Practicum training program
The University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services (CS) offers a variety of practicum training programs for Masters and Doctoral students in the mental health fields, i.e. therapy-focused for psychology, marriage counseling and family therapy, clinical mental health counseling, and social work; case management for foundation year social work; outreach for foundation year social work; psychological assessment. Practicum placements typically extend August 1 through May 31 and are negotiable, depending on program requirements. Frequently, we are also able to offer summer term psychological assessment practicum placements. Please continue to check back for practicum position openings, as available positions will be assessed on a year-to-year basis. You may also reach out to the UNR CS Director of Training at jodit@unr.edu to inquire about current openings.
The University of Nevada, Reno CS practicum program provides more than just on-the-job practicum training. We offer high-quality training and supervision to help our practicum counselors deliver effective brief counseling and/or psychological assessment to college students with an emphasis on culturally responsive practice and humility.
We provide comprehensive generalist training experience in university psychological services. Weekly structured didactic trainings are provided on clinical, professional, and diversity topics, and individual and group supervision are provided.
Fields
Psychology and counseling therapy practicum
The University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services (UNR CS) is currently accepting applications for part-time, 15-20 hour per week therapy emphasis practicum positions for masters or doctoral students in psychology, marriage counseling and family therapy, or clinical mental health counseling programs for the 2025-2026 training year.
The search will remain open until filled and will close no later May 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. To apply, please upload your materials at the through the University Workday posting. (Requisition R0146706)
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the position you are applying to
- Up to date vita or resume
- Contact information for three references, at least one who can speak to your clinical work (or to your clinical training if you will be new to providing clinical services)
Direct Service (same day sessions, individual therapy, optional group counseling, optional campus outreach and consultation, optional psychological assessment): 50%
Indirect Service (individual supervision, group supervision, didactic seminars, client presentations, monthly staff meetings, monthly staff diversity trainings, administrative and documentation time): 50%
Therapy practicum positions are offered at 15 to 20 hours per week, depending on program requirements, with a preference for 20 hours per week if the student’s program allows. The 2025-2026 training year runs August 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, unless an exception is granted due to restrictions of the student’s academic program. Practicum counselors will attend a new trainee orientation the first two weeks in August. Practicum counselors are required to hold on-site hours on Wednesday mornings 9am-11am to attend practicum group supervision and didactics, and monthly staff diversity trainings. It is recommended to also work 11am-12pm on Wednesdays to attend monthly staff meetings, if schedule allows.
Base pay ranges $36,000 – 40,800 per year (this range is for 40 hours/week or 100% FTE), dependent on training level and adjusted based on number of hours worked per week (percentage of FTE).
Practicum counselors receive university holidays off, vacation (or “annual”) leave, sick leave, and professional development leave. Amount of leave is dependent on length of contract and percentage FTE.
Required:
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a formal masters or doctoral program in clinical, counseling, or school psychology; clinical mental health counseling; marriage counseling and family therapy, or a closely related mental health field (preferably accredited programs).
- Applicants must be in good standing with their program at time of application.
Preferred:
- University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services seeks individuals with a strong commitment to teamwork, diversity and inclusion, have solid communication skills, balance good self-care with effective practice, are open to learning and value self-reflection as a tool for professional development.
- Preference will be given to applicants with prior counseling experience.
Applications accepted until accepted until 8 a.m. on April 7, 2025. To apply, upload your materials through the University Workday posting. (Requisition R0146706)
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the position you are applying to
- Up to date vita or resume
- Contact information for three references, at least one who can speak to your clinical work (or to your clinical training if you will be new to providing clinical services)
Interviews will be scheduled to take place at the Counseling Services office and last approximately 45-50 minutes.
Please note:
Candidates who are hired for this position are required to complete two background checks to comply with university and department policies. 7,002: Policy on the Protection of Children and 2,530: Background Check Policy. Failure to pass the background check to the satisfaction of the institution invalidates and voids the employment contract. There is no cost to the employee to complete these background checks. Drug testing is not a requirement for hire to the position; however, please be aware of The University of Nevada, Reno's alcohol and drug free workplace policy statement.
Questions about the training program can be forwarded to:
Jodi Thomas, Psy.D. (she/her)
Director of Training, Associate Director, Psychologist
(775) 682-8773
jodit@unr.edu
Social Work
Social work practicum positions will be coordinated in conjunction with the University MSW field education program; however, students from external MSW programs are welcome to reach out if interested in training with University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services. Available positions will be assessed on a year-by-year basis.
We are currently accepting applications for 15-20 hour per week therapy emphasis practicum positions (“Concentration Year”) for MSW students for the 2025-2026 training year.
Foundation/First Year: individual case management sessions, resource management and consultation with community and campus providers, campus outreach and consultation, optional group counseling observation, individual supervision, group supervision, didactic seminars, client presentations, monthly staff meetings, monthly staff diversity trainings, administrative and documentation time.
