
School Psychology
fieldwork program
School Psychology
fieldwork program
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Tips for School Psychology Internship
Tips for
School Psychology
Internship

PUSD Intern 2007-2008

Just as it is important to build a relationship with your school psychologist supervisors, it is more important to build a relationship with the staff that works at school (admin clerk, teachers, counselors, custodians, etc) as they have all the student info, copy codes, keys, and will be your teammates 😉
Lastly, ensure you are communicating to your supervisors about your needs and expectations as well as any feedback they might have that can allow you to become a better school psych!

PUSD Intern 2017-2018

#2) Plan to keep similar hours as your supervisor. So many unplanned learning opportunities come up just by being in the office with your supervisor and you don’t want to miss those! As often as possible, arrive when they do and stay until they leave.
#3) Proactively communicate with your supervisor about what you want to learn. Show initiation by actively seeking out learning opportunities for skills you have less experience with (i.e., FBA/BIP, counseling, Manifestation Determination, special populations, etc.). If those things aren’t happening at your assigned sites, ask if you can temporarily shadow another School Psych who is doing those things.

Tip: #2 Make sure your template is as generic as possible (“the student” vs. “he or she”) so that there is little or no opportunity for embarrassing mistakes where your report has the wrong sex or another student’s name.
Tip #3 in your template, build in rich descriptions about what each test considers. Add in meaningful details about behavior during testing and any other notable information that are specific to the student you assessed to make sure each report is personalized.
PUSD Intern 2007-2008

Be honest. I have gained the confidence to admit when I don't know something, and I am not ashamed to ask for help. Think about your strengths and what you can bring to the team.
Prepare your questions and expectations for your supervisor in advance so that they are clear of what you are hoping to gain from this experience and what you still need to learn.

PUSD Intern 1999-2000

PUSD INTern 2003-2004



PUSD Intern 2007-2008

Just as it is important to build a relationship with your school psychologist supervisors, it is more important to build a relationship with the staff that works at school (admin clerk, teachers, counselors, custodians, etc) as they have all the student info, copy codes, keys, and will be your teammates 😉
Lastly, ensure you are communicating to your supervisors about your needs and expectations as well as any feedback they might have that can allow you to become a better school psych!

PUSD Intern 2017-2018

#2) Plan to keep similar hours as your supervisor. So many unplanned learning opportunities come up just by being in the office with your supervisor and you don’t want to miss those! As often as possible, arrive when they do and stay until they leave.
#3) Proactively communicate with your supervisor about what you want to learn. Show initiation by actively seeking out learning opportunities for skills you have less experience with (i.e., FBA/BIP, counseling, Manifestation Determination, special populations, etc.). If those things aren’t happening at your assigned sites, ask if you can temporarily shadow another School Psych who is doing those things.

Tip: #2 Make sure your template is as generic as possible (“the student” vs. “he or she”) so that there is little or no opportunity for embarrassing mistakes where your report has the wrong sex or another student’s name.
Tip #3 in your template, build in rich descriptions about what each test considers. Add in meaningful details about behavior during testing and any other notable information that are specific to the student you assessed to make sure each report is personalized.
PUSD Intern 2007-2008

Be honest. I have gained the confidence to admit when I don't know something, and I am not ashamed to ask for help. Think about your strengths and what you can bring to the team.
Prepare your questions and expectations for your supervisor in advance so that they are clear of what you are hoping to gain from this experience and what you still need to learn.

PUSD Intern 1999-2000

PUSD INTern 2003-2004


Fieldwork Informational Video 2021
about Poway Unified School District
The PUSD School Psychology Internship Program is focused on developing the skills for professional competencies across multiple domains, by developing the capabilities to meet the demands of varied school settings. Our collaborative approach promotes exposure in learning areas such as prevention, intervention, counseling, consultation, and assessment.
Internships are based on the guidelines set forth by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). PUSD provides interns the opportunity to work with a variety of student populations and perform a wide range of school psychologist duties in order to meet their university requirement and obtain the Pupil Personnel Services Credential. All interns are assigned at both elementary and secondary levels, allowing for supervision of two school psychologists throughout the year. Individual interests and needs are considered for placement.
With 39 school sites, each with specialized programs, interns have the opportunity to experience various settings. Placement opportunities include comprehensive general education elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as specialized settings including school programs for students with emotional and behavioral needs, early childhood/preschool special education, private school, and students with significant cognitive or developmental needs.
Poway Unified School District is the national leader in K-12 public education serving over 36,000 students of high diversity in culture, ethnicity, language, and socio-economic status. We are the third largest district in San Diego County with 25 Elementary Schools, 1 K-8 School, 7 Middle Schools, 5 High Schools, and varied Alternative Programs. As a single district SELPA, our special education programs provide the full continuum of services including general education, specialized academic instruction, and related services.
Intern Training Videos
ERMHS
Laura Valencia
School Psychologist
ERMHS
FBA & BIPs
Meghan Moore
Program Specialist
Practicum/Internship Application
Selection Process
Applications are due by April 29, 2022.
Interviews will be held on May 04, 2022.
Thank you for your interest in joining the School Psychology Team at PUSD. We have a multistep selection process for potential practicum students and interns, which includes an application, portfolio, and interview. PUSD requires that practicum hours be completed in order to be considered for an internship position, in accordance with standards specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). If you are an in-state student from a university that is outside the immediate San Diego metropolitan area, please contact us to find out if your university has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PUSD. An MOU is a contractual agreement required between both entities (in this case your university and PUSD) prior to allowing students to participate in internship activities within our district. Your university School Psychology Department Chair will have that information as well. Applicants from out of state must be enrolled in an accredited program. Please refer to the CTC website above for specific information regarding state requirements for out of state students. Interested applicants who have completed the necessary coursework and practicum hours can submit an application and portfolio.
Application: Your completed application packet must include the following:
- Resume/Vitae
- Certificate of Clearance
- TB Test
- CBEST documentation of a passing score (internship applicants only)
Internship Portfolio (submit at interview): Your completed portfolio must include the following:
- 1 Psychoeducational report with identifying information deleted
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (at least one must be from your current or last practicum supervisor)
- Out-of-State: Copy of the university’s requirements and coursework for school psychology
Completed application packets will be accepted through April 29th to be eligible to sit for 5/4 interviews. Note: Rolling applications may be accepted, however, interviews and placements are based on availability.
Please submit your application and documents in the form below.
Interview: Due to the large number of applicants, not all applicants will be invited to interview, nor will all applicants interviewed be offered an internship. Practicum and internship interviews will occur on April 22nd, with offers being extended to selected prospective interns on or before May 10th, for a start date of August 2021.
apply here
Contact
General Inquiries
Janice E. Gapasin, Psy.D.
Lead Psychologist
jgapasin@powayusd.com
Bernard F. Larsen, Ed.S.
Lead Psychologist
blarsen@powayusd.com


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Training videos are intended for educational purposes only.
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