The CALPCC Student Symposium is a dedicated day designed to help counseling students understand what it means to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in 2026 and how to confidently navigate the path ahead. This event focuses on providing clarity, access, and practical guidance for students at every stage, from those considering graduate school to those preparing for practicum placements or entering the associate phase of licensure.

Throughout the symposium, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the LPCC career landscape in California, including the diverse roles counselors play across settings such as community mental health, schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, group practices, and emerging areas of care. Discussions will also explore the distinctions between LPCCs and related professions such as LMFTs and LCSWs, helping students better understand professional identity, scope of practice, and career pathways.

The symposium will also guide students through the educational pathway toward licensure, including how undergraduates can prepare for graduate school, what LPCC programs look for in applicants, and how to choose the right program for their professional goals. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from LPCC graduate program representatives from universities across California, who will share insights into admissions, training models, and what makes applicants stand out.

Another core focus of the event will be helping students successfully secure practicum and internship placements. Sessions will cover how to apply for practicum opportunities, what training sites look for in student applicants, and how to align placements with personal values, populations of interest, and long-term career goals. In addition to educational sessions, the symposium will include a Job and Practicum Fair, where students can meet with recruiters, organizations, and training sites from across California who are actively seeking students and associates.

For graduate students preparing to transition into professional practice, the symposium will also address the path from graduate to associate. Experts will discuss how to apply to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), common mistakes to avoid in the application process, what the associate experience typically looks like, and how supervision models and workplace environments can shape early career development.

The day is designed to be educational, empowering, and practical, ensuring that students leave with a clear understanding of the next steps in their professional journey; whether that means applying to graduate school, securing a practicum placement, or preparing for associate roles and licensure.

Students will also have the opportunity to:

Meet LPCC graduate program representatives from universities across California

Connect with recruiters, practicum sites, and behavioral health organizations

Hear directly from LPCCs working in community mental health, schools, hospitals, private practice, and emerging sectors of the field

If your university is a partner of the Student Symposium, you may be eligible for a discounted registration code. We encourage students to check with their academic program or department to see if their university is participating as a partner institution. If you happen to register at the full price and later learn that your university is a partner, don’t worry; we will happily issue a refund for the difference.

Students attending the symposium are also encouraged to stay for the CALPCC Annual Conference taking place October 17–18, where you can expand your professional network and explore advanced clinical topics, emerging areas of practice, and innovations shaping the future of the counseling profession, including developments such as AI and new interdisciplinary care models. Admission to the Student Symposium is included with the purchase of a conference ticket.  

Whether you are exploring graduate school, preparing for a practicum, or planning your next step toward licensure, the CALPCC Student Symposium is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and connection as you build your future as a Professional Clinical Counselor.