The Practicum Experience

Guided Reflection Exercise

The practicum begins with a guided reflection exercise that encourages participants to consider what they learned throughout the eight-course program and how those insights can be applied in their professional practice and everyday interactions.

  • What have you learned? What do you know now that you didn’t know prior to the online coursework?
  • How have you changed?
  • What do you think anyone in your profession should understand? Why is this important?
  • What key issues have you identified that are barriers to recovery?
  • Where do you see opportunity to apply what you have learned? What actions do you plan to take to make this learning concrete?
Research & Application Project

This option finds participants selecting a substance use disorder-related research study or published article for further exploration. They summarize key findings, identify questions raised by the material, and seek evidence-based answers to deepen their understanding of the topic.

This pathway encourages:

  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Research literacy
  • Evidence-informed decision making
  • Exploration of emerging topics in prevention, treatment, and recovery
Behavior Change & Reflection Experience

This option finds participants selecting a personal behavior or habit to abstain from for two weeks, such as caffeine, soda, social media, or another personally relevant activity. Through journaling and reflection, participants examine motivation, habits, triggers, and challenges associated with behavior change.

This pathway encourages:

  • Self-reflection and personal insight
  • Greater understanding of behavior change processes
  • Increased empathy for individuals navigating recovery
  • Deeper connection between course concepts and lived experience