The PsyD Internship
State boards of psychology—or similar regulatory agencies—may require that students be enrolled in an internship course as a part of their doctoral program in order to begin accumulating “pre-doc” hours toward licensure. Students desiring to obtain licensure in these states—and students who want the flexibility to relocate to such states in the future—will take the internship as part of CalSouthern’s PsyD program. (California does not require enrollment in a doctoral internship course to accumulate pre-doc hours.)
In the optional internship program, students will participate in a one-year (1,500 hours) internship under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. To be eligible for the internship, students must have already completed the PsyD program’s academic requirements.
Students will receive feedback on their performance from their supervisors, allowing them to refine and hone their clinical skills. To further enhance the internship experience, the student will participate in CalSouthern’s clinical case conferences moderated by the university’s director of clinical training. The conferences give students the opportunity to share—in a safe, welcoming environment—their clinical experiences and to exchange ideas with other students in the practicum program, many of whom are skilled and experienced practitioners.
Although students are responsible for securing their own internship placements, the School of Behavioral Sciences will guide and assist students to help them locate a placement that interests them and that will be approved by the relevant regulatory agency.