Practicum vs Internship: what’s the difference?
Are you wondering: What is a practicum? What’s an internship? What’s the difference between a practicum and an internship?
As a student or recent graduate, “practicum” and “internship” might be unfamiliar terms. To pursue professional growth and practical experience in a field, most college students or new college graduates will participate in some type of internship or practicum during or right after their college years.
Practicums and internships are experiential learning opportunities that serve as crucial stepping stones between theoretical knowledge and its real-world application. Internships and practicums help students take what they’ve learned in college courses and use that knowledge in a professional setting.
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, it’s essential to recognize the fundamental differences between a practicum vs. an internship.
Here is everything you need to know about what are the differences between practicums and internships, as well as what to think about if you are considering a practicum vs internship in college.
Practicums vs Internships
Understanding Practicums and Internships
Practicums
A practicum is a form of experiential learning or practical training that allows students or professionals to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained through study in a real-world setting.
Practicum experience provides a hands-on learning environment that complements theoretical education and provides practical exposure to the field of study or profession.
Practicum placements usually involve students observing experienced professionals. And those professionals guide students in the supervised application of their studies in a real working environment.
Internships
An internship is a temporary work experience that offers practical training and professional development to individuals, often students or recent graduates, who are looking to gain hands-on experience in a specific field or industry.
Internship experiences are usually provided by companies, organizations, or institutions and are designed to help participants bridge the gap between their academic learning and the real-world application of their knowledge and skills.
An internship provides entry-level experience into a career field. Interns generally have more independence to complete tasks in their work setting.
What is the difference between a practicum and an internship?
Internships and practicums have several key differences:
Purpose
The biggest difference between an internship and a practicum is the purpose of each experience.
In an internship, the student works independently on assigned tasks. Students perform duties without constant supervision, although an on-site supervisor will provide feedback and evaluation.
An internship is more like a conventional part-time job. Internships provide practical experience, an introduction to a professional network, and an opportunity to build professional skills in a specific field.
In a practicum, the student closely observes someone with years of pertinent professional experience. The student takes notes and documents the experience.
Then, the student compares their real-world observations with the theory they are learning in class. Any work a student does in a professional setting during a practicum is closely supervised.
While internships are usually optional, practicums are required for certification in certain fields. Practicums are part of the academic preparation for a career.
Context
Practicums may be a mandatory component of an academic program or offered as an optional opportunity for students to enhance their learning. Practicums go hand-in-hand with coursework, assignments, and discussion about students’ observations in the field.
Internships may complement college coursework, but they are not required for degree completion.
Duration
Practicums are usually shorter in duration, from a few weeks to an entire semester. An internship can last a few months to a year.
Supervision
Practicums are closely supervised by a faculty member or professional. Internships are supervised by an intern coordinator or job supervisor at the internship site.
Academic Credit
Practicums often have specific learning objectives and are mandatory for academic credit.
Internships may be tied to academic credit, but are not usually a required part of coursework.
Scope
The scope of work the student performs is quite different in an internship vs a practicum.
Practicums are usually more structured and narrowly focused on one specific topic or area of study.
Internships can be focused or offer a broader exposure to a different aspects of a company or overall profession.
How are Internships and practicums the same?
Internships and practicums both offer students on-site, real-world experience where they have opportunities use the skills they have learned in college.
Students can build new skills, demonstrate competencies, apply concepts they’ve have learned at university, and experience the work environment.
Students earning bachelor’s degrees or master’s degrees may be encouraged or required to participate in internships or practicums.
Practicums and internships are of fixed duration. They may last a few weeks or several months, depending on the field.
About Practicums
What is a practicum?
A practicum is an assignment in the student’s field of interest that allows students to observe working professionals doing their job.
Students participating in a practicum do a limited number of tasks, and they are closely supervised by a professional. Practicums are mostly hands-off observation and reflection on the theories and processes behind the work of the professionals.
As part of their practicum, students may simultaneously take courses to learn more about the requirements, expectations, and duties of their chosen profession.
What is the purpose of a practicum?
In a practicum, a student shadows and observes a professional who explains their work duties and expectations.
The student correlates the field practices they are observing with the theories that they are studying in college. Students in a practicum record and report their observations to their professor.
What fields offer practicums?
Practicums can be found in various fields, including education, healthcare, social work, psychology, engineering, and more.
The structure and requirements of a practicum can vary depending on the institution, program, or industry, but common elements include supervised practice, reflection, and evaluation.
