Practica/Internship
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:
- Learning to apply knowledge gained from coursework to a field setting
- Acquiring practical skills that will make you a better human resource manager or business professional
- 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 (PDF).
What is Cooperative Education Internship (Psych 496)?
The Coopoerative 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 (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.
For more information on field experiences, please contact:
