The Department of Human Development and Family Sciences has a long-standing tradition of offering undergraduate students experiential learning opportunities in research labs, through community partnerships, and at the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory (UT Lab School).
Students earning a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Science and Arts degree require 6 credit hours of Research or Field Practicum coursework to graduate.
Students can meet this requirement with:
- 2 consecutive semesters of the Research Practicum through HDF 355R (carries an Independent Inquiry Flag) or 359 (does not carry an independent inquiry flag) in the fall, spring or summer of their junior or senior year
- 1 semester of Field Practicum through HDF 652F or 652P (if placed at the UT Lab School) in only the fall or spring of their senior year
Please contact your academic advisor in the SoHE Advising Center, call 512-471-7219, or go to GEA 37 if you are uncertain of your requirements.
Admission is by application only and filed with the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. Advising will send an email to HDFS students early each semester with more information on the application process, which takes 3 steps:
- Attend a mandatory information session
- Indicate an interest in applying to either the field or research practicum
- Gain access to a Canvas course with the application
Application Procedure
Application Procedure for Research Practicum (HDF 355R/359)
Please check regularly for updates.
Must be completed 1 semester before placement. Available fall, spring and summer (for select labs).
Recommendation: Meet with your Academic Advisor early to discuss how the Research Practicum would fit into your academic plan.
- Be on the lookout for an email from SoHE Advising about Field and Research Practicums each semester. Typically, these emails will come in early to mid-September and between late January to February. Attend a mandatory information session.
- Complete a Research Practicum interest survey through Qualtrics.
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You will receive access to a Canvas page that has more information and the official Research Practicum application with the deadline.
On the application, students will be asked to indicate 3 faculty members with whom they would like to work. The Practicum Coordinator will pair students with faculty based on student-faculty choices, previous research experience, career interests, scheduling availability, GPA, and faculty member need. Please know that this complicated process can take time, that faculty members listed below may or may not be taking students during the semester you apply, that many labs require that you volunteer in advance of completing research for Research Practicum credit and that some have an even higher GPA requirement for their lab. In short, research practicum placements have become very competitive and students are not always accepted or placed with the faculty member of their choice. See a comprehensive list of faculty and their research interests.
- You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed and your acceptance status has been determined.
- If accepted, the Practicum Coordinator will email you to connect you with a research faculty member and will share details on how to register. All research faculty have an interview process. Some have an additional application.
- Please feel free to contact Natalie Ammon, Practicum Coordinator, at hdfs.practicum@utexas.edu with your UTEID, your year in school, the type of practicum you are interested in (field or research), the semester you would like to take the course, and any questions.
Application Procedure for Field Practicum (HDF 652F/652P)
Please check regularly for updates.
Must be completed 2 semesters before placement. Available fall and spring.
- Be on the lookout for an email from SoHE Advising about Field and Research Practicums each semester. Typically, these emails will come in early to mid-September and between late January and February. Attend a mandatory information session.
- Complete a Field Practicum interest survey through Qualtrics.
- You will receive an email granting you access to a Canvas page that has more information and the official Field Practicum application with the deadline. Please be prepared to meet with your Academic Advisor to complete the Academic Plan Form, which will be provided on the Canvas website.
- You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed and your acceptance status has been determined.
- If accepted, the Practicum Coordinator will hold a mandatory meeting 1 semester in advance of your field practicum on how to secure a practicum placement (you self-select off of a curated list of community partners) and will share details on how to register. All sites have an interview process. Some require an additional application.
- Please feel free to contact Natalie Ammon, Practicum Coordinator, at hdfs.practicum@utexas.edu with your UTEID, your year in school, the type of practicum you are interested in (field or research), the semester you would like to take the course, and any questions.
FAQs
What is the difference between a practicum and an internship?
A practicum usually requires fewer hours a week than an internship and is often paired with an academic course for credit. Practicum students usually spend more time in the semester shadowing or observing trained professionals in the field while interns are often expected to take on greater responsibility at the placement site.
When can I complete a 6-credit hour Research or Field Practicum?
The HDF 355R course is available in fall, spring, and summer. You may take two consecutive semesters of HDF 355R in the same lab once you have completed any prerequisites and have upper division standing. The HDF 652F/652P course is only available during the fall and spring. You may take this course sometime in your senior year once you have completed any prerequisites. Please contact your academic advisor or review the course catalog for further details.
How do I know if I need to complete a 6-credit hour Research or Field Practicum? When is the best time for me to take complete this course? Which one should I choose?
Please contact your academic advisor about your degree requirements and when to take the course. You may also contact them or email the Practicum Coordinator for further guidance on whether to choose the Field or Research Practicum.
How and when do I choose a Field Practicum site?
Once you have been accepted to the Practicum Program, you will receive an email from the Practicum Coordinator with further instructions. You typically choose a site the semester before you take the course. You may select one that interests you from a list of over 50 community sites and Site Supervisors with whom we have existing partnerships.
What is the Field Experience course HDF 352/352L?
A 10-hour experiential learning opportunity in the community or at the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory (UT Lab School). These courses typically do not count toward the Practicum requirement unless you make a two-semester commitment to the UT Lab School.
Are the Research and Field practicums paid positions?
No, they are typically unpaid experiential learning opportunities for course credit.
Timeline
Research Practicum enrollment occurs 1 semester in advance.
- The application process starts in September for spring students and the deadline is in September.
- The application process starts in late January to early February for summer and fall students and the deadline is in late February or early March.
Field Practicum enrollment occurs 2 semesters in advance.
- The application process for fall the following year starts in early to mid September with an application deadline in late October to early November.
- The application process for spring the following year starts in late January to February with an application in late February or early March.
Contact
Natalie Ammon, Practicum Coordinator
hdfs.practicum@utexas.edu
Please include your UTEID, year in school, the type of practicum you are interested in (field or research) and the semester you would like to take the course.