St. Cloud State University

CPSY 444 Internship Frequently Asked Questions

CPSY 444 Undergraduate Internship is designed to be a capstone experience for Undergraduates majoring in Community Psychology. The internship is designed to provide students the opportunity to apply the skills, knowledge, and techniques learned through the Community Psychology major coursework in an applied setting.

When is CPSY 444 Undergraduate Internship Offered?

CPSY 444 is offered during Fall and Spring Semester, and pending enrollment numbers, during the Summer Session.

How Many Credits is CPSY 444?

CPSY 444 is offered at the following Credit Options:

Where do I complete my internship?

Students have completed internships with a variety of community and private agencies located in central Minnesota and the Twin Cities area. A list of current and previous internship sites and intern responsibilities is available from the Department of Community Psychology. The Internship Site List is not meant to be inclusive, rather it serves to give students ideas of the types and variety of internship experiences students have developed. Students are encouraged to meet with Internship Faculty to discuss possible Internship sites that would best meet the interests of the student.

Internship Opportunities with state agencies are listed through the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations. Internship Opportunities can be found by going to the job listing site on their website located at: https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting (Look for intern/student worker under Position Type)

Potential internship opportunities within the Central Minnesota area can also be found through St. Cloud State University Organizations:

http://www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer/
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/careerservices/

Students are responsible for contacting the proposed internship site, complete an Internship Contract (see Internship Contract), confirm arrangements for supervision, ensure that all hours for the internship can be completed at the site, confirm the necessary arrangements for on-site supervision, and confirm arrangements with the university supervisor.

What are the requirements for an internship site?

The host agency must designate an internship supervisor who will provide onsite supervision and evaluation of your performance. A minimum of 5 hours per week of individual contact is required. The internship supervisor must agree to provide the supervision, complete a minimum of 3 Internship Performance Evaluation Forms, and complete the Final Internship Evaluation form. (Note: a final grade will not be assigned until the Internship Evaluation form is submitted to the Instructor of Record).
The host agency must provide necessary malpractice, accident and worker's compensation insurance for Interns.

Can Internships be Paid?

At the discretion of the host agency, Interns can be paid. The rate and amount of pay is based on host agency policies and procedures.

What are the Pre-requisites for CPSY 444 Undergraduate Internship?

All students must:

• Be admitted to the major of Community Psychology and should be in their last year of studies.
• Complete the following courses prior to beginning the internship:
  CPSY 323 Introduction to Counseling Theory and Practice
  CPSY 325 Helping Skills
  CPSY 327 Group Process and Practice
  CPSY 330 Principles of Behavior
  CEEP 419 Professional and Scientific Ethics in Psychology
• Complete and have on file an Internship Contract

When Do I Apply for Internship?

Students must apply and complete an Internship contract one semester prior to the semester for which Internship will be completed. Students should be in their final year.

How do I Register for CPSY 444 Internship?

Registration for CPSY 444 Internship is on an arranged basis. Students must see the University Supervisor for an enrollment form. The form will not be submitted until an Internship Contract is completed. The Internship Contract must be completed the semester prior to registration. If the contract is not completed you will not be able to register.

All Interns Must Attend Internship Orientation

This class will be scheduled during the first week of each semester. Specific Dates and Times will be posted in the Department Office. This is a mandatory meeting and if you do not attend you will be dropped from CPSY 444 and will have to complete your internship the following semester.

How is CPSY 444 Graded?

The internship is a graded course. To receive an "A" in the course you need to meet the internship activities specified in your contract and meet the following requirements.

• Maintain weekly contact with your supervisor.
• Complete weekly time logs.
• Complete the 4 evaluations.

Students who do not meet the reporting requirements, as per designated time lines, will receive a grade that is less than an "A".

What are My Responsibilities for the Internship?

Interns are responsible for the following:

• Attend the Internship Orientation
• Complete the necessary number of hours required for the number of credits enrolled.
• Complete the duties and responsibilities as outlined in the Internship Contract.
• Complete an Internship Log, on a weekly basis, documenting times, duties, and outcomes accomplished during the internship.
• Maintain weekly contact with the University Supervisor.

What are the On-site Supervisor's Responsibilities for the Internship?

The on-site supervisor serves as your immediate supervisor. The On-site supervisors are responsible for the following:

• Provide direct supervision of the Intern on a day to day basis.
• Provide the necessary hours of work for the Intern.
• Complete three Internship Evaluations during the course of the internship.
• Complete Final Internship Evaluation.
• Submit Final Internship Evaluation to the University Supervisor by final week of the semester.

What are the University Supervisor's Responsibilities for the Internship?

The University supervisor oversees your internship and provides assistance as needed. The University supervisor is responsible for the following:

• Approve Internship sites and proposed Internship Contracts.
• Complete course enrollment forms for CPSY 444.
• Conduct Internship Orientation meeting during the first week of the semester.
• Make a minimum of two onsite visits during the semester. The first onsite visit will occur during the beginning of the internship and the second visit will occur during the latter half of the internship.
• Oversee Internship activities.
• Maintain contact with On-site Internship Supervisor.
• Maintain contact with Interns.
• Provide ongoing assistance and monitoring during the Internship.

What if I have Additional Questions or Concerns?

A faculty member in the Department of Community Psychology will serve as the University Supervisor. The faculty member may change during Fall, Spring, and Summer Semester. However, each semester a faculty member will be designate and you can contact the Department for current information about your Undergraduate Internship.