not be available.
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The Practicum Coordinator works with each student and gives them a prospective placement for an interview. Unlike some other training programs, LMU students are not given a master list and told to choose an agency and engage in competitive interviews. In the last six weeks of the fall semester (and spring for second year placements) students are given their practicum assignments and directed to make an appointment at the agency. This process allows the agency (and the student) to make certain the fit is right. In some rare occasions, it may be determined from the interview that the placement is not compatible with the student. In this case, the Practicum Coordinator works with the student to develop another placement opportunity based on the concerns raised.
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Full time students begin their practicum at the onset of the spring semester in the first year. Part time students begin their practicum in the spring semester of their second year. In the first practicum, students continue training until the end of May to maximize learning and gain the required hours for graduation.
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If a student has challenges or problems at an practicum agency, he or she is encouraged to interact with the on-site supervisors or agency liaison to problem solve. If the appropriate resolution is not reached, the student is encouraged to problem solve with the off-site art therapy supervisor who can dialogue with the agency and advocate for the students needs if necessary. If there is still not the necessary resolution, the student should dialogue with the Practicum Coordinator. Finally if there is still no resolution, the student should seek out assistance from the program director.
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Once a student's degree is posted a student may apply to the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to become an MFT Associate to gain post-graduate hours of experience. The degree is generally posted about two weeks after graduation. A student can download the application from the BBS website and will receive instructions from the Department Chair on how to get the State of California Program Certification form signed.
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After graduation a student needs to complete 1,000 hours of direct clinical service as an art therapist, and have that work supervised by a board-certified and registered art therapist (ATR-BC). Once those hours have been completed, the student may apply for registration by the Art Therapy Credentials Board.