The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Psychology Department actively seeks ways to improve the educational experience of its majors. In this vein, the psychology department has begun to build ties with businesses and numerous health and service organizations. The result of this endeavor has been the development of an internship program in psychology. Students participating in the program register for 1-3 credits of Psychology 379 (Internship) and work 50-150 hours over the course of a semester. Most of these experiences are unpaid and provide an opportunity to gain "real-life" experience under the supervision of a qualified professional.

In addition, the department offers students the opportunity to meet professionals working in the field by sponsoring talks by individuals in the workforce. The photograph above shows Jana Fallon of ePredix (a Twin Cities-based online selection and assessment consulting firm) talking with Dr. Travis Tubré (UWRF Industrial/Organizational psychologist - and member of Jana's dissertation committee) after her presentation on "Personnel Selection in Cyberspace."

Requirements for participating in the Internship Program include:

• Student must be a psychology major
• Student must have completed 60 semester credit hours (at least 20 in psychology)
• Student must have earned overall GPA of at least 2.5 and obtain the consent of the department supervior
• An Internship Placement Agreement form must be completed by the student, the internship supervisor and the agency

UWRF students have completed internships at a wide variety of sites. The list below is a sample of some of them.

Aids Resource Center of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Brotoloc

Career Services (UWRF)

Catholic Charities

Child Life of Children's Hospitals and Clinics

Children's Home Society & Family Services 

Community Action Council

Dakota County Corrections

Emily Program (St. Paul)

Fairview-University Medical Center (Woodbury Recovery Ctr.)

Family and Children's Service

Growth Through Exposure

Guild Incorporated

Hamilton House (Lake Elmo, MN)

Harbor Shelter (Stillwater, MN)

Human Services, Inc.

Integrated Development Services

La Conexion

Lutheran Social Service

Lyngblomsten

Majestic Hills Ranch

Melrose Institute

Minnesota Department of Corrections

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Minnesota Teen Challenge  (Mpls.)

Neighborhood Involvement Program

Peaceful Living

REM (Robert E. Miller)

Ramsey County Sheriff's Office

Ramsey Nursing Home

Rise, Incorporated (Mpls.)

St. Croix Correction Facility – Challenge Incarceration Facility

St. Croix Industries

Stillwater Prison

Student Health Services (UWRF)

Totem Town

Union Gospel Mission

United Hospital

Upward Bound (UWRF)

Vail Place

Valley Friendship Club

Washburn Child Guidance Center

Remember that the above list is only a sample of the different sorts of internships in which UWRF students have participated. Many internship possibilities exist for Psychology students each semester. In fact, there are currently far more internship placements available than there are students registering for them.

To apply for an internship or for more information, contact Dr. Cyndi Kernahan, (715) 425-3306 or e-mail: cynthia.kernahan@uwrf.edu.