Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I start to look for an internship? 
2. During what semester should I take the internship class?
3. What kind of sites count for the 495 course? 
4. Can I use my job for an internship?
5. Where do I find a list of the available sites?
6. What do I do if I want to create my own internship site?
7. Can I use the research that I am conducting with a professor for my internship? 
8. What if I start my internship and do not like it? What do I do then? 
9. What if I cannot complete 120 hours during the semester?
10. Can I complete the 120 hours at 2 different sites (60 hours at each)?
11. Can I do my internship first and then take the course the next semester? 
12. Where do I get the Site Supervisor agreement form?
13. What if I have two supervisors at my site? Who should do the evaluation?
14. What kind of experience (degree/credential) does my supervisor need?
15. What can I expect from the class?
16. What do I do if my supervisor or site does something that is unethical?

1.  When should I start to look for an internship? 

Four to six weeks before the course begins is a good time frame. Around registration time, you should begin looking for appropriate sites that unilize psychological theory or methods. It is best to find your internship site and have it apporved by your instructor before the course begins so you do not waste time during teh semester looking for a site when you could be accumulating your internship hours.  

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2.  During which semester should I take the internship class? 

You must have completed three upper-division psychology courses at CSUF and have a 2.0 GPA in psychology. Typically this course is taken during teh senior year. Take your internship during a semester when your coursework is less intense than usual so thta you have time outside of class to complete the internship hours. 

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3. What kind of sites count for the 495 course? 

Sites that utilize psychological concepts or theories to accomplish their mission (e.g., educational settings, homes for the elderly, group homes, rehab centers, businesses that rely on I/O principles for hiring, training, evaluating employees). The sites should have a supervisor or team that offers training and guidance on a regular basis and can provide evaluations and feedback to interns. Students should be active in using psychology at their sites; limit paperwork to 20% of your time on site.

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4. Can I use my job for an internship?

You can use your regular job as long as it meets the criteria above but you should insure that your internship involves a new component or challenge to avoid doing the same activity as usual. The internship is a learning experience. It is something to add to your job or graduate school application as well as find out what type of field is right for you.

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5. Where can I find a list of the available interhnship sites?

You can search for an internship at any time by going the Career Center website at www.fullerton.edu/career and clicking on the "Students" link, or visit thier office at LH-208 to meet with a career counselor. You should also look at the list of recently used internship sites, available on this website under " Sites and Forms". Faculty who teach the class can also share site information with registered students.

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6. What do I do if I want to find my own internship site?

Check with the faculty member who teaches your internship class to see if your site is acceptable. Ask your company or organization to register with the Center for Internships and Service Learning database via their website at www.fullerton.edu/cisl

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7.  Can I use the research that I am conducting with a professor for my internship? 

Typically, if you wish to conduct research with a professor you would enroll in Psych 498 for units exclusive from the Internship course.  

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8.  What if I start my internship and do not like it? What do I do then? 

You can search for another site but use the hours that you have accrued at your current site and count them toward the total of 120 hours. Work with your instructor or the Career Center to locate another site before your leave your first site.

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9. What if I cannot complete 120 hours during the semester?

If you cannot complete the full 120 hours during the semester, you can apply for an incomplete if your hours total to 80 or more at the end of the semester.  Intersession and Summer sections of Psych 495 are encouraged to begin their internship hours a few weeks before the semester actually begins. These semesters are still expected to complete 120 hours by the end of the semester.

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10. Can I complete the 120 hours at 2 different sites (60 hours at each)?

Typically, you should have only one site to gain the needed experience in the field of psychology. If a site can only give you limited hours, than work first with one site and then the other (e.g., 40 hours at one and the other 80 at your second site)

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11.  Can I do my internship first and then take the course the next semester? 

This possibility is not encouraged as it opens up the process to manipulation and abuse. Further, class activities are off-time and the internship experience will be diminished due to lack of support and processing opportunities.  International placements, however, do need to be organized in this manner (site work first followed by the class). Such placements need to be arranged with the appropriate Study Abroad Programs and your instructor for Psych 495.

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12. Where do I get the Site Supervisor agreement form?

You can find the form located inside or outside the Psychology office in H830M, or online HERE. Please bring this form to class at the first or second meeting to verify that you have found an appropriate site.

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13. What if I have two supervisors at my site? Who should do the evaluation?

The person who has most contact with you and can give you the best feedback should give you the evaluation.  This supervisor is the one that you would meet with regularly to discuss your progress toward goals.

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14. What kind of experience (degree/credential) does my supervisor need?

Your supervisor should have two years of experience in their role OR a degree (BA, MA, or PhD) and some experience.

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15. What can I expect from the class?

You should expect to process your experience with other students and the instructor, to reflect on your growth over the course of the semester in journals and papers, to make connections between psychology theories or techniques used at your site, as well as offer information and support to other students.

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16. What do I do if my supervisor or site does something that is unethical?

You may wish to discuss your concerns with trusted co-workers and your professor. Think very carefully about the ethical principles involved and read about your agencies’ guidelines for addressing ethical lapses.

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