P495 Internship
Community Experience
FAQ’s
1.
What are the educational benefits to P495 Internship?
It is a form of service learning in which you engage more hands-on applied form of psychological work within the context of a human services agency and culture. It is helpful for job searches, graduate school applications, and discovering your specific interests and aptitudes as well.
2.
How do I sign up?
You may get the forms from Christy Almaguer, the Psychology Department secretary in
DW2119. Contact Dr. Hubbard at rhubbard@iusb.edu
to schedule a meeting time to go over and fill out the forms and obtain the required signatures.
3.
How many hours do I have to work?
The formula is 10-12 hours per week for three credits. Most or all of that should be at your internship site, but some may be devoted to reading and writing. You may earn 1 to
6 credit hours depending on the hours you work.
4.
How do I find a site?
Most students have already identified a site. If you haven’t, you can ask any of our faculty (most of whom have community involvement) for suggestions. We can try to find one for you, but it is best that you develop your own to meet your personal educational needs. Most students choose human services settings, but you may also choose a business or educational setting if your work will relate to psychology.
5.
If I am employed at a site, can I use it for an internship?
Yes, but you will have to volunteer extra hours on a new project there (one that is not a part of your job definition). In other words, paid hours are typically not intern hours.
6.
Does P495 count towards my major and graduation?
Check with your advisor to be sure, but in general P495 “counts” toward your total graduation credits and total credits for your major. It is not, however, required for a major in psychology. You should also note that it is a 400-level course and should count in that category as well.
7.
Is the course graded?
Only on a pass/fail basis.
8.
How will I be evaluated?
Your on-site supervisor will send evaluations to Career Placement and Dr. Hubbard at the midway and final points of your internship. You will also provide Dr. Hubbard with a portfolio documenting your work and what you have learned. (See attached portfolio descriptions).

9.
Can I sign up for more than one P495?
Only one per semester, But, If you select a different site or a demonstrably different project at the same site, you can sign up for a second semester.
10.
What if the site’s programs don’t correspond to our semester schedule?
It is ok to start early with Dr. Hubbard’s approval. If you start late with Dr. Hubbard’s approval, you can carry your work over to the next semester and enroll in P495 then. You should enroll for the semester in which you expect to finish your work.
11.
May students other than psychology majors take a P495?
Psychology majors will come first in our priority, followed by psych minors. Check with your own major to see if such an opportunity exists. If not, talk with Dr. Hubbard.
Students in General Studies, Sociology, and Criminal Justice have taken P495 in the past.
Developing a P495 Internship Portfolio
1.
Place a copy of your internship description (e.g., supervisor and job description) up front.
2.
Then place a record (dates/time) of the hours you worked and have it signed by your supervisor.
3.
Include a brochure and/or program description of your agency and, if possible, the specific project you are working on.
4.
Copies of any training you attended at the agency or elsewhere (e.g., a brochure, curriculum outline, etc.).
5.
Describe observational learning opportunities you had. For example, did you observe intake procedures, group therapy, crisis intervention, court proceedings, etc.?
6.
Describe hands-on experience you received and include any documents such as assessment or evaluation forms, structured interviews, educational outlines, etc. that you used.
7.
Provide documentation of any conferences you attended, special committees you were on, and inter-agency meetings you attended.
8.
Include documentation of any other readings or assignments if they were assigned by Dr. Hubbard.
9.
Final section should be a 2-3 page reflection paper discussing what you did and learned, and how it relates to your field of study.
10.
Other items and assignments may be assigned by Dr. Hubbard.
These are just general guidelines; each portfolio will vary in specific detail. The overall purpose of the portfolio is to document your work and justify the credits. Of equal or greater importance, it may help you identify important information to put in your resume! The basic rule of thumb for this portfolio is, when in doubt, put it in.