Frequently Asked Internship Questions

2006-2007

What is the difference between a practicum and an internship?
There is a clear distinction between the practicum and internship experiences. The first three years of clinical training are devoted to basic skill acquisition in the areas of assessment and psychotherapy. The practicum sites are to serve as laboratory settings that allow students the opportunity for mastering the fundamental skills and knowledge being taught in the introductory courses in psychopathology, assessment, and intervention. The internship experience follows from both this practicum experience and the successful completion of three core practicum courses. Internship training requires more responsibility on the part of the students, with interns viewed as junior colleagues who perform, under supervision, all the duties of staff psychologists. The internship years are designed to prepare the students for the assumption of an autonomous professional role by allowing for the participation in the full repertoire of activities in which psychologists engage. Interns are expected to refine and to coordinate the skills acquired in the first three years of practica training, as well as to acquire new skills that are specifically related to supervision, care management, decision making, and treatment team leadership.

When can I begin a practicum?
Students may begin practicum work any time after entering the program. Before initiating a practicum, students should discuss their training goals and objectives with the Director of Training.

How do I set up a practicum?
Normally, the student initiates a practicum. The Director of Training office maintains a list of approved practicum placements. Once the site is identified, the student will be required to provide the setting information via a Site Proposal, including the curriculum vitae of the supervisor, and student professional insurance. Practicum experiences must include the following:
1. Supervision by a licensed clinical psychologist.
2.Training in the foundations of clinical practice. Training activities may include, but are not limited to, observing the clinical work of supervisors or trainees, being involved in practice sessions in order to learn therapeutic skills, doing intake interviews with clients, co-leading groups, and participating in clinical "staffings".
3. At least one hour of clinical supervision for each 10 hours of time spent providing direct or indirect professional services. The first hour of supervision each week, however, must be with the primary supervisor in a group or individual face-to-face setting; the remaining supervision may be in either individual or group supervision with a delegated supervisor. Delegated supervisors may hold a license at the master’s level.
4. Exposure to diverse client populations.

What are the practicum requirements?
In accordance with the Clinical Program requirements, all students will complete 1000 hours of supervised practicum experience in clinical settings. In addition to practicum courses [i.e. CP 750 and CP 910], students will be required to present a case from their clinical work to a supervising core faculty member in the Clinical Psychology Program.

How long do I have to complete the practicum requirement?
Students have all three years of coursework to complete the 1000 hour practicum requirement.

When can I begin an internship?
Students may begin internship work after meeting eight conditions:
1. Completion of 1000 hours of practicum work.
2. Completion with a grade of "B" or better an introductory course on the practice of psychotherapy or clinical psychology.
3. Completion with a grade of "B" or better a course in legal, ethical and professional practice.
4. Completion with a grade of "B" or better two required advanced psychopathology courses.
5. Completion with a grade of “B” or better the two Psychological Assessment courses. [Some agencies may accept a student as an intern without formal coursework in Psychological Assessment. Contact the Director of Training for consideration of a waiver of this prerequisite if your identified agency does not make this a requirement].
6. To assess clinical competency, student must complete a course in Process of Psychotherapeutic Process with a passing grade.
7. Students must present a case to a supervising core faculty member in an open clinical supervision session.
8. Student must be actively enrolled and in good academic standing.

What are the internship requirements?
Internship experience must include the following:
1. Supervision must be with a licensed clinical psychologist as the primary supervisor.
2. The student must be supervised one (1) hour or ten percent (10%) of the actual time worked each week in direct clinical services in the internship setting, whichever is greater.
3. All primary supervision must be with a licensed clinical psychologist. Delegated supervision may be with a mental health professional licensed at the master’s level.
4. Involvement in diagnosis, treatment planning, case management, intervention, and clinical case review. Students have direct responsibility for client care and manage a caseload.
5. A formal, didactic training program as an ongoing aspect of the program.
6. A variety of direct client contact.

How long do I have to complete an internship?
Students must complete the 1500-hour internship requirement in a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 30 months, with any exceptions needing approval by the Director of Training. For those pursuing APA internships, the requirement for APA internships is that the internship be a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24 months. This can be completed in a one-year full time internship placement or in two (one year) half-time internships.