Psychology Practicum/ Field Experience and Internship


What are Practicum (Psych 445)/Field Experience (Psych 495) and Internship (Psych 496)?

Both Practicum/Field Experience and Internship offer students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to a field placement in a range of settings. Some examples of placements for Psych 445 are: mental health agencies, medical settings, educational settings, the criminal justice system, human resource settings, and other organizational areas. You can arrange a practicum or internship by contacting the coordinator, Marsha Michels at 546-9451. She will assist you in selecting and securing a site. To view a sample of sites within counties, see the practicum/internship list.

What is Field Experience in Personnel Psychology?

What is Field Experience in Personnel Psychology (Psych 495)?

In this course, students gain academic credit for supervised training and experience in human resource settings.  Additional course requirements are incorporated to enhance and maximize students’ applied learning experiences.  Specific goals include:

  1. Learning to apply knowledge gained from coursework to a field setting;
  2. Acquiring practical skills that will make you a better human resource manager or business professional;
  3. Professional growth through group and individual discussions, assignments, and evaluation feedback.

Psychology 495 includes semi-structured group meetings held every other week, site visits, and individual meetings with the instructor.  Psych 495 can be taken for 2 to 6 credits, and may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.  Psych 495 covers topics and issues (e.g., role of HR, resume writing, workplace diversity) essential for professional development in personnel psychology and human resource management. Therefore, students are required to complete one semester of Psych 495 before enrolling in the less structured and more independent Psychology Internship (496).  For more information, please consult the Psych 495 Handbook <link to http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/probst/handbook.pdf .

What is Cooperative Education Internship (Psych 496)?

The Cooperative Education Internship program does not involve a bi-weekly meeting; instead students meet with the Intern Coordinator on an as needed basis. Psychology Internship can be taken for 1 to 4 credits, and may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.

Because the Personnel Psychology Field Experience provides more intensive supervision/instruction, the PPHRM Program requires that students begin their field work with (at least) one semester of Field Experience in Personnel Psychology (Psych 495), after which they may elect to complete field work under the Psychology Internship title (496). This sequence (Field Experience before Internship) will be enforced consistently, except under extraordinary circumstances (e.g., a student who enters the psychology program with an impressive amount of high quality, supervised, practical experience). Exceptions to the Field Experience--Internship sequence must be approved by the Field Experience Instructor and the Intern Coordinator.

How do I locate a placement?

Field placements may be selected from a list of approved sites (see Psych 495 Handbook [have this linked to http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/probst/handbook.pdf for current list).  If you wish to work in a setting that is not on the list, you must clear it with the instructor. You may not work in an organization where a relative of yours is placed. With few exceptions, credit is not given for work completed as part of ongoing paid employment.

How is Practicum different from Internship ?

Practicum is more closely supervised than the internship. The Practicum also includes a bi-weekly class meeting.

1) Students are required to take Practicum/Field Experience (445/495) before Internship (496).
2) Practicum/Field Experience requires bi-weekly class meetings; internship meetings are arranged on an
as-needed basis.
3) Practicum/Field Experience may be taken for 1-3 credits, and may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
4) Internship may be taken for 1-4 credits, and may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.

Are background checks necessary?

Yes. Students must complete the paperwork for a Washington State Patrol background check (form available in the Student/Supervisor handbook), prior to field work. Contact Marsha Michels at 546-9451 for Psych 445 practicum issues and Psych 496 internship questions. Contact Tahira Probst at 546-9746 for Psych 495 field experience . This process can take up to two months.

Requirements:

Students must complete 45 hours of work for each credit hour. This includes class meetings, completing site specific paper work and, training. Travel time is excluded. Example: If you choose to take 3 credits you will have to complete 135 hours of actual work at a Practicum/Field Experience or Internship. Monthly reports are required to show days and times you worked, along with what type of work was completed during those times. Writing assignments are also required. Several forms must be completed, and are available on reserve in the library.Site visits conducted by the course supervisor will occur in both the Practicum/Field Experience and the Internship.

Grades:

 Both the Practicum/Field Experience and the Internship are graded on a Satisfactory/Fail basis. To pass you must complete the course requirements (including attending class meetings) and complete the correct total hours of work per credit.

For more information, contact:

Practicums and Internships
Marsha Michels, MS
CL208B, (360) 546-9451
michels@vancouver.wsu.edu

Kathryn Becker-Blease, PhD
CL 208U, (360) 546-9145
kblease@vancouver.wsu.edu

Field Experience
Tahira Probst, PhD
CL 208K, (360) 546-9746
probst@vancouver.wsu.edu


You can access additional information on Psych 495 and the Personnel Psychology and Human Resource Management degree or certificate at:

http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/pprh/pprh.htm

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