Internship/Practicum Program

At this time, our program is full for the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 school year. We will begin taking applications for the 2026-2027 school year in October 1, 2025 and close October 31, 2025. 

The Counseling Center intern or practicum student performs duties and responsibilities under the general direction of the site supervisor. The intern will receive at least one hour of weekly individual clinical supervision with a licensed mental health professional (LMHC, LISW, LMFT). The intern also has the opportunity to participate in the Counseling Center’s staff meetings and case consultations. 

Below are the typical duties of an intern: 

• Provide fair access toward short- and long-term individual and group therapy for students from a variety of backgrounds and resource gaps, with an emphasis on meeting unmet student needs. 
• Assist students with identifying and resolving problems affecting their educational and personal development by clarifying personal.
• Provide crisis counseling and assessment for students in distress.
• Use engaging therapeutic modalities when working with historically underrepresented student populations.
• Refer students to appropriate community and campus resources.
• Perform related duties as required.

Other Potential Functions/Duties: 

 Interns may also have the opportunity to do the following: 

• Create and deliver outreach activities/events, workshops, and other prevention services to the campus community.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Enrollment in an accredited university for Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, or related field.
• Willing to learn to provide various and appropriate counseling techniques, especially to individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
• Openness to receive and integrate feedback.
• Openness to assisting with program development and social media. 
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and an ability to work effectively and collaboratively with teams and populations from a variety of backgrounds.
• Experience using various computer applications.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Application Requirements: 

1. An updated resume or curriculum vitae
2. A cover letter (1-page maximum) that addresses the following:
   1. What interests you in an internship/practicum at Drake Student Counseling Center?
   2. How do you meet the minimum qualifications?
   3. What are your goals for internship/practicum?
   4. What are your graduate programs’ training requirements (i.e. amount of hours; number of months; etc.)?
3. A Community Representation Reflection (1-page maximum) that addresses the following:
   1. Provide specific examples of how your educational and/or professional experiences, background or philosophy demonstrate your commitment to providing fair access and support for a broad representation of individuals, regardless of their access to care or historical barriers, and how it prepares you to contribute to Drake University and the Counseling Center.

Please email all completed materials to the Counseling Director at kayla.bell@drake.edu.