Psychology

PSY 450 Internship in Psychology for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters

Please note that mandatory weekly class meetings are associated with PSY 450. These meetings happen in-person during Fall and Spring semesters and online during summer semesters.

Step 1: Students should begin the internship approval process the semester before taking PSY 450 Internship in Psychology for course credit. This includes applying for internship positions and consulting with the Psychology Internship Coordinator.

Step 2: Placement begins with you, the student, logging into Handshake at uwlax.joinhandshake.com. This account is connected to your other UWL login; click the "University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Login" link to begin.

Step 3: If you have not already done so, you will need to set up your profile, and you can search for internship sites if you so choose. For questions regarding Handshake or the internship search, please contact Courtney Pearson (cpearson@uwlax.edu) in Career Services in 1217 Centennial Hall or 608.785.6950.

Step 4: After you find a site, interview, and secure your internship, you will need to click on "Career Center" on Handshake, click "Experiences," then click "Submit an Experience." Please complete the form in its entirety, and this will begin the approval process.

While completing this "Submit an Experience," please indicate from the drop-down menu that you want to take PSY 450 for course credit. You and your site supervisor must decide whether to take it for 2 or 3 credits.

Step 5: As part of the Handshake approval process, you must attach a 2-page essay regarding your placement. In this essay, please elaborate on the following:

· How the work you will be doing in your internship is directly related to the field of psychology. Elaborate on three psychology concepts that you believe connect to this internship opportunity.

· Any relationship you have or have had with your site supervisor and/or other employees within this site. Include the length of time you have known them and what relationship you have, and describe if the relationship is professional, personal, or both. If you do not have a previous relationship with your site supervisor, please indicate this in your essay.

Step 6: Once you have submitted your "Submit an Experience," Career Services and the Department of Psychology Volunteer/Internship Coordinator will review the prerequisites, determine if it is acceptable, and if approved, Career Services will register you for the course. This process could take up to 2 weeks. Additionally, please allow a minimum of three (3) weeks for the course to appear on your class schedule after the final approval.

* Please send questions regarding internship experiences to the Psychology Internship Coordinator at psyinterncoord@uwlax.edu.

The following is a list of several La Crosse area sites where our majors have interned; however, it is not an exhaustive list. They are in alphabetical order and are provided to give you a sense of what kinds of opportunities are available. These are previous examples and do not necessarily indicate current opportunities for any of these sites.  

Aptiv  

Working with individuals with developmental, physical, and mental disabilities with the goal of providing accessibility and opportunities for people with varying levels of abilities and interests. Various activities will encourage cooperation and self-expression, build trust in others and confidence in self, develop new skills and emotional responses, and foster understanding between people of varying life experiences, abilities, disabilities, ages, and ethnicities. Activities include acting as an appropriate role model and maintaining professional relationships with participants and team members.   

Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse

Life-changing programs that help youth advance in three key outcome areas: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. Opportunities to build new skills so kids can succeed and receive recognition for personal accomplishments.

Chileda 

Interns will work with children and adults with cognitive and behavioral challenges by providing a spectrum of services to meet their individual needs. Interns may be placed on campus in the residential and day school program or the community within individual homes, schools, and communities. Chileda's trained staff and interns continually seek new strategies to work together with well-established practices. Chileda's commitment to these practices strengthens their position as leaders in serving students with autism spectrum disorders, attachment challenges, and other developmental disabilities. 

Coulee Youth Centers   

Some of the internships available include: Visitation Monitors transport children to designated visit sites with parents and document events that occur during the visit; Counselors often work on confrontation and problem-solving skills with youth clients; Juvenile Trackers make check-in visits to delinquents at their assigned curfew time; Home Detention interns monitor home behavioral charts for progress.  

Family and Children's Center 

Interns work with adolescents who are chemically dependent, delinquent, truant, and/or aggressive. Interns working with the Leadership School provide basic education and mentoring for at-risk adolescents.   

New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Center Children's Program 

Interns participate in planning and leading children's weekly group sessions, research funding sources, collecting resource materials, and participating in speaking engagements whenever possible. 

Reaching Your Potential

RYP is committed to providing home-based, positive intervention for children with autism spectrum diagnoses. The primary goal is to help each child reach their potential and celebrate achievements. If you love children and want a fulfilling experience, you will enjoy your job as a Behavioral Treatment Technician! Each child is unique, and internship experiences will vary. It is an appropriate experience if you plan to further your education in education, psychology, or a related field.

Special Olympics Wisconsin - La Crosse Area

Interns involved with Special Olympics, a non-profit agency, will provide individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports competitions, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy while sharing skills and friendships with their families, Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

YWCA La Crosse

YWCA La Crosse is committed to eliminating racism and empowering women. Their goal is to eliminate barriers for individuals looking to become self-sufficient, expand the thinking of individuals looking to explore privilege and advocate around issues that most affect marginalized communities. Interns may be involved in advocacy, mentoring, economic empowerment, supportive housing, and racial and social justice.

 * Internships with a Gerontology emphasis:

Hillview Health Care Center-Interns will gain a deeper understanding of nursing home care, assisted living and independent living by helping residents with daily tasks and implementing activities.  

Bethany Riverside- Lutheran Homes-Learn about the aging process by assisting residents with daily tasks, facilitating activities and providing intergenerational care.  

La Crosse Parks and Recreation-Programs on Aging. La Crosse Parks and Recreation offers a variety of programs for active older adults, caregivers, and those coping with grief. Intern tasks might include designing activities, facilitating discussion, and helping with creating new programs.  This is a great chance to interact with the local aging community and to create more resources for the aging population.