Navigating Psychology Undergraduate Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Internships offer invaluable opportunities for psychology undergraduates to gain practical experience, explore career paths, and enhance their academic learning. While internships may be less common at the undergraduate level compared to graduate studies, various avenues exist for students to apply their skills and knowledge in real-world settings. This article provides a comprehensive overview of psychology undergraduate internships, covering requirements, opportunities, and how to make the most of these experiences.

Understanding the Value of Internships

Internships serve as a bridge between academic study and professional practice. They provide students with:

Exposure to the Field: Internships offer a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of working in chosen fields, helping students understand what it will be like outside of the school environment.
Direct Experience: Hands-on experience with clients or in research settings is invaluable for developing practical skills and building confidence. Getting direct experience in your field with clients is so important.
Career Exploration: Internships allow students to "try on" different careers, helping them identify their interests and strengths. Finding out that a particular field is not for you is just as important as finding out that you love it!
Resume Enhancement: Internships demonstrate practical experience to future employers and graduate schools, making applicants more competitive. It looks great on a resume or graduate school application!
Networking Opportunities: Internships provide opportunities to connect with professionals in the field, building valuable relationships for future career prospects. Networking!

Types of Internship Opportunities

Psychology undergraduates can explore various internship opportunities, including:

Faculty-Managed Experiences: Some opportunities, such as Undergraduate Research Experiences, are coordinated and managed by faculty members within psychology departments.
Collaborative Field Experiences: These involve collaborations between faculty members and external organizations, providing students with hands-on experience in community settings.
Student-Initiated Internships: Students can independently seek out internships that are neither affiliated with nor managed by their university, allowing for personalized experiences.
Research-Based Internships: Working in a professor's lab serves as an alternative to an off-campus internship for many students. A great way to get involved in research is to start out by helping a faculty member on an ongoing research project.
Government Internships: Some programs fund students to complete summer projects in state government agencies.
Clinical/Counseling Internships: These internships may involve observing therapists' sessions or working with clients in social service agencies, though undergraduate students typically do not practice actual psychotherapy.
Industrial/Organizational Internships: These internships are often in human resource offices or other corporate settings, applying psychological principles to the workplace.

General Requirements for Psychology Undergraduate Internships

While specific requirements vary by institution and internship site, common elements include:

Academic Standing: Many programs require students to have completed a certain number of credit hours (often junior or senior status) and maintain a minimum GPA, both overall and in psychology coursework. You must have completed the pre-requisites (three upper-division psychology courses at CSUF and minimum 2.0 GPA in psychology).
Coursework: Completion of specific psychology courses may be required, such as introductory psychology, research methods, or statistics. Complete two PSY Breadth courses.
Faculty Sponsorship: Students often need to identify a faculty member who is familiar with the type of work they will be doing to serve as a sponsor. Once you have a promising lead on an internship opportunity, you will need to identify an appropriate faculty sponsor - someone who is familiar with the type of work you will be doing.
Site Supervision: Internships must have a supervisor at the site who has a professional background related to psychology and can provide training, guidance, and feedback. The sites should have a supervisor or team that offers training and guidance on a regular basis and can provide evaluations and feedback to interns.
Academic Component: Credit-bearing internships typically require an academic component, such as readings, research papers, or presentations, in addition to the on-site work. The primary criteria for an internship placement are that you will be doing work that is closely related to psychology, and that you will be supervised (and trained, as needed) by someone with a professional background related to psychology. The academic plan is a document with 3 components: A description (2 or 3 paragraphs) of the work you will be doing, that makes clear how it is psychological in nature; A list of readings drawn from the scholarly literature of psychology (for example, research articles on the disorders you will be observing or on the effectiveness of various treatment approaches; a good resource is the PsycInfo database available through the University Libraries web site); and A statement of the written work you will submit.
Hours Requirement: Internship courses often require a minimum number of on-site hours over the semester. Internship courses require a minimum of 120 on-site hours over the semester.

Steps to Secure a Psychology Undergraduate Internship

Securing an internship involves careful planning and preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Exploration (Sophomore Year)

Review Course Information: Familiarize yourself with the eligibility and requirements for internship credit at your institution. Review course information regarding eligibility and requirements for PSY 484 credit (found below).
Research Internship Sites: Explore available internship sites, starting with pre-approved lists or databases provided by your university. Research internship sites (the pre-approved internship site list is a great place to start) and begin to narrow down your interest.
Career Advising: Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to identify possible careers that complement your strengths and interests. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to identify possible careers that complement your strengths and interests.
Volunteer Experience: Consider volunteering or participating in psychology-related community involvement experiences to "try on" possible careers. Consider volunteering or participating in a Psychology Community Involvement Experience to “try on” these possible careers.
Maintain a Strong GPA: A good GPA is essential for qualifying for internships. Maintain a strong GPA in order to qualify for PSY 484 in your Junior year.
Attend Career Fairs: Take advantage of psychology career and internship fairs to learn about opportunities and network with potential employers. Attend the Psychology Career and Internship Fair in the Spring.
Create a Target List: Compile a list of three to five potential internship sites that align with your interests. Make a list of three to five potential internship sites.

Step 2: Preparation

Review Application Processes: Understand the specific application requirements for each internship site on your list. Review the application process for each internship site on your list.
Resume and Cover Letter: Prepare or polish your resume and cover letter, tailoring them to each application. Prepare or polish your cover letter and resume and tailor for each application. Use these great resume resources to get started.
Advising Review: Meet with a career advisor to review your resume and cover letter for feedback and improvements. Meet with an ASU Career Advisor to review your resume and cover letter.
Complete Breadth Courses: Ensure you have completed any required psychology breadth courses. Complete two PSY Breadth courses.

