Student Learning Practicum program

The Student Learning Practicum program supports students in social work or other mental health related programs as they complete their practicum requirements in higher education.

Our Student Learning Practicum Program Mission

The mission of the Student Learning Practicum program (SLP program) is to reduce barriers to higher education by curating a technologically driven environment for students to enhance their knowledge, and proficiency of Crisis Intervention practice through a medium of text.  In addition, we aim to ensure students are a part of an equitable and ethically centered practicum. By doing so, it is the organization’s primary goal to ensure students walk away enriched, and with a stronger connection and drive to embody the competencies and principles of the field of Social Work and Mental Health.

Volunteer and Practicum Student Duties

Crisis Text Line’s service is powered by volunteer Crisis Counselors and practicum students who work remotely—anywhere with a computer and secure internet connection. Trained Crisis Counselors answer texts from people in crisis, bringing them from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening, collaborative problem solving, and safety planning.

The Student Learning Practicum program supports students who are English speaking as well as students who are bilingual in Spanish and English.

Student Responsibilities & Expectations

Student responsibilities include: accruing weekly hours toward your placement (direct and indirect per the requirements of your school), taking conversations on the Platform, reading newsletters sent by Practicum Specialist, attending Crisis Text Line webinars, attending Monthly Skills Enhancer training hosted on a rotating schedule by each Practicum Specialist, attend weekly group supervision, respond to emails from Practicum Specialist in a timely fashion, attend office hours with Practicum Specialist as needed, incorporate feedback from Practicum Specialist via conversation transcripts.

This placement offers immense flexibility for student schedules, and also requires a high level of self-motivation and accountability because of the relative difference in structure compared to other in-person sites. Students should be aware that the content of crisis conversations can be intense at times, and yet they will have access to support in the moment on the Platform and also from Student Learning Practicum program staff.

Discover more about the Student Learning
Practicum program:

Quick Glance: Practicum Fact Sheet
The Crisis Text Line practicum has been an enriching, valuable learning experience that continues to hone my communications skills.
Amanda M, SLP Student

Current Partnerships

  • Baylor University– Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • Columbia University – School of Social Work
  • Eastern Washington University– School of Social Work
  • Hawaii Pacific University– College of Health and Society- Social Work and Public Health
  • Helen Keller Services for the Blind
  • Loyola University Chicago –  School of Social Work
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver– Department of Social Work
  • Mountwest Community & Technical College – AAS in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
  • North Carolina Central University– Department of Social Work
  • New Mexico Highlands University– Facundo Valdez School of Social Work
  • New York University –  Silver School of Social Work
  • Our Lady of the Lake University – School of Professional Studies- Worden School of Social Services
  • Rutgers University – School of Social Work & Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
  • Salisbury University / University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)  – Department of Social Work

 

  • State University of New York (SUNY)– Plattsburgh – Department of Social Work
  • Texas Christian University – Department of Social Work
  • University of Alaska Anchorage– School of Social Work
  • University of Central Florida– School of Social Work
  • University of Denver– Graduate School of Professional Psychology & Graduate School of Social Work
  • University of Kentucky – College of Social Work
  • University of Michigan – School of Social Work
  • University of Montana – School of Social Work
  • University of Northern Iowa – Social Work Department
  • University of Oklahoma– Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work
  • University of South Florida– School of Social Work
  • University of Southern California-Suzanne Dworak School of Social Work
  • University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – Master of Science in Social Work
  • Washington University in St. Louis– Brown School

Interested in becoming a partnered university/college with the Student Learning Practicum program? Complete our Partnership Request & Inquiry Form here.

How To Apply

If you attend one of our partnered schools or programs and are interested in applying for a Field Practicum with Crisis Text Line, please have your Field Coordinator reach out to: practicum-admissions@crisistextline.org 

All Field Coordinators will be asked to complete the SLP program New Student Referral Form on your behalf (self referrals are also accepted). Our SLP program Onboarding Manager and Leadership Team will review each request and if eligible will send an “Invitation to Apply” via email.

Every placement opportunity is contingent upon the successful completion of Crisis Counselor Training.

Awards and Recognition

Outstanding Community Partner Award
Our Lady of the Lake University – Worden School of Social Service – 2022-23

 

Outstanding Community Partner Award
Our Lady of the Lake University – Worden School of Social Service – 2021-22

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