Course Description
Psychology 194A/195A is a 4-unit course combination taken on a P/NP basis that offers students of all majors the opportunity to complete an internship (paid or unpaid) in a Psychology-related setting. Students gain practical experience, apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, and explore potential career paths. Students must have Sophomore standing or above. Enrollment requires both courses to be taken at the same time: Psych 194A (seminar course) and Psych 195A (internship course).
This program is only offered during academic quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring) NOT summer.
Psych 194A: The Seminar (2 units P/NP)
Psych 194A is a mandatory 2-hour weekly seminar led by the course TA that provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their internship experiences, discuss topics related to mental health and clinical work, and explore career and graduate school opportunities.
The course includes professional development assignments, such as resume/CV creation, journal entries, and an end-of-quarter survey. STUDENTS MUST ATTEND THE SEMINAR FOR THE FULL 2 HOURS AND ARE ALLOWED ONE ABSENCE, INCLUDING WEEK 1. Students will not receive credit if they have more than one absence. Enrollment is not permitted for students whose schedules conflict with the seminar meeting time. The seminar meeting time can be found in the Schedule of Classes.
Psych 195A: The Community Internship (2 units P/NP)
Psych 195A is a fieldwork contract course in which students complete an internship (paid or unpaid) for a minimum of 6 hours per week over a 10-week quarter. Internship schedules vary by site and are determined collaboratively by the student and site supervisor. Students must meet with their site supervisor at least once per week to discuss their progress.
Site supervisors are responsible for providing training, an initial orientation to the organization and its operations, and communicating expectations for successful completion of the course. Please see the Site Supervisor’s Responsibilities section below for additional details.
Enrollment Instructions
- Review the Course Guidelines. If you do not meet these guidelines, you will be unable to enroll in the course.
- Find an internship position. At least 1 quarter before the one in which you wish to enroll, begin the process of securing an internship placement.
- Option 1: Look through the APPROVED PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP POSITIONS 🔗 and contact the site supervisor to secure your fieldwork placement.
- Option 2: Work with an internship not on the approved list. If you are proposing to work with an organization that is not already listed as an approved fieldwork site, your site supervisor will need to complete the NEW SITE APPLICATION FOR SUPERVISORS 🔗 by NOT OFFERED DURING SUMMER SESSIONS. Forms submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.
- TIPS FOR FINDING AND CONTACTING INTERNSHIPS 🔗
- Create a Psych 195A course contract under the Faculty Member, Dr. Katherine Karlsgodt. Download a PDF copy of the contract and obtain your site supervisor’s signature.
- CREATE COURSE CONTRACT VIA MYUCLA 🔗
- HOW TO CREATE A PSYCHOLOGY 195A COURSE CONTRACT STEP BY STEP GUIDE 🔗
- You ONLY need a signature from your site supervisor
- Ensure you create the contract for the correct quarter; otherwise, it will not be processed.
- **NOT OFFERED DURING SUMMER SESSIONS.**
- Fill out the Supplemental Form and obtain your site supervisor’s signature.
- Submit your signed Course Contract and signed Supplemental Form to the Psychology Department via Message Center. Students do not self-enroll in the course, which is why it appears closed. After you submit your signed forms, you will be enrolled by the department.
- SUBMIT FORMS VIA MESSAGE CENTER 🔗
- Course Contracts and Supplemental Forms submitted after the deadline will NOT be reviewed
- Students will be enrolled by Friday of Week 2.
- Processing may take up to 10 business days after submission. Please do not send multiple messages, as this slows down processing for all students.
- Provide an initial orientation that includes an explanation of the organization’s overall purpose and operations.
- Work with the student to establish a schedule that meets the course requirement of 6 to 8 hours per week, while considering the student’s academic schedule.
- Provide training, supervision, and regular feedback throughout the internship, including meeting with the student at least once per week to discuss progress and answer questions.
- Schedule a presentation time before the end of the quarter.
- Complete surveys given by the TA, which are used by the teaching team to determine the student’s P/NP grade.
- Respond to communications from the course TA
- Ensure students are appropriately supervised and do not meet with clinical clients without a supervisor or licensed clinician present.
- Additional details can be found in the course Supplemental Form