PSY 492 Internship ProgramWhat is a psychology internship?Psychology internships offer students the opportunity to bolster their classroom education with experience in an applied setting. Internships involve performing work related to your area of interest in an outside organization. Credit-bearing internships also involve an academic component that is supervised by a faculty member. Internships generally last for a semester or eight-week summer term. During the fall and spring semesters, a minimum of nine hours of work at the internship site is required to earn three credits. During an eight-week summer term, at least 18 hours of work per week is required to earn three credits. PSY 492 is the course identification for a psychology internship. What kinds of internships are available?Psychology students are preparing for careers in a variety of areas such as counseling, education, human resources, law, management, medicine, public relations, and social services. Consequently, a wide range of internships are available. Opportunities exist at corporations, non-profit organizations, schools, hospitals, government agencies, etc. Students should select internships that are consistent with their interests and goals. All internships must involve specific responsibilities and learning objectives. Internship credit will not be given for experience that is unrelated to your education and career goals. Many students use their own resources to locate an appropriate internship (e.g., family, newspaper listings, etc.). Alternately, the Department of Psychological Sciences has made arrangements with numerous organizations. Details about these internships are available from the Senior Academic Advisor for Psychology. Who is eligible for a psychology internship?To qualify for PSY 492, students must: 1. complete PSY 12000, PSY 20100, and PSY 20300; Particular internships may impose additional requirements. Students who do not meet the requirements for PSY 492 can still complete internships, but they are not eligible to receive Purdue credit for the experience. The Department of Psychological Sciences will not become involved in such cases. Why should I consider a psychology internship?Internships allow students to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the classroom to a practical work setting. They also provide opportunities to learn new skills and to gain insight about a specific career or field. Rather than focusing on what you know, internships emphasize how you can use that knowledge. For this reason, internships are a valuable supplement to a traditional education. If you are planning to attend graduate or professional school, internship experience can strengthen your application. Most programs are highly competitive, so prospective students must have credentials that will set them apart from other candidates. Combined with a strong academic record, an internship in your chosen field can provide a competitive advantage. If you are planning to go directly into the workforce, an internship can increase your marketability. Previous work experience in your area of interest can boost your chances of finding suitable permanent employment. How is a grade assessed?Unless you take PSY 492 on a pass / no pass basis, a letter grade will be assigned at the end of the internship. The grade will be based on academic assignments determined by your faculty sponsor (60%) and an evaluation by your site supervisor (40%). How do I arrange an internship?In most cases, students must apply for the internships in which they are interested. If you are selected for the position, you must complete an internship registration form and obtain the consent of a faculty sponsor. The Senior Academic Advisor for Psychology will assist you with this process. You must register for PSY 492 before the end of the first week of the internship. Credit will not be granted retroactively. For additional information about psychology internships, please contact: Janet Proctor |
