Alumni Profiles

Internships

The Psychology Department requires students to complete a one of 2 capstone projects prior to graduation, with an internship being one of these elements. Our internship program serves psychology students with junior or senior standing who are interested in gaining experience that bridges the gap between academic course work and the challenges of working in the field of psychology; 62% of our majors meet their capstone require via this option. Students completing an internship are able to relate their academic knowledge of psychology to actual career situations and responsibilities in one or more professional settings. Over the years, the Psychology Department has developed a professional relationship with a variety of agencies that provide psychological services. A list of these agencies is available to all students through the department. Moreover, students interested in pursuing unique internship experiences are encouraged to explore possible internship settings that will offer personalized experiences that are consistent with students’ career goals. Placements of former interns include psychiatric hospitals, school psychology departments, crisis intervention agencies, research hospitals, human resource agencies, hospice programs, and counseling centers. Before registering for internship, students must receive departmental approval. If the student chooses an internship site that is not a commonly used site, a member of the department will investigate the site to ensure its suitability before approval.

Internship Guidelines

• Field Placement. Students are required to complete 45 clock-hours at their respective agency for each academic credit earned. Before beginning the field placement, the person responsible for providing supervision is given a letter detailing departmental guidelines and expectations for the intern. A comprehensive evaluation form is also provided which must be completed before the end of the internship. Requirements for successful completion of the field experience include a satisfactory evaluation and submitting a daily log of activities to the psychology department after completing the field experience.
• Seminar (PSY 400). In addition to the field placement, students are required to attend an internship seminar that meets weekly. During seminar, students currently involved in a field placement engage in round-table discussions about issues related to their internship experience. In addition, students are required to read a series of articles that deal directly with internship issues. These articles include issues related to ethics, clinical writing, stress, assault risk, and self-care. Students also learn basic skills related to intern/client interactions via role-playing exercises.
• Evaluation. After approval, students are permitted to take up to 12 credits of internship, no more than 9 of which may be at one particular site. Generally, students complete between 3 and 6 credits of internship. Requirements for successful completion of the internship seminar include class attendance and the completion of a paper detailing the internship experience. Upon successful completion of both primary components of the internship (field-placement and seminar) students are given a grade of "P" for the number of credits taken.

Background Information for Prospective Interns

1. In general, you should pursue an internship only in your junior or senior year. This affords you the opportunity to have taken psychology and related courses that provide an adequate theoretical and academic background for the applied internship experience.
2. It is your responsibility to make initial contact with potential internship agencies to explore internship possibilities and to ascertain if the potential site offers an experience that is compatible with your interests and career aspirations. Students already employed at an agency may not count these hours as part of an internship.
3. The internship requires 45 hours of internship placement time for each academic credit taken. This time requirement must be factored into your schedule for the semester in which the internship will be pursued. Agency hours of operation must also be considered here.
4. Due to a special arrangement, the internship forms distributed by the LVC Registrar's office should NOT be completed by psychology interns. The correct form can be obtained from the Psychology Department.
5. The internship academic seminar meets Thursday evenings at 6 PM and attendance at this seminar is required. Therefore, you should schedule your courses and internship in a manner affording attendance at the seminar.
6. The academic component of the internship requires completion of a 10-page term paper.
7. Departmental policy regarding internship grading is that all credits are graded pass/fail.
8. Generally, you should schedule your internship for 3 to 6 credits. Taking fewer than 3 credits does not afford you sufficient time at the placement site to gain a comprehensive understanding of the agency, its operation, and your role there. Taking 7 or more credits typically results in redundancy of experiences and significantly diminishing returns for your time and effort.
9. If you are interested in an internship related to clinical or counseling psychology, you should take as many clinically related courses as possible prior to pursuing the internship.
10. It is imperative that you make arrangements for your internship prior to the semester in which you wish to complete it. This is due to the fact that it is extremely difficult to complete the required agency hours in fewer weeks than the complete semester. You must complete an internship packet before commencement of the internship; packets are available from Dr. Louis Laguna.
11. Register for the internship (Psychology 400) as you would for any other course after approval by Dr. Louis Laguna.
12. Internships can be completed in any setting related to psychology, but the most commonly utilized internship settings for particular interests are as follows:

Clinical/Counseling Psychology
Harrisburg State Hospital - Contact Mrs. Edith Krohn
Lebanon County - Contact Main Office
Philhaven Hospital - Contact Human Resources Department

Working with Children/Youth
Lebanon County Children & Youth - Contact Main Office
Lebanon County Juvenile Probation - Contact Mr. Heckard
Philhaven Hospital - Contact Human Resources Department

Working with Abuse Victims
Domestic Violence Intervention - See Phone Book Blue Pages
Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling - See Phone Book Blue Pages

Community Psychology
Compeer Program of Lebanon County - Contact Anthony Cek (717)-272-8317

Working with the Elderly
Kindred Place - See Dr. Laguna for contact information

Guidelines & Expectations for Internships in Psychology

1. Execute the internship experience by picking up an internship packet.
2. Complete 45 clock hours of assigned work for each academic credit earned.
3. Attendance when expected, unless excused by the agency.
4. Be on time.
5. Execute assigned duties and meet all stipulations of the agency.
6. Conduct oneself as a professional, keeping in mind accepted principles of professional ethics and one's own limitations.
7. Meet stipulated academic assignments.

1. Provide the appropriate orientation and training.
2. Provide supervision and assistance as needed.
3. Establish clear lines of authority and an understanding of who is supervising the student.
4. Assign student to actual work for which student may apply theoretical and textbook knowledge.
5. Recognize the limits of the student's preparation.
6. Execute student work and inform the student and LVC (forms will be provided).

1. Assist in arranging intern placements.
2. Be in regular contact with the intern.
3. Formulate / develop / arrange written assignments with the intern.
4. Read and grade written assignments.
5. Be available to student and agency for consultation.
6. Make on-site visits.

For additional information, contact Dr. Louis Laguna, Associate Professor of Psychology. Phone: (717)867-6196, Email: llaguna@lvc.edu.