Counseling

4C Counseling Internship

 

The 4C internship will not be offered in Spring 2021. Due to the current COVID pandemic and our budgetary constraints, we are suspending this internship indefinitely. Thank you for your interest.

California Community College Counselor (4C) Internship

The California Community College Counseling Internship (4C) was created and developed by the Counseling Department at Santa Monica College. It is designed to assist individuals who are new to the counseling field as they transition out of their classroom setting and into the professional environment of academic counseling. Since its inception, the Counseling Department has provided groups of interns with the opportunity to engage in an intensive training program with the intention of providing new professionals with the exposure, information, and skills necessary to successfully assist community college students. This is in accordance with the Vision, Mission, and Goals of Santa Monica College and specifically addresses “the critical importance of each individual’s contribution to the achievement of the mission.”

Santa Monica College 4C Internship applicants are expected to be developing and practicing cultural competence in their studies, research, and other work.  Cultural competence is the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures.  Cultural competence encompasses being aware of one's own world view, developing positive attitudes towards cultural differences and gaining knowledge of different cultural practices and world views.  The SMC Counseling Department is committed to growing and developing counselors who are sensitive to student needs and are representative of the populations we serve at the college.

Overview

  • The California Community College Counselor (4C) Internship Program is unpaid and focuses on academic counseling at the community college level.

  • The Internship Program will consist of eight weekly training meetings, a rotation through various counseling areas, observation of counseling sessions, and a mentor component.

  • The selection process is competitive and a limited number of spaces are available.

  • Participation in the 4C Internship Program is NOT a guarantee of future employment at SMC.

The 4C Internship is designed for applicants with little or no CCC counseling experience. Applicants with CCC counseling experience should apply directly to the Part-Time Counseling applicant pool. Information on counseling employment opportunities can be found at the bottom of this web page.

Education Requirements

4C interns must have a Master’s degree in Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Guidance Counseling, Educational Counseling, Social Work (MSW) or Career Development, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, OR the equivalent. Note: A license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an alternative qualification for this discipline, pursuant to title 5, section 53410.1.

Applicants must have proof of degree completion.

or

Applicants completing any of the above Master's degree programs by August must show proof of potential degree completion as part of the application. Acceptable proofs must be documented on a transcript or in the form of a verification letter (on letterhead) from the degree-granting institution.

Training Program

This program requires enrollment into a 1-unit (P/NP) Counseling Internship course and selected interns will be responsible for enrollment costs of approximately $100 (Parking will be available for an additional fee). Interns who are eligible for financial aid may qualify to have their enrollment costs waived.

Enrollment instructions will be given upon admission to the 4C Internship. Requirements for the 1-unit Counseling Internship course are listed below.

  • 4C Interns must attend all eight 2-hour mandatory training classes
  • 4C Interns must attend a minimum of 4 hours of arranged activities including mentor meetings and rotation observations each week.
    • These are arranged by the interns according to individual schedules.

    • These activity hours must be distributed over at least two days during each week of the internship. At least 2 of these additional hours must be daytime hours. Most SMC counseling areas offer very limited evening services (if any).

  • 4C Interns must complete a minimum of six hours per week: 2 hours training, 4 hours arranged activities

If you are a current Santa Monica College employee please check with the Office of Human Resources prior to submitting an application for potential employment restrictions.

Process for Submitting an Application

A complete application will consist of:

  • A cover letter stating why you wish to participate in the 4C program

  • Resume

  • One to three letters of recommendation submitted by applicant or recommender

  • Unofficial transcripts

  • If Master’s degree is not yet completed, a verification that you are on track to complete your degree by August must accompany the application. Acceptable proofs must be documented on a transcript or in the form of a verification letter (on letterhead) from the degree-granting institution.

Interviews

Dates and Deadlines

Counselor Employment Opportunities

Those who are already eligible to file a district application for a paid counselor position can visit the Academic Employment website for an application. Please select the “Part-Time Faculty” tab.

Note: There are three different counseling applications. Be sure to click on the one you want.

Rev. 09/21/2020