The hands-on experience gained through a practicum can significantly contribute to a student’s overall understanding and readiness for their future career.
Here are examples of some fields that require practicums:
Practicum in Education
A teaching practicum would involve the student observing and shadowing an experienced teacher, rather than doing any teaching.
Practicum in Nursing
In a nursing practicum, a student will work under the supervision of a clinical supervisor and a course instructor in an acute care setting.
Practicum in Psychology
A psychology practicum would involve students watching a psychologist interact with patients, counsel patients, and recommend treatments.
Practicum in Social Work
In an social work practicum, students can work in a variety of agencies or organizations, and work directly with children, families, or individuals, under the supervision of a professional social worker.
Are practicums full time or part time?
Practicums are usually part time. Students visit their assigned workplace for two to four hours at a time, usually multiple times a week, for several weeks over the course of the practicum.
Usually practicum placements are limited to around ten hours per week. Practicums usually happen outside of the school setting, but during the regular school week.
Do students get paid during a practicum?
Students participating in a practicum do not get paid.
Do you get college credit for a practicum?
Practicums are part of a college program’s coursework, so you will usually receive college credit for participating in a practicum. Participating is part of the requirement for certain courses and majors.
How will a practicum benefit me?
Completing a practicum allows students to observe professionals at work and hone their own interpersonal skills. Practicums give students a chance to see how the theories they’ve been studying are put to work in a real setting.
By doing a practicum, students can see what happens behind the scenes in their career field. This helps students choose their area of focus and prepare for their careers.
How do you get a practicum?
Your college department may assign you a practicum as part of your degree requirements. Often academic programs have long-term relationships with local organizations so that placing students into practicums is a very easy process.
However, you may need to find a practicum site placement on your own. In this case, first clarify with your college what the requirements are for your practicum. See if they have a list of approved organizations that you could contact.
Once you have found an appropriate workplace, send an email to an administrator. Introduce yourself. Explain where you attend college, your course of study, and your practicum requirements (including number of hours).
Define what requirements your practicum supervisor must meet. Give a preferred or required timeline for the practicum. Provide your full name, phone number, and email address.
Note that if you don’t hear from the supervisor in a week, you will reach out by phone to follow up.
About Internships
What is an internship?
An internship a is a type of professional learning and working experience. An internship is similar to a real job. Interns do work that is similar to the duties of the job they want to have.
College students who complete an internship can undertake meaningful work related to their major or career interests.
Professionals working in the field supervise interns. During the internship, interns receive guidance, training, and evaluations of their performance. Internships involve doing actual hands-on work, usually with a fair amount of independence.
What is the purpose of an internship?
Completing an internship gives a student practical work experience. Students who have worked on significant tasks or projects will gain work experience they can include on their resume.
Internship opportunities give students a chance to try out fields they might be interested in, to see what the work is really like.
What fields offer internships?
Unlike practicums, internships are not usually required, although they may be strongly recommended.
Students can do an internship in any field of study.Here are some examples of internships:
Internship in education
Student teaching is an internship where education majors collaborate with teachers to create lesson plans, manage a classroom, and teach students independently.
Internship in Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists participate in internships where they evaluate patients, consult on decisions about therapy, and assist patients with their therapy plans.
Internship in Business
Business interns may work in sales and marketing, research, communication, or other fields. Business interns help with special projects as well as the mundane tasks in their areas of expertise.
Internship in Social Work
A social work internship allows social work students to get practical experience in the field, by working with families, individuals, and communities on various issues.
Internship in Engineering
Engineering students may work as interns in a variety of engineering companies. There are opportunities for chemical, electrical, mechanical, and all other engineering majors.
Are internships full time or part time?
Internships can be full time or part time. Internships can last a few weeks, an entire summer break, a semester, or even longer.
Do students get paid during an internship?
Internships can be paid or unpaid.
Paid internships are more common in certain industries and can help offset the expenses of the intern during their time with the company. Some internships offer a generous stipend (a payment for services that is not based on an hourly rate) and/or extra funds for lodging or transportation.
Some colleges offer stipends to assist students participating in an unpaid internship. (They might not be much, so you’ll still have to live cheaply when you’re doing an internship.)
Do you get college credit for an internship?
Most often, interns do not receive college credit for completing an internship.
However, sometimes students do receive academic credit for participating in an internship. If you want college credit for an internship, you should make arrangements with your college before participating in the internship.
How will an internship benefit me?
Participating in an internship will give students real-life work experience. This will help them develop interpersonal skills, see what the work environment is like, and learn about the profession.
