Field Experiences in a Clinical Setting

This course sequence is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate training for a career in clinical psychology or the mental health field after graduation. Clinical field experience is useful to evaluate one's interest and aptitude for clinical work. Some graduate clinical programs also require that applicants have clinical field work experience. This course begins fall quarter and continues throughout the academic year, requiring a 9-month commitment. Students spend 10-15 hours per week at an off-campus placement in addition to several hours in class and on class-related activities. The number of client contact hours per week depends on the placement. Clinical supervision is provided at the placement and through class activities.

Every attempt is made to match student interests to placement opportunities, and in recent years, students have worked at The Denver Center for Crime Victims, Safehouse Denver, The Children's Hospital, Mental Health Centers in Denver, The Beacon Center, AMEND, The Family Tree, and other sites in the Denver Metropolitan area. Class size is limited, and admission to this internship experience requires: 1) a minimum age of 21 years, 2) any two of the following four courses: Child Development, PSYC 2050; Child Psychopathology, PSYC 2530; Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 2500); Introduction to Clinical Psychology, PSYC 2520; 3) a 9-month commitment; and 4) screening interview and permission of the instructor.

Priority for enrollment in this class will be given to students with a strong GPA, potential career aspirations in the mental health service field, and good interpersonal skills. Students who enroll in Field Experiences are required to enroll for between 3 and 5 credit hours during the fall quarter and during the winter quarter, and for between 1 and 5 credit hours during the spring quarter. This flexible policy is designed to accommodate people who have constraints on their enrollment requirements (i.e., they only have 8 hours left to complete in their psychology major); however, regardless of the number of credit hours for which a student enrolls, the student will be expected to complete 10-15 hours per week at their internship site and to complete all course activities as described in the syllabus.

Interested students should try to attend an informational meeting about Field Experiences in the spring quarter that precedes the year in which they wish to take the class. Details about this informational meeting can be obtained from Dr. Holm-Denoma and/or the psychology advisors. Students who cannot attend the meeting should contact Dr. Holm-Denoma to schedule an interview no later than April of the academic year before they wish to enroll in the class (e.g., if a student wants to enroll for the 2009-2010 academic year, s/he should contact the professor by late April of 2009). This is because many sites prefer to interview and hire their interns before the academic year beings.

You should also try to register for this internship during priority registration for fall quarter in the spring quarter preceding the year you intend to participate. However, it is possible that spots in this class will be open in the early part of the fall quarter. Please note that instructor approval is necessary to register for this class!

For additional information, contact Dr. Holm-Denoma at 303-871-2593 or Jill.Holm-Denoma@du.edu.