Practicum

Origin

German Praktikum, from Late Latin practicum, neuter of practicus practical

• 1904

Definition

• 1: a course of study designed especially for the preparation of teachers and clinicians that involves the supervised practical application of previously studied theory

Description

A practicum is a graduate level course, often in a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students supervised practical application of a previously or concurrently studied theory. Practicums (student teaching) are common for education and social work majors. In some cases, the practicum may be a part-time student teaching placement that occurs the semester before a student's full-time student teaching placement. It is also called work placement, especially in the UK. The process resembles an internship; however, the latter is often not part of the school program.