Students will get a behind-the-scenes look at the career field they’re considering and learn what skills would be most helpful in that work environment.
Adding your internship experience to your resume will make you more competitive in the job market.
Some companies tend to hire mostly people who have completed internships with them. Internships with these companies tend to be highly competitive.
How do you get an internship?
Students can arrange internships on their own by reaching out to organizations they’d like to work for. Often, businesses and agencies advertise available internships.
Students should also work with their college’s career services center or internship coordinator to learn about available internships.
Staff in the career services office can help students find appropriate internships, including internships in other cities or regions of the country. Career services staff can also help students prepare cover letters and resumes for their internship applications.
FAQs about Practicums and Internships
Should you do an internship or a practicum?
When deciding whether you should do an internship or a practicum, know that which one you do will largely depend on what field you are planning to work in for your future career. If you are considering an internship vs practicum, both would be a valuable learning opportunity.
It is very helpful for students to observe professionals in their day-to-day working lives and see what their careers are actually like.
Students benefit greatly from being asked to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in real world settings, rather than solely on exams and in the classroom.
Deciding between a practicum vs internship is largely a matter of what course of study and degree program is most relevant to a student’s future career goals
What will I do for my Internship or practicum?
What you do for your practicum or internship will depend on your college, your coursework, and your employer or supervisor.
In a practicum, expect to primarily observe a professional doing their job. Eventually, you may be given some tasks to do.
Expect your practicum mentor to discuss your observations and notes so that you understand the professional’s choices and so you can ask questions. Practicums allow students to learn in a way that school work alone will not.
In an internship, expect to work on a project, tasks, or other job duties with minimal supervision. You should have an assigned supervisor who will provide feedback and who you can go to to ask any questions you may have, either about your assigned tasks or about careers in the field.
Where should I do my practicum or internship?
You should try to complete your practicum or internship in a workplace relevant to your anticipated career path.
For example, if you want to work in a small advertising agency, you should try to complete an internship at a small ad company.
If you’re interested in being a social worker for children and families, do your practicum at a school counseling office or an agency that specializes in families in crisis.
Practically speaking, try to choose a place that is a convenient location for you to get to, since you’ll have to travel to and from your internship or practicum site often for the duration of your
Students don’t always have much say as to where they get placed for an internship or practicum, so don’t worry if you don’t get your first choice. Also, you’ll get good experience wherever you go.
Wondering about the pros and cons of advanced standing in college? Read this!
How to succeed at a practicum or internship?
Be on time
Show up five minutes early so you’re ready to start work on time.
Ask questions
Be sure you understand your supervisor’s expectations and how to do your assignments.
Dress professionally
Find out what the workplace dress code is before your first day of work and dress accordingly.
Manage your time
Use a calendar or time management app to organize your tasks and make sure you are completing your duties. Don’t waste time chatting with other students when you should be working.
Communicate
Be sure to discuss your observations, give feedback, and follow up with reflections. Keep an open mind to any input you receive from your supervisor.
Participate fully
Don’t just observe. Ask where you can take the lead. Jump in when your help would be useful.
Keep records
Organize your notes, examples of your work, and evidence of your accomplishments. Track your progress by noting resources you’ve learned about, ideas you’d like to try, and key revelations.
Be appreciative
Send a thank you note to your mentor or supervisor at the end of your practicum or internship. Remember that this person might be writing you a letter of recommendation in the future—or you may even apply for a job in their company or agency!
What else should you know about doing a practicum or internship?
Talk to your college department about the requirements for a practicum. Find out what paperwork you must complete before, during, and after the practicum to get credit.
Ask about the timeframes and deadlines for each step of the practicum.
Find out how much support your program will provide to place you into a practicum or help you arrange one on your own. Ask your department for guidance or contact your student career center for help.
Ask if there are opportunities for financial support through the university if you are completing an unpaid internship.
Find out if internships could be used as course credit before starting the program.
Final thoughts on practicums and internships
Internships and practicums provide an important learning experience for students, as they explore their chosen career field. By participating in an internship or practicum, students learn more about their chosen occupations and work environments.
However, practicums and internships are distinct types of experiential learning with significant differences.
Practicums provide training and observational opportunities to students within academic programs. Internships offer real-world exposure to jobs, assignments, and work environments.
Most importantly, practicums and internships vary greatly by the type of degree and certification the student is working towards.
Your college department or career services office will be able to provide guidance on the specific requirements you need to follow, as you decide which would be right for you: practicum vs. internship.
