STUDENT INTERNSHIP POLICY

PURPOSE

An internship is intended to provide students with the opportunity to apply what they are learning in their Psychology courses to real world situations. It offers them the chance to work in a community agency of their choosing under the supervision of agency staff, who will also train and evaluate them. In addition, because they are working with a faculty supervisor as well, they integrate theory and practice in such a way that their academic and personal growth will be enhanced. Many students discover new career possibilities as a result of completing an internship in Psychology.

Although similar to the Human Development Internship, Psychology Internships count toward Major Requirements.

The Psychology faculty are committed to making the internship a quality experience that involves the performance of meaningful activities under the direct supervision of an administrator in a community agency. Students will not be involved in menial tasks such as housekeeping, secretarial, or reception activities. On the other hand, we will not place students in positions that exceed their capacities or involve responsibilities that they are not capable of assuming.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

CRITERIA

1. An internship is typically the equivalent of a 3-credit course, though it may range from 1-4 credits.
2. Students are required to spend approximately 100 hours per  semester at the applied setting (or 30-35 hours per credit).
3.  Ordinarily, the student must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or above, a 3.25 GPA in at least 3 Psychology courses, and be of Junior or Senior standing.

The privilege of doing an internship depends upon the overall quality of the student's academic record and character as judged by the Psychology faculty. Sponsoring a student internship is not required of the faculty and is solely based on the discretion of each individual faculty member.

PROCEDURES TO SET-UP INTERNSHIP

1.  Before the internship experience begins, the student must have
     taken relevant course work specific to the setting and should consult
     their faculty advisor for the prerequisite courses deemed necessary.

2. The student must have obtained the consent of the site supervisor
     and of the faculty member with whom he/she wishes to work.

3.  After obtaining the instructor's consent, the student and faculty 
     member will meet to identify a list of learning objectives for the
     internship and complete the relevant registration paperwork
     (Internship/Independent Study Form).  The setting and the site
     supervisor will be discussed with and approved by the appropriate
     Psychology faculty member.

4.  The Human Development chair will need to also sign the form
     after it is completed.

PROCEDURES FOR SITE AND FACULTY ADVISORS

1.  During the semester, the site supervisor and the faculty sponsor 
     discuss the particulars of the student's learning experience. The
conferences will provide an opportunity for assessing the student's
     progress/performance and guide for future experiences.

2. Prior to start of the internship, the faculty member will assign a
     list of appropriate readings to provide a theoretical basis for the  
     academic integrity and integration of the experience.

3. At the end of the semester, the internship supervisor will be
      asked to complete a Supervisor Evaluation of Student Form.

WHAT'S EXPECTED OF THE INTERN

1. Intern typically will meet with their faculty sponsor 3-4 times during
       the semester to discuss the internship experience and relevant
       academic reading matter.

2. The student will be required to keep a weekly journal to record
      activities, reactions, insights and/or linkages to theoretical
      perspectives noting the date and times at setting. This journal/log
      should be shown to both the faculty sponsor and the field supervisor
      on a regular basis.

3. A 15-20 page paper will be required at the end of the semester
      describing in detail the internship experience, evaluation of personal
      growth and address any relevant theoretical and/or applied issues.
An integration of theory (readings) and practice (experience) needs
      to be demonstrated in the final paper.

4. Write a one page description and evaluation of student's internship
      experiences that can be used as a source of future reference for
      both students and faculty.