Professional Training

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The UCS psychology internship is accredited by the American Psychological Association. This program participates in the APPIC Match (program matching number 161211) and abides by all APPIC Match policies.

UCS psychology internship site abides by the APPIC Policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant prior to Uniform Notification Day. For additional information concerning APPIC policies, you may view the website at http://www.appic.org/.

UCS psychology interns are expected to work 40 hours per week. Clinical demands ebb and flow with the number of students and the nature of their presenting problems during the academic year. Interns may provide additional clinical hours, consistent with overall expectations of UCS staff when demand is greater.  

UCS psychology internship begins August 10, 2021 and ends August 9, 2022. Applicants must have completed all required course work in a doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology. This work must include at least four semesters of supervised practicum experience.

UCS utilizes the on-line APPI application system through APPIC. All materials described below must be completed and submitted through the applicant portal on the APPIC website. Completed applications must be submitted by November 3rd. No application materials will be accepted through the mail. A completed application includes the following:

• APPIC Application for Psychology Internships
• Current vita
• Official graduate transcript
• Letters of recommendation from three professionals, at least two of which are directly familiar with the applicant's clinical/counseling experience
• Cover letter indicating applicant’s interest in this site

UCS will be offering all interviews virtually/via Zoom video conferencing for this application cycle. Applicants who are invited to interview virtually with UCS will be notified prior to December 15th, 2020, and applicants not invited will receive email notification by that same date.

Virtual/Zoom interviews with UCS are tentatively scheduled for the first two weeks of January 2021 (Jan 4-8, 11-13). Applicants may request their date preference for the virtual interview. The tentative format will be a 3-4 hour process that includes: a formal interview with a team of 2-3 clinical staff (75 minutes), and an opportunity to connect more informally in a group setting for Q&A with the Associate Director for Training, and with current interns separately. This process is currently under review and will be updated with additional detail as soon as possible.

All interviews offer the opportunity to connect with UCS staff and current interns and learn about our training program.

Psychology internship final offer of acceptance is contingent upon successfully passing a criminal background check as required by Virginia Commonwealth University.

All correspondence regarding the internship program should be addressed to:

Megan Guinn, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Training
VCU University Counseling Services
P.O. Box 842525
Richmond, VA 23284-2525
Phone: (804) 828-6200
E-mail: mguinn@vcu.edu  

VCU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Please contact the Commission on Accreditation if you have any questions about our accreditation status.

Commission on Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First St., NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-5979

Stipend and Benefits

NOTE: Stipend and benefits are subject to change prior to the start of a psychology internship.

The stipend for 2021-2022 is $35,568 for 12 months. Interns at UCS have faculty status and benefits, and therefore are also eligible for a range of fringe benefits, including:

• University leave (paid time off) for vacation, illness, and professional development. (e.g., dissertation travel time, interviews, conference attendance).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, and group life insurance.
• Access to computer time for dissertation and other research projects is available.
• Interns are provided their own fully-furnished office, including a computer.