During fieldwork, you will engage in practical, relevant, and meaningful experiences across the domains of academic, social/emotional, and college/career counseling. Fieldwork is your opportunity to observe the workings of counseling sites, apply the knowledge gained in the classroom, and continue to develop a style as a school counselor in pre-K-12 or college settings. You are strongly encouraged to immerse yourself in the hands-on learning processes – learning beyond what’s simply required is essential for professional and personal growth.
While you are enrolled in EDUC 677A/B/C courses, you will complete the following hour requirements based on your program track:
Pre-K-12 Track & Credential-Only Program Includes PPS Credential |
Combo (Pre-K-12 + College) Track Includes PPS Credential |
College Track |
800 Total Hours of Fieldwork | 800 Total Hours of Fieldwork | 600 Total Hours of Fieldwork |
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As a fieldwork candidate, you are may begin fieldwork as early as the third term (summer, first year). To advance to fieldwork, you must complete the steps outlined below.
While completing your pre-fieldwork requirements, begin to think about your areas of interest within counseling and how your fieldwork experience will align with your professional and personal goals. As fieldwork plays a central role in your development as a school and/or college counselor, it is the time for you to explore and learn about the counseling services, spaces, and populations that interest you the most.
You can begin to identify your professional and personal goals by:
To ensure you are best prepared to begin your fieldwork experience, you must complete all the pre-fieldwork requirements, including coursework and practica.
For further information about the pre-fieldwork requirements, please visit the Pre-Fieldwork page.
In February of each year, the Office of Licensures and Credentialing (OLC) partners with the Department of Counseling and Human Services (DCHS) to host a Practicum/Fieldwork Fair. The fair aims to help counseling students explore practicum/fieldwork settings, foster greater understanding of programs and services that align to school and clinical counseling, and share resources and expectations related to practicum/fieldwork. First-year students are expected to attend the fair as it will help prepare them for a successful transition to the field.
To learn more about the fair, please visit the Practicum/Fieldwork Fair page.
When considering where you will complete your fieldwork experience, you should consider how each potential site will help you meet your professional and personal goals. Whether you are looking at Pre-K-12 or college settings, you should identify how each site's mission, purpose, and direct and indirect services offered will align with your values and allow you to explore your areas of interest.
In order to be qualified, your site supervisor is required to:
Note: If you are interested in a district or organization not currently partnered with the university, please notify the Office of Licensures and Credentialing (olc@redlands.edu) via e-mail as new fieldwork partnerships require a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Redlands and the site. We recommend
If you are interested in completing fieldwork at the Pre-K-12 level, please explore the list of partnering school districts and charter organizations listed on the Pre-K-12 Opportunities page. You will need to identify the school district or charter organization and the level you prefer. You can complete fieldwork at up to two sites per term.
As a candidate seeking a Pre-K-12 placement, you should not contact school districts or make your own Pre-K-12 site arrangements. All requests for Pre-K-12 site placements will be made by the Office of Licensures and Credentialing after you submit the Fieldwork Placement Form by the designated semester deadline.
If you are interested in completing fieldwork at the college level, please explore the College-Level Opportunities page. On this page, you will find the programs and services that align to college counseling and examples of established fieldwork partners. This list will help you identify some of the spaces where you could complete your fieldwork experience. If you need support as you seach for and identify a fieldwork site, you are encouraged to connect with the Office of Career and Professional Development for services and support.
As a candidate seeking a college-level placement, you will initiate the placement process by contacting organizations/institutions directly. Obtaining a placement at a college-level site often requires an additional application process with the site, and the entire process generally takes 6-8 weeks. When considering a particular site, you should ask yourself:
In order to complete fieldwork, you will complete the School Counseling Fieldwork Placement Form (updated link coming soon) by the stated deadline for that particular term. Candidates electing to continue at their current site for an additional semester must also complete the form by the stated deadline.
You will indicate site preference(s) including school district/institution and level. The requirements include:
Approved Practica Log |
You must attach your completed Practica Hour Log of approved practica activities. |
Proof of Liability Insurance | You must attach proof of professional liability insurance. More information about this requirement can be found on the Pre-Fieldwork page. |
Negative TB Test | You must attach proof of a current negative tuberculosis test that will not expire prior to completion of fieldwork. Skin TB tests are valid for 2 years and chest x-ray exams are valid for 5 years. |
Certificate of Clearance | You must have a valid Certificate of Clearance with CTC during the program and at the time of submitting the Fieldwork Placement Form. |
Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) | You must attach your current CV, which should include information such as your educational background, courses completed, volunteer/work experience, pre-fieldwork and/or fieldwork experiences, conferences/presentations, skills, and professional membership(s). |
You will receive an email notification from the Office of Licensures and Credentialing after your placement form has been reviewed and when your placement with a district is confirmed, if applicable. If your fieldwork site requires an additional application process, such as an interview, you will complete those requirements at this time.
If you are planning to complete fieldwork hours at a site that is not currently partnered with the University of Redlands, the Office of Licensures and Credentialing will begin the process of securing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the site prior to you beginning your fieldwork experience.