Concentration/Second Year: same-day sessions, individual counseling, optional group counseling, individual supervision, group supervision, didactic seminars, client presentations, optional campus outreach, monthly staff meetings, monthly staff diversity trainings, administrative and documentation time.
Required:
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a formal masters’ program in Social Work (preferably an accredited program).
- Applicants must be in good standing with their program at the time of application.
Preferred:
- University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services seeks individuals with a strong commitment to teamwork, diversity and inclusion, have solid communication skills, balance good self-care with effective practice, are open to learning and value self-reflection as a tool for professional development.
- Preference will be given to applicants with prior counseling experience.
If attending the University of Nevada, Reno MSW program, social work practicum positions will be coordinated in conjunction with the University of Nevada, Reno MSW field education program. Students from external MSW programs are welcome to reach out directly if interested in training with University of Nevada, Reno CS.
University of Nevada, Reno School of Social Work applicants: Please apply through the Sonia system during your program’s instructed timeframe.
External applicants: Please upload your materials through the University of Nevada, Reno Workday site by 8 a.m. on May 19, 2025. (Requisition R0146706)
Required materials:
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the position you are applying to
- Up to date vita or resume
- Contact information for three references, at least one who can speak to your clinical work (or to your clinical training if you will be new to providing clinical services)
Interviews will take place early to mid-June at the Counseling Services office and last approximately 45-50 minutes.
Please note:
Candidates who are hired for this position are required to complete two background checks to comply with university and department policies. 7,002: Policy on the Protection of Children and 2,530: Background Check Policy. Failure to pass the background check to the satisfaction of the institution invalidates and voids the employment contract. There is no cost to the employee to complete these background checks. Drug testing is not a requirement for hire to the position; however, please be aware of The University of Nevada, Reno's alcohol and drug free workplace policy statement.
Questions about the training program can be forwarded to:
Jodi Thomas, Psy.D. (she/her)
Director of Training, Associate Director, Psychologist
(775) 682-8773
jodit@unr.edu
Psychology assessment practicum
Applications for the Summer 2025 Assessment Practicum are now closed.
Direct Service (clinical interviewing and psychological testing, delivering client assessment feedback): 30% (varies week to week)
Indirect Service (integrated report writing, test scoring/interpretation, individual supervision, group supervision, assessment presentations and didactic seminars, monthly staff meetings, staff diversity training): 70%
We are offering a 20 hour per week position for the summer 2025 term. There is a preference for students to begin as early as May 6, 2025; however, the date is negotiable. The practicum will be completed on July 31, 2025. Assessment practicum students are highly encouraged to attend the weekly assessment group supervision/seminar held on Thursdays 11 a.m.-12 p.m.. Practicum students will be provided with orientation to the center and the position.
Base pay is $40,800 per year, adjusted based on number of hours worked per week (percentage of FTE). This range is for 40 hours/week or 100% FTE.
For every 20 hours per week worked, practicum students receive 3.3 hours of sick leave per month, 3.3 hours of personal/ vacation leave per month, and 1 hour of professional development time per month. They also receive all University holidays off.
Required:
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a formal doctoral program in Counseling, Clinical, or School Psychology and be in good standing (preferably APA accredited).
Preferred:
- University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services seeks individuals with a strong commitment to teamwork, diversity and inclusion, have solid communication skills, balance good self-care with effective practice, are open to learning and value self-reflection as a tool for professional development.
- Preference will be given to applicants with prior assessment training and experience.
Applications for the Summer 2025 Assessment Practicum are now closed.
Use the University Workday link to submit your application materials:
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the position you are applying to
- Up to date vita
- Contact information for three references, at least one who can speak to your psychological assessment work (or to your assessment training if you will be new to providing clinical services)
Interviews will be scheduled to take place at the Counseling Services office and last approximately 45-50 minutes.
Please note:
Candidates who are hired for this position are required to complete two background checks to comply with university and department policies. 7,002: Policy on the Protection of Children and 2,530: Background Check Policy. Failure to pass the background check to the satisfaction of the institution invalidates and voids the employment contract. There is no cost to the employee to complete these background checks. Drug testing is not a requirement for hire to the position; however, please be aware of The University of Nevada, Reno's alcohol and drug free workplace policy statement.
Questions about the training program can be forwarded to:
Jodi Thomas, Psy.D. (she/her)
Director of Training, Associate Director, Psychologist
(775) 682-8773
jodit@unr.edu
Practicum contact
Jodi Thomas, Psy.D.
Director of Training
Associate Director
Licensed Psychologist
Phone: (775) 682-8773
Email: jodit@unr.edu
*Specific Practicum informational brochures are available for each position. If you are interested in obtaining a copy via email, please reach out.