E-mail this pageFieldwork/Internship Procedures
Procedure for taking fieldwork/internship
Explore the possibilities
- Read over this brochure and choose a couple of placements to check into further.
- Design your own fieldwork/internship placement with a local agency or somewhere else.
- Check for postings in the psychology department for new placements and further information.
- The Career Services office may have information on potential internships for psychology majors.
Visit the fieldwork/internship web page to learn more about prerequisites, steps to obtaining an internship, course requirements, etc. The fieldwork/internship webpage can be found at http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/katherine.dunham/fieldwork.htm.
Obtain and complete the application for fieldwork/internship and submit it by the posted deadline. The application form is only available on the fieldwork/internship web page.
Once your application is approved, consider the number of credits desired and weekly availability to discuss with the potential sites. There is information on the fieldwork/internship web page that will help you choose the right number of credits.
Consider visiting the career development office to help you prepare a cover letter and resume for your internship site prior to contacting the site.
Contact the agency
After your application has been approved and you have discussed the requirements for fieldwork/internship with the psychology fieldwork/internship coordinator, contact the agency or school you are interested in working with well before the end of the semester prior to your fieldwork/internship semester. Arrange to meet with the person listed under that agency, or with the person who handles fieldwork/internship students or volunteers at the agency. The meeting is to discuss your duties, answer questions you have, and let the agency see if you will fit into their program.
Register for credit
Your application to the psychology fieldwork/internship coordinator must be approved AND the supervisor at the agency must accept you before you can register for credit. You do not enter PSY 497 or 498 into Banner as they are frozen courses. Dr. Dunham will register you.
- For 2-6 credits, you will be registered for PSY 497 and the proper course letter based on the number of credits for which you are registering.
- (b) For 7 credits or more, you will need to register for PSY 498,which involves filling out a "Learning Contract and Internship Proposal" (available in the Psychology Office, Beaumont 211).
Attend class
Check the Master Schedule for the meeting time and place of the regular class meeting. Attendance at these class meetings is mandatory.
Summer fieldwork/internship
Full or part-time summer practica are sometimes possible in Plattsburgh, or elsewhere. Contact the psychology fieldwork/internship coordinator (Dr. Dunham). She can be reached at 564-3374 or katherine.dunham@plattsburgh.edu.
If you have any questions about doing fieldwork/internship or just want to talk about options, contact: Psychology Fieldwork/Internship Coordinator (Dr. Dunham). She can be reached at 564-3374 or katherine.dunham@plattsburgh.edu.
College and departmental policies governing fieldwork/internship
Students must submit an application to register for fieldwork/internship in psychology and have it approved by the fieldwork/internship coordinator before they can be registered. Registration for fieldwork/internship requires the permission of the fieldwork/internship coordinator. The minimum prerequisites and the application procedure are described below.
Students cannot expect to register for fieldwork/internship at the beginning of the semester; in other words, last-minute registration for fieldwork/internship will not be permitted.
The steps to arrange to take fieldwork/internship and the course syllabus are available on the fieldwork/internship coordinator's web page: http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/katherine.dunham/fieldwork.htm.
General minimum prerequisites
Grade Point--You must have an Overall Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 to take any type of fieldwork/internship practicum or internship. You should also have at least that level of performance in psychology courses.
Standing--fieldwork is ordinarily taken by junior and senior psychology majors who have completed several psychology courses.
Application procedure
Students must submit an application to register for fieldwork/internship; the due date for the applications will be at the end of the advisement period in the middle of the semester prior to starting the placement. The application form and instructions are available on the fieldwork/internship coordinator's web page: http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/katherine.dunham/fieldwork.htm.
Course requirements and grading
The fieldwork practica and internships require the fulfillment of site duties and an academic component. The academic component will be carried out in parallel with regular site duties. The fieldwork practica and internships are graded A-E (during the academic year--summer internships have different requirements).
There are limits to the number of credits for fieldwork/internship. PSY 497 (Fieldwork Practicum) may be taken for up to 6 credits in one semester and for no more than 18 credits total during the student's undergraduate career. PSY 498 (Internship) may be taken for up to 15 credits in one semester and for no more than 18 credits total during a student's undergraduate career.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you would like more information about the psychology program at Plattsburgh State, please contact
Department co-chairs
Dr. Renee Bator (renee.bator@plattsburgh.edu)
Dr. J. Stephen Mansfield (steve.mansfield@plattsburgh.edu)
Department secretaries
Ms. Pam LeClair (leclaipl@plattsburgh.edu)
Ms. Karen Newell (newellka@plattsburgh.edu)
Phone: (518) 564-3076
Toll-free Phone: (800) 441-7215
Fax: (518) 564-3397