Ph.D. in Psychology students in licensure specializations (i.e., Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology) participate in an intense, focused practice experience (practicum) and in an intensive, broad-responsibilities experience (internship) where classroom education, skill building, and research skills are brought to the field of practice. Students identify field sites that can offer them growth that enhances their professional skills, knowledge, and attributes. Students establish relationships with supervisors and, based on a clear understanding of the students’ current competencies and attributes, establish an agreement for vertical growth and development. Developmental progress is achieved by ongoing evaluation, feedback, and interaction as students develop levels of competencies and capacities not previously attained. The expected outcome of these experiences is the integration of knowledge, skills, research, and professional attitudes and beliefs into a comprehensive, ethical model of professional practice. In this manner, students are trained to be practitioners with the confidence and experience to continue to work in and make contributions to the field of psychology.
The practicum is an intense supervised field experience with clear boundaries and less breadth and responsibility than those associated with an internship. Students, under the supervision of qualified professionals, learn to integrate learning and research in the practice of developing specific skills sets and/or working with new client populations.
Adequate preparation is essential to the success of the practicum experience. Students must ensure their field experiences meet their specific state board standards and requirements. Students must register for a minimum of two terms of practicum, registering for additional terms until the required 750 hours is attained.
Prerequisites
To enroll in PSYC 8871 Practicum, students must meet the following prerequisites:
Clinical Psychology Specialization
PSYC 8361 Advanced Psychological Testing
PSYC 8705 Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice
PSYC 8721 Advanced Psychopathology
PSYC 8722 Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
Counseling Psychology Specialization
PSYC 8361 Advanced Psychological Testing
PSYC 8705 Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice
PSYC 8720 Diagnosis and Assessment
PSYC 8722 Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
School Psychology Specialization*
PSYC 8361 Advanced Psychological Testing
PSYC 8705 Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice
PSYC 8719 Developmental Psychopathology
PSYC 8723 Multicultural Counseling
*Note: Students who are not in the School of Psychology specialization but desire to do a school-based field placement are required to complete the following courses prior to being approved for their practicum:
PSYC 8718 Psychology of the Exceptional Individual
PSYC 8719 Developmental Psychopathology
PSYC 8780 Seminar in School Psychology
PSYC 8784 Psychological Consultation
PSYC 8785 Prevention: Research and Practice
PSYC 8901 Advanced Seminar in Psychology: Foundations of Reading and Literacy Development
PSYC 8902 Advanced Seminar in Psychology: Curriculum Theory and Design
Arranging for the Practicum
Students completing a practicum must arrange for supervised practice in an appropriate setting. Each student is responsible for finding a practicum site and a site supervisor. The field training coordinator must approve the site and the site supervisor before the student can begin the practicum.
1. Review the Field Training Manual
All information pertaining to the Ph.D. in Psychology licensure field experiences is detailed in the Licensure Track Programs in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology Field Training Manual. The manual provides specific information regarding the field experience philosophy, the application processes, field experience completion requirements, and remediation procedures. The manual also contains the current forms related to field experiences. Students should thoroughly review the manual before starting the field experience process, paying particular attention to the application process and deadlines.
2. Review State-Specific Requirements
Students should visit the Web site for their state and review all of the state’s specific requirements for completing a practicum. A list of state licensure Web sites can be found at https://www.asppb.org/about/boardContact.aspx. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of their state and should consult the rules and regulations regarding the licensing of psychologists from the appropriate state licensing board. It is recommended that students complete (or update) their Personal State Licensure Plan (PSLP) created during the Foundation course (PSYC 6000).
3. Select a Practicum Site and Supervisor
Students should begin the site selection process early in their enrollment. The site should supply training duties designed to expand the student’s skills and experience, as well as provide the hours necessary to meet the goals outlined in the PSYC 8871 Practicum syllabus. Selection of the supervisor is critical to ensuring the success of the practicum. The preferred site supervisor is a licensed psychologist.
These elements are required of the practicum and should be considered when selecting a site and supervisor:
- The practicum will be for a minimum of 750 hours with one hour of supervision for every 10–15 hours worked.
