Internships

All Psychology majors are welcome to apply. If you are a lower-division student, you will be enrolled in PSYC 293 (Psychology Internship). If you are an upper-division student, you will be enrolled in PSYC 493 (Psychology Internship). Applicants should have a 3.0 GPA or better.

How Long Do Internships Last?

Internships are typically one semester long, and can be completed during the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. Students can participate in internships for multiple semesters for a maximum of 12 credits – this includes credits earned from PSYC 493 (Psychology Internship) and Work U.

Can I Get Credit for an Internship?

Internships can be completed for academic credit towards your degree. To earn credit for an internship, you must:

• Be enrolled in PSYC 293/493 (Psychology Internship) or Work U. 
• Complete 45 hours of on-site work per credit you are receiving. For example, if you are doing a three-credit internship, you will need to complete 135 hours of internship work throughout the semester. 

Students can choose to take between 1 and 6 internship credits in a semester. No more than 12 credits earned from internships can be used to meet university graduation requirements – this includes credits earned from PSYC 293/493 (Psychology Internship) and Work U. Additionally, no more than 6 credits can be earned at each internship experience.

How Can I Find an Internship?

There are many different ways to find an internship opportunity.

Handshake

A great place to look for internship opportunities is Boise State’s Student employment program, Handshake. Handshake is free to use and can be accessed from your myBoiseState account. For more information about Handshake and how to get started, visit the Career Services website.

Internship Application Database

Boise State’s Internship Application Database is another great way to identify potential internship opportunities. This database contains a list of organizations who have established relationships with Boise State and are likely to be interested in working with students again.

PSYC Advising Email Newsletter

PSYC Advising regularly sends out an email newsletter to all Psychology students at Boise State. We occasionally advertise internship opportunities that may be relevant or interesting to students studying psychology.

Seek Out Your Own Opportunity

Students who have a clear idea of what they would like to do for an internship may benefit from contacting people in the community or organizations where they would like to work to see if it is possible to create an internship opportunity.

How Do I Apply to Complete an Internship for Credit?

To apply for an internship for credit through the Department of Psychological Science, complete the following steps. If you have questions about this process, feel free to contact Dr. Mary Pritchard (marypritchard@boisestate.edu), our department’s Internship Coordinator. 

1. Identify an Internship Opportunity

Once you find an opportunity that is a good fit for you, reach out to the organization that you are looking to work with and negotiate an internship with them, or get “employed.”

2. Complete the Internship for Credit Application

Once you have agreed upon your internship duties and definition with your site supervisor, you are ready to complete the Internship for Credit Application. After your application is completed and submitted, it will be reviewed by Dr. Mary Pritchard, the Department of Psychological Science Internship Coordinator.

3. Submit an Essay to the Internship Coordinator

As a final step in the process of obtaining departmental approval, Dr. Pritchard will then ask you to submit a college-level essay detailing how your internship and psychology course work intersect. In your essay, students should incorporate how the internship will be an extension or incorporation of what you have learned through your Psychology coursework. College-level is identified by professional writing as well as a clear demonstration of critical thinking.

4. Obtain Final Approval 

Once Dr. Pritchard has received your essay, she will then be able to approve your application. Information will then be sent to your site supervisor for approval, and then to the Office of the Registrar to enroll you in PSYC 293 (for lower division students/493 (for upper division students) (Psychology Internship) for your desired number of credits.

5. Complete Your Internship Hours and Complete Your Coursework

During the semester you are registered for your internship experience, you will complete your required number of hours (1 credit = 45 hours, 2 credits = 90 hours, 3 credits = 135 hours, etc.). In addition to working at your internship site for a specified number of hours, students will be enrolled in the online internship class and expected to complete assignments asynchronously while completing their internship hours.

The classroom component of PSYC 293 and PSYC 493 (Psychology Internship) is designed to help you unpack your onsite experiences and connect your placement to your long-term goals. In this class, we discuss important career development topics such as achieving your career goals, informational interviewing, resumes, how to articulate your experiences to future employers, etc., as well as The National Association of Colleges and Employers Career Readiness Competencies. You will:

• Identify a post-graduation goal and outline the steps required to achieve it
• Design and create a targeted resume that can be used in pursuit of a better life after graduation
• Identify and articulate your value via professional strengths in a way that is compelling to future employers
• Understand how to appropriately solicit meaningful feedback from a supervisor
• Reflect on you internship experiences in order to think critically about your professional values, competencies and goals
• Demonstrate increased confidence in ability to contribute meaningful work in a professional setting

What if I’m Not Ready for an Internship?

If you’re not ready to apply for an internship through the Department of Psychological Science, another great way to gain professional experience is through Boise State’s Work U program. Work U is a career development experience with a twist, giving you hands-on professional work experience, clarification of your career goals, an opportunity to be mentored, focused classroom time, and a chance to build your resume and network – all  while gaining three upper-division credits. Visit the Career Services website to learn more about Work U.