Psychedelic Studies

The practicum is the capstone of our rigorous training program.

Structure & Requirements

To earn practicum credit, each student must (1) complete a field placement of at least 100 hours under the supervision of a qualified practitioner or researcher, (2) attend and participate in a weekly seminar, and (3) submit ongoing reflective work, and (4) receive a satisfactory evaluation from their supervisor and seminar instructor.

Field placement. Over roughly 12 weeks, students average 8–10 hours per week at their approved site. At least 48 of those hours must be direct client or participant contact carried out in collaboration with a senior practitioner. Placements may span clinical, research, retreat, crisis‑support, or advocacy settings, provided the supervisor holds appropriate licensure, registration, certification, or ordination.

Weekly seminar. Students meet as a cohort with program faculty for discussion‑based sessions that integrate onsite experiences with scholarly readings, case material, and ethical dilemmas. Because the seminar is an essential component of reflective practice, attendance is mandatory; any absence must be approved in advance, and repeated absences place course credit at risk.

Reflective documentation and evaluation. Throughout the semester, students keep a journal linking practicum experiences to course competencies, submit self‑assessments, and ensure their supervisor completes a final evaluations.

Collectively, these requirements ensure that the practicum is more than simply accumulating hours. They create a structured yet flexible framework for sustained learning, professional networking, and ethical, culturally grounded engagement with people using psychedelics.

Choosing Your Practicum Site — What Counts

Students have considerable latitude in selecting a placement, so long as it aligns with their career goals and offers meaningful, supervised contact with people engaging psychedelic medicines. For those on a clinical track, a ketamine‑assisted psychotherapy clinic or a residential plant‑medicine retreat can provide hands‑on experience in preparation, dosing, and integration sessions. Students drawn to research might join a hospital or university lab conducting human trials or observational fieldwork. Others may prefer community‑oriented roles—answering calls on a psychedelic crisis‑support line, helping run integration circles, or coordinating harm‑reduction services at public events. Advocacy and policy settings are equally valid, allowing students to assist a non‑profit that lobbies for equitable psychedelic legislation or drafts best‑practice guidelines. Many students weave together two complementary sites—for example, splitting hours between a retreat center and a lab—to gain a broader perspective. Whatever the configuration, the key criteria are clear supervision, a structured plan for meeting the practicum learning goals, and consistent opportunities to interact with, study, or support individuals who are actively using or integrating psychedelic substances.

See below for choice of practicum options, on and off campus.

Expectations & Best Practices

Plan Early: Strong placements often require criminal‑record checks, onboarding, or site‑specific training—start outreach well before the proposal deadline.

Quality over Quantity: Supervisors may opt not sign off on compressed schedules; aim for 8–10 hrs/week of consistent engagement.

Engage Deliberately: Treat every contact hour as a chance to observe, ask questions, and build rapport—the relationships you cultivate now can lead to future collaborations or employment.

Ethics & Cultural Humility: Practicum work must align with professional standards, local regulations, and the program’s commitment to equity and Indigenous and culturally‑informed psychedelic practices.