Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Pre-Doctoral Internship (Online)

PSY 7950-01

Course: PSY 7950-01
Credits: 1
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 21315

Course Description

This course reflects students’ work at a full-time, external pre-doctoral internship site during their final year of training. This full-time, ~2000 hr internship is required prior to graduation in order to fulfill APA accreditation requirements as well as requirements for state licensing boards. Students’ placements are determined by their participation in the APPIC (Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers) application process the prior year. Specific emphases, roles, and responsibilities are determined and monitored by the sites, overseen by APPIC rules and expectations which are the standard in the field. (Fall [As Needed], Spring [As Needed], Summer [As Needed]) [Pass/Fail] Registration Restriction(s): PsyD students only

Required Texts

None

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to introduce and practice the following Profession Wide Competencies (PWCs) in Health Services Psychology as outlined by the American Psychological Association.

1) PWC ii (Ethical & Legal Standards)

  • Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with the current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct; relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and relevant professional standards and guidelines.
  • Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise, and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
  • Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.
2) PWC iii (Individual & Cultural Diversity)

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences, including intersectionality, in articulating an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews differ with their own.
3) PWC iv (Professional, Values, Attitudes, & Behavior)

  • Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, the integration of science and practice, professional identity, accountability, and concern for the welfare of others.
  • Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
  • Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
4) PWC v (Communication & Interpersonal Skills)

  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
  • Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated; demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
  • Manage difficult communication well.
5) PWC vi (Assessment)

  • Demonstrate current knowledge and application of knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
  • Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity considerations and contextual influences (e.g., family, social, societal, and cultural) of the service recipient.
  • Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
  • Communicate orally and in written documents the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.
6) PWC vii (Intervention)

  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
  • Develop and implement evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity considerations, and contextual variables, including the ability to modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
  • Evaluate intervention effectiveness and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing progress evaluation.

Course Requirements

Students are expected to complete the requirements of their respective internships and achieve PWC’s and passing evaluations each semester during their internship.

Students are expected to remain in good standing in their internship placement, including fulfilling all site requirements, demonstrating competence in Profession-Wide Competencies (PWCs), and receiving passing evaluations each semester. Continued enrollment in this course is contingent upon satisfactory progress in the internship and adherence to all program and site expectations.

Students must also maintain communication with the Director of Clinical Training as needed and promptly report any concerns related to internship progress or standing.


Course Outline

Complete a 2000 hour APA accredited internship.

Course Requirements
  • Enrollment in an approved doctoral internship
  • Ongoing satisfactory progress at the internship site
  • Passing semester evaluations from internship supervisors
  • Compliance with all internship site policies and expectations

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Attendance is governed by the policies of the internship site. Students are expected to meet all attendance, scheduling, and professional responsibilities required by their placement.


Attendance Policy

Attendance Expectations
Students are expected to maintain consistent, full-time attendance at their internship site (typically ~40 hours per week) and to adhere to the schedule and policies established by the training program. Punctuality, reliability, and professional responsibility are required at all times.


Leave and Time Off
Interns may use approved leave (e.g., vacation, sick leave, professional development days) in accordance with the internship site’s policies. All planned absences must be requested and approved in advance by the supervisor or training director.


Notification of Absence
In the event of illness or emergency, interns must notify their supervisor as soon as possible, following site-specific procedures. Timely communication is essential to ensure continuity of care and professional accountability.


Minimum Training Hours
Interns must meet the minimum hour requirements set by the internship program and the American Psychological Association (typically a minimum of 2,000 hours over the training year). Excessive absences may require remediation, extension of the internship, or make-up time.


Professional Conduct
Attendance is considered a core component of professional behavior. Patterns of tardiness, unapproved absences, or failure to meet time commitments may result in corrective action in accordance with the internship’s due process procedures.


Documentation
Interns are responsible for accurately tracking and documenting their hours, leave, and clinical activities in accordance with site and accreditation requirements.


Course Fees

No course fees associated with this class.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.