What is meant by graduate experience in the context of licensure?

Graduate experience in the context of licensure refers to the practical training and supervised practice that an individual must complete after finishing their educational requirements to qualify for licensure in psychology. This experience is typically a structured component that helps ensure that the individual applies theoretical knowledge gained during their graduate education in real-world settings, under the supervision of licensed professionals.

This is a critical component of the licensure process because it guarantees that candidates have not only learned the necessary concepts but have also had the opportunity to implement them in practice, thereby developing the skills needed to provide psychological services competently and safely. The emphasis on "required" indicates that this is a mandatory step before one can be licensed to practice independently.

In contrast, elective coursework does not directly contribute to the practical application of psychology, optional internships are not universally required for licensure and may vary in their relevance to the licensure process, and experience gained during undergraduate studies does not meet the specific demands and expectations set for licensure in the field of psychology.