Internships in Psychological Science

Internships are a great way to gain experience in the field! Our students develop knowledge, skills, and connections that lead to exciting new career opportunities. Whether students are seeking immediate employment or applying to postgraduate programs, internships improve students’ prospects in a competitive environment. Explore the benefits of an internship!

 

  • Bridges the gap between theory and real-world application 
  • Reinforces classroom learning through hands-on experience 
  • Enhances critical thinking and applied problem-solving  
  • Builds career-specific skills and industry knowledge 
  • Strengthens resume and graduate/professional school applications 
  • Offers valuable networking with professionals and potential mentors 
  • Sharpens time-management and workplace professionalism
  • Clarifies career goals through exposure to different roles and fields 
  • Provides insight into workplace culture and expectations 
  • Leds to future job opportunities or strong references 
  • Increases confidence and sense of professional identity 
  • Fosters adaptability, independence, and initiative 
  • Cultivates resilience and self-motivation

Psychology Internship: Facts & Questions

    • Internship Hours: For every 1 credit hour of course credit, students are expected to spend 40 hours performing work for their internship site.  
    • Coursework: The Internship in Psychology course is a structured community experience in a supervised setting that is chosen in relation to the student’s major and interests. Practical experience is combined with a reflective and research approach that investigates issues relevant to the internship. Students meet with their psychology internship instructor to develop an appropriate plan that leads to the writing of a research-oriented paper or research project. Additionally, students integrate their prior academic experiences in psychology and communicate their work in both written and oral formats.
    • These courses have different credit hour options and prerequisite requirements. 
    • Internship in Psychology (PSYC 3398) 
      • Credit Hours: 2-6  
      • Prerequisite: PSYC 2500, PSYC 3000, declared major in psychology, permission of the instructor, and any two additional PSYC 3000 level courses. 
    • Capstone Internship in Psychology (PSYC 4498) 
      • Credit Hours: 3-6  
      • Prerequisite: PSYC 4100 and one course from each of the four psychology course areas (any one of the four psychology course areas can be completed concurrently with PSYC 4498), and permission of the instructor (via departmental application).

    • Students seeking course credit for internship experience must apply for the course before beginning their internship (i.e., work hours earned prior to the start of the course do not count towards course required work hours).

    • Summer and Fall applications are typically due in In the Spring semester and Spring applications are typically due in the Fall semester of the previous year.  

    • Visit Student Requests & Applications for more information on deadlines and how to apply. 
    • Yes, students can pursue internships without seeking course credit at any time. KSU's Department of Career Planning and Development can assist students in the process of searching for internships.
    • However, internship hours cannot be applied retroactively to a course.
    • Students are required to secure an internship prior to the start of the course. 
    • Once students have been approved for Internship in Psychology (PSYC 3398) or Capstone Internship in Psychology (PSYC 4498), students will attend an orientation session that occurs the semester prior to the start of their internship. 
    • Review the information provided in the Psychology Internship Search Guide, which outlines steps to securing an internship, helpful tools for finding an internship site, tips for using Handshake, and lists of potential sites.