School Counseling Practicum/Internship Program

Arlington Public Schools (APS) wishes to work with universities to assist students in the development of professional school counseling skills by providing practicum and internship supervision in an Arlington Public School. APS is a prevention-oriented district and School Counselors are staffed at a relatively low ratio in order to be resources for all students, teachers, and parents. APS School Counselors provide a wide range of support services to their schools, including classroom lessons, individual and group counseling, consultation with staff and parents, peer and community education, risk assessments, and crisis management. APS staff emphasize alignment with the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Model and expect graduate students to contribute to implementing a data driven comprehensive school counseling program. School counseling practicum and internship students are offered the opportunity to participate in these activities alongside their building level supervisor. APS is committed to sustaining a high level of professional development, thus, there are regular staff development opportunities, which will be available to practicum and internship students.

APS must have a valid MOU or Affiliation Agreement with your college/university in order to complete a placement. If you are not sure of your college/university status, check with your university field placement coordinator. 

NEW APPLICANTS

Our online application requires the documents listed below. Please ensure you have all documents ready before starting the online application as you will be uploading each document into the application and cannot save and return to an incomplete application at a later time.

• Personal Statement/Letter of Intent: Please upload a two-page statement which includes: personal information, an explanation of your work experience and special skills related to school counseling, why you want to become a school counselor, any specific location preferences in APS and any conflicts (relatives in any APS schools). *NOTE – specific site requests are not guaranteed.
• Resume
• Transcripts (Undergraduate and Graduate)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Negative TB test or proof of negative screening within placement year

RETURNING APPLICANTS

Our online application requires the documents listed below. Please ensure you have all documents ready before starting the online application as you will be uploading each document into the application and cannot save and return to an incomplete application at a later time.
APS counseling does not automatically guarantee prior practicum students an internship placement the following semester. 

• Updated Letter of Intent: Include any location preferences (students are welcome to request school placement preference, however, they are not guaranteed as decisions are based on supervisor availability) and any conflicts (relatives in any APS schools).
• Negative TB test or proof of negative screening within placement year
• Updated transcripts (Graduate courses)

APPLICATION DEADLINES – Late applications will not be considered

• Fall semester placement: *March 24th by 4:00 p.m.
  • *NOTE Deadline has been extended
• Spring semester placement: first Friday in November by 4:00 p.m.  

ONLINE APPLICATIONS

• NEW Applicants – Fall 2023 Application
• RETURNING Applicants – Fall 2023 Application

NEXT STEPS

After we receive completed applications, applicants will be contacted to schedule a mandatory screening interview. Upon approval, applicants’ names and supporting documentation will be forwarded to Human Resources for fingerprinting and criminal background checks.  Once the HR process is complete, students and their supervising university will receive official documentation of their placement in Arlington Public Schools.

Further inquiries regarding APS counseling practicum and internship placements may be directed to Heather Davis, Counseling Services Coordinator, at 703-228-6073, or heather.davis@apsva.us.