All doctoral students are required to complete a full-time Predoctoral Internship, the application process to which is coordinated by the National Matching Service. Students must have a successful dissertation proposal approved by October 15th prior to applying for internship. Students are strongly urged to complete their dissertation research before leaving for internship. Students should be prepared to travel outside the state for their internship experience. Though students may apply and match to a non-accredited internship, this may present potential adverse implication for licensing. Accordingly, students are strongly encouraged to complete only APA-Accredited Predoctoral Internships. All program requirements and timelines must be adhered to regardless of the internship setting.
The process of applying for internships begins in spring and summer as students select sites and prepare application materials for submission. Students are required to participate in the predoctoral internship application workgroup. This workgroup meets weekly for one hour and focuses on helping students prepare their CVs and the four essays required for internship application. These meetings begin during the summer preceding the fall in which they apply for internship and are led by the A-DCT. The DCT and the student’s mentor also assist the student in selecting appropriate internship sites and in reviewing their application materials.
Students must submit their records of clinical practica hours for approval by the DCT by October 1st. The earliest submissions dates are typically in early November. Students receive notice of interviews in November and December, and typically attend interviews in December and January. The process culminates on Match Day in February (the day APPIC National Matching Services, Inc. match interns with participating programs). Students must be registered for the internship course (CCP797) during all semesters in which they are active on internship. This is usually only three semesters, but, depending on the internship schedule, may end up requiring four semesters of internship coursework. This course can be taken as a zero-credit course (university fees still apply). Students who wish to be enrolled in a certain number of credits (e.g., for financial aid purposes) can register for 1-3 credit hours of CCP797. Students cannot be on an assistantship with the university during their internship and are not eligible for a Tuition Scholarship. Students should be prepared to pay any tuition costs and fees during that time period.
Internship Application Process (some dates vary year-to-year, check relevant websites for current year's dates/deadlines)
May 1st
PhD Clinical Comprehensive Examination must be passed to be eligible to apply for internship
May
Attend a meeting with the DCT (or A-DCT) to discuss internship application (this can occur during the annual DCT Advising Meeting)
June – August
Sign up to receive Match News
Prospective interns acquire information regarding internship sites using the AAPIC Directory for the APPIC Internship Matching Program. Additionally, students are required to take part in the internship preparation meeting with the DCT or A-DCT which will focus on preparing application materials, particularly the required essays.
Request letters of recommendation at least six weeks prior to the first application deadline (provide your letter writers with information they request and the standard reference form)
October 1st
Final list of mentor-approved sites that includes names, addresses, and deadlines for letters of support is given to the DCT. Final drafts of mentor-approved essays are also provided to the mentor and DCT.
Practica hours must be submitted to DCT for verification.
October 15th
Dissertation Proposal must be approved by committee before applying
November-January 1st
Application deadlines
November-February
Interviews
December 1st
Deadline date by which applicants must return their agreement forms to National Matching Services, Inc. in order for their name and code number to be included in the Listing of Participating Applicants.
Recommended deadline for applicants to register for the Match.
December 31st
Date applicants and training directors will receive their Rank Order List forms, listing of match participants with Code Numbers and instructions for submitting Rank Order Lists.
Early February
Submit Rank Order of Internship Sites
Late February
APPIC Match Day