Psychology
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Internship in Psychology
Directions for Application & Participation in Internship


I. Requirements for Application to Internship:
The following 3 are requirements that the intern applicant must meet prior to contacting an internship site.  This process may take several weeks, so you are advised to meet with the internship director at least 4 weeks prior to the quarter during which you would like to do an internship.  Ideally, you will meet with the intern director earlier.  If you are thinking about doing an internship ‘some time in the future’, but not sure when, it is still a good idea to make contact with the director and get the ball rolling!  

1.    Interview with Internship Director

a.    Make an appointment for an interview with the Internship Director, Katherine Raichle, PhD (206-296-2815, raichlek@seattleu.edu).

b.    During this interview you will be asked to discuss your interest and goals for an internship.  For example:
i.    Do you want to work with adults or children?
ii.   Do you want a counseling/clinical/applied or research internship?
iii.  For how many credits would you like to do your internship?
iv.  During what quarter(s) would you like to do the internship?
v.   Overall, what do you hope to gain from an internship experience?
vi.   What are your long-term goals (i.e., work, graduate school)

c.    You will also discuss with the internship director if there is potentially a good match between what is available and your interests and talents and qualifications (this does not guarantee that you will get an internship, only that your references will be contacted and you will turn in a resume – see below).

2.    You will be asked to give names of 2 psychology professors as references

a.    Come prepared to give to the internship director at least 2 professors from the psychology department as references.

b.    These are professors with whom you have had regular one-on-one contact (in a class or as an advisor, for example).

c.    The professors will be emailed to comment on the following:
i.    Responsibility
ii.   Respect for other students
iii.  Performance in class
iv.  Promptness to meetings or class
v.   Interpersonal skills
vi.  …and any other relevant characteristics or skills  

If your references indicate that you are not ready to participate in an internship, you may choose to meet with the internship director and to receive feedback about how to improve on these recommendations so that you may apply again for an internship in the future, should you choose to do so.  

 
3.    Provide Resume to the Internship Director

a.    The resume should include what classes you have taken in psychology, what your work and volunteer experience has included and for how long…etc.

It is only after you have completed the previous 3 requirements and positive references have been received from your professors that you may then contact the specific site where you are interested in working.  

4.    Contact Internship Site: Draft a Cover Letter

a.    You will draft a ‘cover letter’ to be sent via email.  This should include an introduction re: who you are and that you are looking for internship opportunities and for what quarter (give dates) and hours per week you are able to work.  This should also include a brief statement of interest and goals which you will then tie into the needs of the internship site.  

b.    Please send this draft to the intern director for edits and then send the letter as email text to the contact person at the internship.  Be sure to cc the internship director on the email, including in your letter that the intern director is being cc’d on the email.  

c.    Some internship sites require an interview with the student to ensure a good fit with their program.   


II. Requirements prior to Starting an Internship:

1.    Register for internship
a.    There is paperwork that must be filled out with Rebecca Severson, including the number of credits of independent study/brief description/title…etc.  This must be filled out immediately upon learning which internship you will be doing.  
b.    This is signed by the intern supervisor (internship director) and then signed by the department head.
c.    The paperwork is sent to the registrar for processing and to register you for internship credits.    

2.    Develop and sign a Curricular Contract with the Internship Director agreeing to the following:
a)    Describe the nature of your fieldwork.   
b)    What are your goals for this work?
c)    How many hours per week will you be working in the field?
d)    How often will you be in contact (email, office visits, and phone calls) with your faculty supervisor?
e)    What readings will you complete for this work?
f)    What written work will you complete for this internship?
This will be signed by both the intern director and intern and then a copy will be placed in the student’s folder.

3.    Depending on the internship site, you may sign a contract with them, as well.

 
III. Requirements during Internship:

1.    You will send weekly reflections to the Internship Director.  Weekly reflections involve not only what activities you are involved in at the internship site, but how these tie in to your overall understanding of psychology.  Additionally, students are encouraged to reflect on their own personal challenges or accomplishments week by week in the internship.  These are due by 8am on Monday of each week (reflecting on the prior week).

2.    The internship director will contact your supervisor mid-quarter to see how things are going in terms of your professionalism, attendance, initiative, respect for co-workers,…etc.  This weighs heavily into your final grade.

3.    You will turn in a final paper during finals week.  This is to be determined by the internship director with the student.  Usually this involves a literature review of and area of interest identified by the intern.  However, there is flexibility in this final paper and will be determined with the approval of the internship director.

4.    At the end of the internship, you will complete an evaluation of your experience.  With your permission, this evaluation will be included in the internship packet for other students to read and will include the following information:

a.    Overall what were your original goals for the internship?
b.    What did you get out of the internship; did it meet your goals?
c.    What surprised you about this internship?
d.    What were the positives and negatives of the internship?
e.    How did the internship challenge you?
f.    Is there the possibility of continuing work with this organization?


Rules of Internship

1.    Students may complete a total of 10 hours of internship toward their final credits.  

2.    The student will work a total of 3 hours per week per credit hour for which they are registered.

3.    If the internship supervisor contacts the faculty sponsor with complaints about misconduct the student will immediately meet with the faculty sponsor.  It is up to the discretion of the faculty advisor, along with the internship director, to terminate the internship at any time during the quarter if the student has evidenced behavior that precludes him/her from adequately meeting the demands of the internship.   


Note

There is no guarantee of acceptance.  Applying for an internship is like applying for a job.  You will likely be competing with others of similar qualification.  The ones who apply earlier are in a better position to secure a position, as well as those who have good recommendations, a higher GPA, and clear statement of interests, both written and as articulated in the initial interview with the director.

 



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