Undergraduate Program
Field
Experience in Psychology
The
Field Experience in Psychology (PSYC 491) is an experiential service-learning
program that is planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and
field supervisors. The Field Experience involves temporary, volunteer placement
for one or more semesters (partial to full-time, typically about 2 or 3 days per
week) of the student in a mental health setting (e.g., hospitals, community
mental health centers), educational setting (e.g., public schools, intensive
treatment settings), industrial/organization agency (e.g., such as agencies that
consult with businesses or community agencies), or other community-based
agencies. The goal is for the student to perform practical skills related to
psychology, while applying the knowledge gained in the classroom.
The
Field Experience may be taken in any semester (fall, spring, summer) for 1 to 18
credit hours (which do not count toward the 42-credit maximum in
psychology, but do count toward the 128 credits needed for graduation). The
student must be a junior or senior psychology major, and receive consent from
the course instructor (through application; interview; and a review of grades,
course work, and recommendations).
The
Field Experience is highly recommended for students applying for graduate school
or for those seeking employment in psychology upon graduation. It is required
for students completing the Applied Psychology Emphasis. The Field Experience in
Psychology may also be used to meet the Psychology Capstone Experience
requirement.
For
more information about the Field Experience in Psychology program, contact Dr.
Katherine Karraker, at: Katherine.Karraker@mail.wvu.edu
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Recommendation Form
(two need to be completed)