Psychology internships are a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students to gain practical experience in the field of psychology and strengthen their professional skills.
The United States offers a wide range of internship programs that allow students to immerse themselves in the real world of psychology, work with patients and experienced professionals, and contribute to the advancement of the discipline.
In this article, you’ll discover the top 10 psychology internships for college students in the United States, the general requirements for pursuing them, and how these experiences can positively impact your future career.
Top 10 Psychology Internships in the U.S.
(You will find all the links to apply to the programs at the end of this article).
1. Internship at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) offers a highly prestigious internship for students interested in psychology research. Located in Bethesda, Maryland, this program provides the opportunity to work alongside mental health experts and participate in cutting-edge research.
The internship is paid and provides a stipend to cover housing and transportation expenses.
2. Internship at McLean Hospital’s Psychological Rehabilitation and Treatment Center
McLean Hospital, located in Belmont, Massachusetts, offers an internship focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders. Students participate in group and individual therapy, diagnostic evaluations and research activities.
This internship is an immersive opportunity for those who wish to work in a clinical setting.
3. Educational Psychology Internship at the U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education offers an internship focused on educational psychology. Students work alongside professionals who design educational policies and evaluate intervention programs. This internship is an excellent option for those interested in the impact of psychology on education.
4. Internship at Seattle Children’s Research Institute
The Seattle Child Research Institute in Washington offers an internship focused on child developmental psychology. Students have the opportunity to work on research related to the emotional, social, and cognitive development of children.
This internship is unpaid but provides an enriching experience for those who wish to specialize in child psychology.
5. U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Internship in Sport Psychology
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee offers a sports psychology internship for students interested in working with high-performance athletes. Interns collaborate with sports psychologists to improve the mental performance of athletes in national and international competitions.
It is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is not only exciting but also a valuable opportunity to learn about the intersection of psychology and sport.
6. Forensic Psychology Internship at the FBI
The FBI offers an internship specializing in forensic psychology at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Students have the opportunity to work on investigations related to criminal psychology, psychological profiling and interrogation techniques.
This internship is highly competitive and offers a unique experience for those interested in the application of psychology in the forensic field.
7. Clinical Psychology Internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
The University of Nebraska Medical Center offers an internship focused on clinical psychology. Students work alongside clinical psychologists in the assessment and treatment of patients with chronic illnesses and complex medical conditions.
This internship, located in Omaha, Nebraska, is a valuable opportunity to gain experience in the field of health psychology.
8. Organizational Psychology Internship at Google
Google offers an internship in organizational psychology at its headquarters in Mountain View, California. Students have the opportunity to work on projects related to employee wellness, teamwork and organizational culture.
This internship is an excellent option for those who wish to explore the application of psychology in business and technology.
9. Social Psychology Internship at Stanford University
Stanford University offers an internship focused on social psychology, located in Stanford, California. Students participate in research on topics such as human behaviour, decision-making, and social interaction.
This internship provides an enriching experience for those who wish to delve deeper into social psychology.
10. Clinical Psychology Internship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Hospital offers an internship in clinical psychology, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Students work alongside clinical psychologists in the evaluation and treatment of patients with various mental conditions.
This internship is a unique opportunity for those interested in gaining experience in the clinical setting and working in a reputable environment.
General requirements for an internship in Psychology
To participate in a psychology internship in the US, students must meet certain general requirements, although each program may have additional specific criteria:
- Be enrolled in an accredited Psychology program: Students must be enrolled in an accredited university or institution and be pursuing studies in psychology or related fields.
- Relevant knowledge and skills: Basic theoretical knowledge in psychology and communication and teamwork skills are important.
- Letters of recommendation: Many programs request letters of recommendation from professors or academic mentors that endorse the student’s abilities and motivations.
If you don’t know how to create one, this article might help you: Get the Best Recommendation Letter Template (Download Free).
- Academic Transcripts: Applicants should submit their academic records, which demonstrate good academic performance in relevant courses.
- Previous courses in the area of interest: Some internships may require the completion of specific courses related to the area of focus of the internship.
- Computer skills: In today’s world, computer skills are likely to be needed to collect and analyze data, as well as to communicate effectively.
- Permission to work in the United States: For international students, it is essential to have the necessary work permits to participate in a paid internship.
It is essential that students check the specific requirements of each internship and prepare adequately before applying. These experiences provide a valuable advantage in professional development and can open doors to future career opportunities.
References
- Fellowships and Training Programs. (2023, June 18th). In National Institue of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/scientific-director/office-of-fellowship-and-training/fellowships-and-training-programs.
- Student Opportunities. (2023, June 18th). In Mass General Brigham McLean. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/training/student-opportunities
- Department of Education Internship Opportunities. (2023, June 18th). In U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/job/intern/index.html
- Research and Training Opportunities. (2023, June 18th). In Seattle Children’s. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/careers/office-for-teaching-education-and-research/research-internships-and-training-opportunities/
- Affiliated Careers. (2023, June 18th). In United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. https://www.usopc.org/affiliated-careers
- FBI Honors Internship Program. (2023, June 18th). In American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/about/awards/fbi-honorsint
- Internship. (2023, June 18th). In Nebraska Medicine. https://www.nebraskamed.com/search?keywords=internship
- Students. (2023, June 18th). In Google. https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/students/.
- Undergraduate Programs. (2023, June 18th). In Standford Department of Psychology. https://psychology.stanford.edu/academics/undergraduate-program
- Education Programs. (2023, June 18th). In Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/specialty-areas/med-psychology/education#externship