Internship Experiences in Psychology

What is an Internship?

Internships are entry-level jobs for students to gain experience in psychology. Some internships are paid, while others are volunteer work. Internships are (usually) off-campus at a local non-profit, company, or other organization.

What are the Benefits of Internships?

Internships can help you learn about your interests and potential careers while you gain experience doing fieldwork and growing your professional network. UMBC students are also able to earn PSYC 398 credit while they do it (see below for more information).

What are the Requirements before I complete an Internship?

  • Freshmen: Must have completed one full-time semester at UMBC.
  • Transfers: Either one full-time semester at UMBC, or transfer in with 30+ credits.
  • Must have a GPA ≥2.5.
  • Browse available positions on Handshake (formerly UMBCworks).
  • Make an appointment with the Career Center.
  • You can email Jeremiah Sawyer (jsawyer2@umbc.edu), who works at the Career Center, for help finding a psychology-related internship.

Below are some organizations that have reached out to us, specifically looking for UMBC psychology majors.

These are NOT the only internships available. See above for how to find other internships.

  • Conversations to Remember: This volunteer opportunity pairs students with senior citizens facing loneliness and isolation. Volunteers will meet virtually (video call) with their senior for one hour per week for at least 16 weeks. This doesn’t have to coincide with the start of the semester— they will work around your schedule. There are other volunteer and training opportunities through this organization as well. View their flier here for more information.
  • Camp Attaway: Seeking summer counselors for therapeutic summer day camp for children ages 7–13 with emotional and behavioral disorders. Based in Columbia, MD from June 21st through July 22nd. For more information, contact Noah Weintraub (droweintraub@gmail.com).
  • AmeriCorps: 12-month service opportunity in Houston, TX from September 2024 through August 2025. Members will care for infants and children up to age 6 who are at risk for abuse and neglect. For more info and an application, visit their website or contact Darean Talmadge at dtalmadge@casahope.org.
  • A Wider Circle is a local anti-poverty non-profit organization. They are seeking interns in a variety of areas: development, essential support, and research. Visit this link for details about each of their internships and how to apply.
  • Center for Hope provides comprehensive services to child victims of maltreatment and their families. See the internship description here. Contact Ashley Masis for more information: amasis@lifebridgehealth.org
  • AccentCare strives to provide excellence in end-of-life care for patients and families. Visit this page for volunteer opportunities. Contact Suzanne Rucker for more information: suzannerucker@accentcare.com
  • Maryland Public Service Scholars offers 3 paid internship programs: Governor’s Summer Internship Program; Sondheim Nonprofit Leadership Program; and Maryland Dept. of Transportation Fellows Program. Click here for information about their internships.
  • Service Coordination, Inc: this non-profit organization is the leading case management provider for people with developmental disabilities in Maryland. Visit their website or email Justin Volman at Volman@sc-inc.org for more information.
  • Pathways Behavioral Health is a mental health company serving children with disabilities and behavioral disorders in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Internships involve shadowing therapy sessions, completing registered behavior technician (RBT) coursework, and 400 hours of direct work with clients. Internships require a commitment of 10 hours/week for a full academic year. For more information, visit their website or email Amber Shriver at ashriver@pbhaba.com.
  • Transformation Healthcare is seeking interns for their substance abuse and mental health departments. Visit their website for internship application links. For more information, email Nacelle Saah at nakelee@transformationhealthcare.com.
  • PALS is a non-profit organization that creates inclusive camp experiences for young people with Down syndrome and their peers. Visit their website for more information.
  • Maryland Public Defender’s Office: interns work in their District offices assisting trial attorneys in the representation of adult and juvenile clients in criminal cases. Visit their website for more information.
  • Verbal Beginnings is a local company that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services to children ages 2–18. They are seeking students who are interested in learning about ABA. They will provide training to new hires with no ABA experience. To apply, submit an application through this link. For more information, email Nicole Dunkle at dunkle@verbalbeginnings.com.
  • Step 1: Find an internship (see above). Your internship must be related to psychology for you to earn PSYC 398 credit.
  • Step 2: Register for PRAC with the Career Center. Jeremiah Sawyer (jsawyer2@umbc.edu) will help you do this.
  • Step 3: Email Dr. Aubrey Etopio (etopio@umbc.edu) to register for PSYC 398.
  • Step 4: Complete your internship hours and your PSYC 398 requirements.
  • PSYC 398 a pass/fail course that will show up on your transcript.
  • It’s not a typical course that meets for regular lectures, but there are still academic requirements/assignments.
  • Depending on how many hours per week you work at your internship, you can register for 1, 2, or 3 credits of PSYC 398.
    • 40 hours total = 1 credit
    • 80 hours total = 2 credits
    • 120+ hours total = 3 credits
  • These credits count toward the 120 credits you need for graduation.
  • You can earn up to 6 total credits of PSYC 398, but it must be from at least 2 different internships across at least 2 different semesters.
  • If your internship is paid, you can still earn credit! 

Other resources: