The Counseling Department at Rhode Island College uses the Professional Impact Project (PIP) in Advanced Practicum Classes. The aim of the PIP is to enhance student’s learning, implementation, and measurement of an evidence-based intervention. Students review the evidence/literature regarding successful interventions for addressing their client’s presenting problem. Students then implement the intervention prior to and throughout the course of the four audio-taped therapy sessions. Students write a critique of each session reflecting on how well they implemented the intervention and describe the client's response to the intervention. Students also collect outcome data, analyze the impact of their intervention, and reflect upon their practice. Course instructors listen to the audiotapes to determine the student's competencies in using evidence-based interventions. The PIP project is graded with a detailed rubric which scores students' performance across 4-5 domains or areas of competency. Course instructors also complete the Counseling Competencies Scale for each student.
