Professional Training

Students receive four years of practicum and internship experiences. There are placements available in more than 75 agencies. Most of these facilities are within a 25-mile radius of the campus, but some are as far as 80 miles away for the benefit of students who live in Orange County. These agencies have over 350 professional training positions. The internship agencies currently meet the requirements for licensure as set by the California Board of Psychology. However, as requirements do change over time, ultimate responsibility for satisfying Board of Psychology requirements rests with the student.

Assignment to placements results from an application process conducted by year level, with third, fourth and fifth year students receiving priority for licensable placements. The option of doing an APA-accredited full-time internship in the fourth or fifth year (depending on the program and year level requirements) is also available and encouraged. Students interview for each position and the selecting agency makes the final decision. Stipends are available for about 90 of these positions at an average rate of $ 200 per month.

Special features of the San Diego program include a particular emphasis on evidence-based practice, a rich set of opportunities for gaining research and clinical skills in multicultural, child/family, and integrative psychology, and the integration of clinical practice with coursework.