- At least half of the supervision must be individual as opposed to group.
- If the site utilizes psychological testing, it is expected that the appropriately trained student will be allowed to perform testing under appropriate supervision.
4. Submit the Completed Practicum Application
Practicum applications are due no later than the first day of the term prior to the term in which the practicum is to begin (see the current schedule below). Any necessary changes must be made and the application must be approved by the field training coordinator for the specialization by the first day of the month preceding the field experience.
Practicum Application Deadlines
|
Application Due |
To Begin the Practicum |
|
June 1 |
Fall term |
|
September 1 |
Winter term |
|
December 1 |
Spring term |
|
March 1 |
Summer term |
Students must submit the entire practicum application to the field education coordinator in Academic Advising for consideration, who will forward it to the field training coordinator for the specialization. All documents must include the student’s name and email address. Approval to begin the practicum is contingent upon approval of the application and practicum site by the field training coordinator for the specialization.
5. Register for PSYC 8871 Practicum
To complete the practicum experience, students must register for PSYC 8871 Practicum for at least two terms, 3 credits each term. Registration for this course is limited to students who both meet the prerequisites and have an approved practicum application on file. Approval of the field training coordinator for the specialization is required for initial registration; however, students may register for subsequent quarters without additional approval.
Executing the Practicum and Fulfilling the Course Requirements
The practicum is an on-site experience as well as an online course with a residency seminar; therefore, students participate in course activities while completing the practicum. To acquire the practicum hours for each quarter, students must receive a satisfactory evaluation from their site supervisor and satisfactorily complete the 8871 course. Students are required to participate in the online course in accordance with the information provided in the course syllabus.
Students are responsible for ensuring that their on-site supervisor submits an evaluation of their work to the university. Students cannot receive a grade until the on-site supervisor’s evaluation has been received.
Terminating the Practicum
In the event a practicum is terminated prior to completion, none of the hours or activities can be transferred to another practicum site without the written permission of the field training coordinator for the specialization.
An internship is required for students enrolled in the Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology specializations and is a critical part of doctoral study for these students. A psychology internship is an organized training experience that, in contrast to supervised experience or on-the-job training, is designed to provide students with a planned, programmed sequence of training experiences. The professionally supervised training experiences of internship are characterized by greater depth, breadth, duration, frequency, and intensity than practicum training. The primary focus and purpose is assuring breadth and quality of training. The students’ experiences working in the field and actively participating in the Walden School of Psychology classrooms help them develop the attitudes that will enable their effective personal interaction and participation in an interdisciplinary approach to problems of research and practice.
The internship is an intense, broad-reaching experience that provides students the experience of a fully practicing psychologist, while under professional supervision. The internship agency has a clearly designated doctoral-level staff psychologist who is responsible for the integrity and quality of the training program. This person is actively licensed, certified, or registered by the State Board of Examiners in the jurisdiction where the program exists and is present at the training facility for a minimum of 20 hours a week.
Adequate preparation is essential to the success of the internship experience. Students must ensure that their field experiences meet their specific state board standards and requirements. The internship is completed in a minimum of four quarters (full time), but additional quarters may be taken to attain the required 2,000 hours.
Prerequisites
Students must complete all program requirements except Dissertation before beginning an internship. Having a dissertation started or even completed is desirable, though not mandatory.
Students who are not in the School of Psychology specialization but desire to do a school-based field placement are required to complete the following courses prior to being approved for their practicum:
PSYC 8718 Psychology of the Exceptional Individual
PSYC 8719 Developmental Psychopathology
PSYC 8780 Seminar in School Psychology
PSYC 8784 Psychological Consultation
PSYC 8785 Prevention: Research and Practice
PSYC 8901 Advanced Seminar in Psychology: Foundations of Reading and Literacy Development
PSYC 8902 Advanced Seminar in Psychology: Curriculum Theory and Design
Aranging for the Internship
Students completing a practicum must arrange for supervised practice in an appropriate setting. Students are responsible for selecting an internship field experience site and site supervisor. The field training coordinator must approve the internship site as well as the site supervisor before the student can begin the internship.
