For students in CACREP entry-level counseling programs
What Is the Difference Between CACREP Practicum and Internship?
Compare the 2024 CACREP entry-level practicum and internship requirements, then check your own program's handbook and separate state licensure rules.
Text-only practice with fictional clients, for adult learners (graduate students and early-career practitioners). Feedback is AI-generated and can be wrong.
Under CACREP's 2024 entry-level standards, practicum comes before internship. Practicum requires at least 100 hours, including 40 of direct service, across a full academic term of at least eight weeks. Internship follows successful practicum completion and requires 600 hours, including at least 240 of direct service. Source: Section 4.Q–V.
This is a scoped reference for entry-level counseling programs using those standards. It is not a universal calendar, a state licensure checklist or a statement of requirements for MSW and MFT degrees.
Compare the requirements in context
The following figures come from CACREP 2024 Section 4.Q–X. Check the full standard and your program's instructions alongside the table.
| Requirement | Practicum | Internship |
|---|---|---|
| Total experience | At least 100 hours | 600 hours after successful practicum completion |
| Direct service with actual clients | At least 40 hours | At least 240 hours |
| Duration specified here | Full academic term, at least eight weeks | Check your program's calendar |
| Individual and/or triadic supervision | Regular schedule averaging one hour weekly | Regular schedule averaging one hour weekly |
| Group supervision | Regular schedule averaging 1½ hours weekly | Regular schedule averaging 1½ hours weekly |
Those supervision rows summarize frequency, not who is eligible to provide it. Read the provider provisions in the linked standard with your program rather than appointing a supervisor from this table.
Use the table to ask better planning questions
CACREP's application FAQ explains that programs may exceed its minimum requirements. Ask your coordinator for your program's actual requirements before estimating a schedule.
Try these questions:
- Which handbook and course requirements apply to my placement?
- What must be completed and approved before I move to internship?
- Which activities fit each category in our log?
- Who reviews entries, and when should I raise a shortfall?
- What happens if the site's schedule changes or client appointments are cancelled?
- Which questions about a future license should I take to the state board?
Write the program's answer beside each question. Leave unresolved items visible. Do not assume that an anticipated appointment, a site offer or your own spreadsheet total settles them.
A planning example without promised hours
Imagine a fictional student who has enough scheduled placement time on a calendar but does not yet know how much approved direct service it will include. Their useful next step is to ask the coordinator and site supervisor to review the plan. It is not to label every scheduled hour as direct service.
Rehearse the question: "Could we compare my approved categories and current plan with what the program requires? I want to identify what still needs arranging before I assume the timeline works."
Keep this exercise separate from real-client records. For rehearsal of a client-conversation opening, use the first-practicum-session guide.
Keep optional reps outside the requirement
The 2024 CACREP glossary expressly excludes role-plays from direct service. SeatTime uses fictional AI clients; its reps do not count toward practicum, field or licensure hours in any category. Its AI feedback can be wrong and cannot approve your log or determine whether you may advance in a program.
Frequently asked questions
Which requirements should I use when planning my placement?
Bring the current standards and your program's current handbook to your coordinator. Ask the program to confirm the requirements, sequence and calendar that apply to you.
Does reaching the total mean I can move to internship?
Do not treat a total as permission to advance. Ask your program which completion and progression requirements must be confirmed before internship begins.
Do these numbers tell me the rules for an MSW or MFT degree?
Do not apply this counseling-program table to another degree. Ask that program for its own fieldwork requirements and consult the relevant licensing board separately.
Can simulated client conversations fill a direct-service gap?
Do not count SeatTime reps as direct service or any other practicum, field or licensure hours. SeatTime uses fictional clients and provides optional rehearsal only.
Try a five-minute practice conversation
SeatTime is a text-only practice simulator: you type to a fictional AI client, then read AI-generated feedback on what you did. No account or card needed for the free exercise.
Start the free practice exerciseSeatTime practice is not direct service and does not count toward practicum, field or licensure hours.
Text-only practice with fictional clients, for adult learners (graduate students and early-career practitioners). Feedback is AI-generated and can be wrong. It's optional practice outside your program and doesn't count toward any program, placement, or licensing requirement. Use fictional details only. Your supervisor's guidance comes first.
Choosing practice for a course or cohort? See program pricing and group access for counseling, MSW and MFT trainees.