Step 3: Application

Submit Applications: Apply to each internship site using their specific application process. If approval for PSY 484 is received, apply to each internship site you’ve identified using their site specific application process. Documentation you might need includes: Site-specific resume, site-specific cover letter and internship position description.
Interview Preparation: If offered an interview, prepare thoroughly by practicing answers to common interview questions. If the site offers an interview, be sure you are prepared and have practiced! Use these great interview resources to prepare. Prior to your internship interview, considering practicing your answers to common interview questions.

Step 4: Finalization

Secure the Position: Once you have been offered an internship position with a site you are interested in, finalize the details. Congrats, at this point you have applied for a internship, completed an interview, and been offered an internship position with a site you were interested in!
Complete Paperwork: Complete all required documents and obtain necessary signatures. Once all required documents are completed and signed, meet with the Internship Coordinator who will be your instructor for PSY 484. At this time your application will be reviewed for decision.
Meet with Internship Coordinator: Meet with the internship coordinator at your university to review your application and finalize the approval process. Once all required documents are completed and signed, meet with the Internship Coordinator who will be your instructor for PSY 484. At this time your application will be reviewed for decision.

Finding Internship Opportunities

Several resources can help students find psychology undergraduate internships:

University Resources:
- Pre-Approved Site Lists: Many universities maintain lists of pre-approved internship sites. Research internship sites (the pre-approved internship site list is a great place to start) and begin to narrow down your interest.
- Career Services: Career services offices provide guidance on internship searches, resume and cover letter writing, and interview preparation. Meet with an ASU Career Advisor to review your resume and cover letter.
- Psychology Department: Psychology departments often have faculty and staff who can provide information on internship opportunities. Set up an appointment with Dr.
Online Databases:
- Titan Connection: Some universities use online platforms like Titan Connection to list internship opportunities. Pre-approved internship opportunities can be found on Titan Connection.
Networking:
- Faculty Connections: Talk to your professors about potential internship opportunities they may be aware of.
- Professional Organizations: Explore websites and resources from psychology-related professional organizations.
Direct Outreach:
- Contact Organizations: Contact organizations directly to inquire about internship opportunities. A phone call may be sufficient to learn whether an organization can provide an internship.

Earning Credit for Internships

Many universities offer course credit for psychology internships. To earn credit, students typically need to:

Register for an Internship Course: Enroll in a designated internship course, such as PSYCH 295, 495, 487, 488, or PBSI 484.
Meet Hour Requirements: Complete the required number of internship hours. Students must complete at least 40 hours of internship work PER CREDIT. For example, students who take this course for three credits are expected to complete at least 120 hours of contact time at the internship (i.e., on site, engaged in the internship work) in the semester.
Fulfill Academic Requirements: Complete the academic component of the internship, which may include readings, papers, or presentations. The academic plan is a document with 3 components: A description (2 or 3 paragraphs) of the work you will be doing, that makes clear how it is psychological in nature; A list of readings drawn from the scholarly literature of psychology (for example, research articles on the disorders you will be observing or on the effectiveness of various treatment approaches; a good resource is the PsycInfo database available through the University Libraries web site); and A statement of the written work you will submit.
Obtain Approval: Seek approval from the internship coordinator and faculty sponsor. In order to register for PBSI 484, students must seek approval from a work supervisor before being approved by the instructor of record (Dr. Edens).

Maximizing the Internship Experience

To make the most of your psychology undergraduate internship:

Set Clear Goals: Define your objectives for the internship and communicate them to your supervisor.
Be Proactive: Take initiative and seek out opportunities to learn and contribute.
Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to ask questions to clarify tasks and gain a deeper understanding of the work.
Seek Feedback: Regularly request feedback from your supervisor to identify areas for improvement.
Reflect on Your Experience: Take time to reflect on your experiences and what you have learned.
Network: Build relationships with professionals in the field.

Alternative Opportunities

If a traditional internship is not feasible, consider alternative opportunities such as:

Research Assistant Positions: Assisting faculty members with research projects can provide valuable experience. A great way to get involved in research is to start out by helping a faculty member on an ongoing research project. You can receive course credit for doing so by taking PSYC 3900.
Volunteer Work: Volunteering in psychology-related settings can offer practical experience and networking opportunities.
Psychology Community Involvement Experience: Consider volunteering or participating in a Psychology Community Involvement Experience to “try on” these possible careers.
Service-Learning Courses: These courses combine community service with academic learning. The Psychology Department offers several internship and service learning-courses to provide students with hands-on experience in a variety of professional settings and the opportunity to give back to the community while learning practical applications of Psychology.

Examples of Internship Sites

Internship sites vary widely depending on your interests and career goals. Examples include:

Mental Health Facilities: Comprehensive mental health centers offer opportunities to work with diverse populations.
Schools: Interns can work in public schools, supporting students with social-emotional learning and academic success. You can intern at any school in an approved school district.
Victims’ Advocacy Services: These organizations provide support and advocacy for victims of crime.
Consulting Firms: Interns can gain experience in applying psychological principles to business settings.
Crisis Hotlines: Working on a crisis hotline provides experience in communication and crisis intervention.
Market Research Companies: These companies utilize psychological research methods to understand consumer behavior.
Rehabilitation Centers: Rehab Without Walls: Groups interrelated treatment facilities that together form a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals with brain injury and other neurological disorders specializing in neurobehavioral rehabilitation, transitional rehabilitation, and long-term support services.
Centers for Women: Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center: Provides counseling and advocacy for victims of family violence; and educates the community on the primary prevention of sexual assault and teaches parenting skills.
Living Communities: Live Oak Living Community: Provides support for adults living with brain injuries or cognitive disabilities.

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