1. Review the Field Training Manual
All information pertaining to the Ph.D. in Psychology licensure field experiences is detailed in the Licensure Track Programs in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology Field Training Manual. The manual provides specific information regarding the field experience philosophy, the application processes, field experience completion requirements, and remediation procedures. The manual also contains the current forms related to field experiences. Students should thoroughly review the manual before starting the internship process.
2. Review State-Specific Requirements
Students should visit the Web site for their state and review all of the state’s specific requirements for completing an internship. A list of state licensure Web sites can be found at https://www.asppb.org/about/boardContact.aspx. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of their state and should consult the rules and regulations regarding the licensing of psychologists from the appropriate state licensing board. It is recommended that students complete (or update) their Personal State Licensure Plan (PSLP) created during the Foundation course (PSYC 6000).
3. Select an Internship Site and Supervisor
Students may elect to complete the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers’ (APPIC) application to find an internship site. Students pursuing licensure must arrange a field-based supervised internship in a setting appropriate to their specialization. An APA-approved internship automatically satisfies the requirements stipulated in Walden’s internship requirements, but the required application form for internship, as well as other requirements such as insurance and criminal background check, must still be completed. Sites approved by APPIC will typically satisfy Walden’s internship requirements.
Selection of the supervisor is critical to ensuring a successful internship. The internship supervisor facilitates the professional development of the student, promotes development of needed competencies, and evaluates progress and services provided. The primary supervisor must be a state-licensed psychologist. A secondary supervisor, also state-licensed, is expected but not required.
These elements are required of the internship and should be considered when selecting a site and supervisor:
- At least 45% of the internship must include direct participation in activities such as assessment/testing services, intervention services (individual and group), consultation services, teaching, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- A minimum of 2 hours of individual supervision must occur each week, addressing, in part, the delivery of psychological services rendered by the intern. (A secondary supervisor is highly desirable but not required.) The student must document these hours.
- Additional supervision hours each week may include case conferences involving other trainers or staff development activities. It is desirable for two or more trainees to be present during the internship period.
4. Submit the Completed Internship Application
Internship applications are due no later than the first day of the term prior to the term in which the practicum is to begin (see the current schedule below).
Internship Application Deadlines
|
Application Due |
To Begin the Internship |
|
June 1 |
Fall term |
|
September 1 |
Winter term |
|
December 1 |
Spring term |
|
March 1 |
Summer term |
Students must submit the entire internship application package to the field education coordinator in Academic Advising. Once the package is completed, all materials are forwarded to the field training coordinator for the specialization. All documents must include the student’s name and email address. Permission to register for PSYC 8882 Internship is contingent upon approval of the application and the internship site by the field training coordinator for the specialization.
5. Register for PSYC 8882 Internship
To complete the internship experience, students must register for PSYC 8882 Internship for a minimum of 12 credits (three credits per term for four terms). Registration for this course is limited to students who have completed all coursework and who have an approved internship application on file with the field training coordinator for the specialization. Students are required to participate in an online course every term in which they are registered for PSYC 8882. Approval of the field training coordinator for the specialization is required for initial registration; however, students may register for subsequent quarters without additional approval.
Executing the Internship and Fulfilling the Course Requirements
Internship is an on-site experience as well as a university course; therefore, students must complete site requirements as well as course requirements determined by the course instructor and posted in the syllabus. Students should keep copies of all internship-related materials. To acquire the internship hours for each quarter, students must receive a satisfactory evaluation from their site supervisor and satisfactorily complete the 8882 course.
At the end of each term, students submit the following items to the course instructor:
- The internship assessment form signed by the site supervisor.
- A narrative report summarizing the internship experience for the term.
At the conclusion of the internship, students submit the following items to the course instructor:
- The overall internship assessment form signed by the site supervisor.
- A narrative report summarizing the complete internship experience, including significant changes in the student’s professional practice that have occurred as a result of the internship experience.
- The internship documentation form signed by the site supervisor.
Terminating the Internship
In the event an internship is terminated prior to completion, none of the hours or activities can be transferred to another internship site without the written permission of the director of field training.
