Psychology Internships
Psychology internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working psychologists and behavioral researchers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Roles are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with IDEA Public Schools, Loudoun County Public Schools, and Faculty among the employers posting roles now.
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Job Posting: Clinical Psychology Intern - Metropolitan State Hospital
Department of State Hospitals
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERN
$3,845.00 - $5,992.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: Until Filled
Job Description and Duties
The class of Clinical Psychology Intern is a training class established to provide limited term employment offering supervised professional experience in clinical psychology.
The Clinical Psychology Intern is an individual who is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in clinical psychology at a recognized university or professional school. The clinical psychology internship provides the final required year of applied clinical service in psychology training.
As an Affiliate Member of DSH-Metropolitan Psychology Services, the Clinical Psychology Intern adheres to the following: Psychology Service Rules and Regulations, Medical Staff Bylaws, Administrative Directives, and all DSH-Metropolitan policies and procedures. The Clinical Psychology Intern aspires to the highest standards of the profession through efforts to practice in accordance with the American Psychological Association's Ethical Guidelines, Specialty Guidelines, and Standards for Providers of Psychological Services. The Clinical Psychology Intern familiarizes herself/himself with, and conforms psychology practices, to the laws and regulations governing the practice of psychology in the state of California.
During the course of training, the Clinical Psychology Intern is expected to develop the skills and expertise required of the journeyman level clinical psychologist, with some specialized skills in the area of forensic psychology and treatment of the severely mentally ill. The internship is a training program; as such, the Clinical Psychology Intern is not privileged to practice independently within DSH-Metropolitan. All direct psychological services are provided under the supervision, hospital privileges, and professional license of a Staff Psychologist (Health Facility - Clinical), Senior Psychologist Specialist, or Senior Psychologist Supervisor. All written work products, including reports, consultation, and progress notes, are counter signed by the licensed psychologist who provided clinical supervision for that work.
The examination is a separate process from applying for the vacancy. Please carefully read and follow the instructions for each process.
Official Exam Bulletin: Exam Bulletin | CalCareers
- Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Position Details
Department Information
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
All Examination and/or Employment Application forms must include: “to” and “from” dates (month/day/year); time base; and civil service class titles. Examination and/or Employment Application forms received without this information will be rejected. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed Examination and/or Employment Application (STD. 678) form.
EMAILED OR FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Application Instructions
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: Until FilledWho May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Degree and/or School Transcripts
Desirable Qualifications
Candidates should be registered participants with Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC), and with the National Matching services for Psychology Internship placement.
Benefits
In addition, you can look forward to:
- Free parking
- Convenient to public transportation
- Located near multiple eateries and major freeway access
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Selection Services
(562) 521-1752
msh.recruitment@dsh.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:EEO Officer
(562) 455-4147
yesenia.mazariegos@dsh.ca.gov
Additional Information
The term VAR and/or XXX in the position number indicates that multiple vacancies may exist for this classification.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Psychology Internship Market
Who's Hiring


Tips for Your Psychology Internship Search
Apply for summer roles in the fall
Large employers, including hospital systems, research organizations, and behavioral health companies, recruit summer psychology interns the preceding fall. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Know which type you are targeting so you are not applying too late for structured cohorts or too early for rolling openings.
Build documented proof before you apply
Psychology intern recruiters cannot assess experience you have not had, so give them something concrete instead. A written case study, a practicum summary with documented outcomes, or a research poster with your methodology and findings shows how you think and work. Include a link or attachment so reviewers can see the actual output, not just a description of it.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to smaller organizations running their own cohorts at the same time to widen the pool you reach beyond what appears on your university's board.
Practice your intern interview format out loud
Psychology internship screens often include a behavioral interview, a brief case scenario, or a discussion of a project you completed. Practice answering out loud, not just in your head, and walk the interviewer through your reasoning step by step. Hiring managers weigh how you think through ambiguous situations as much as the conclusion you reach.
Target structured internship programs built for new entrants
Larger employers in healthcare, human services, and research run formal cohort or rotational internship programs designed to train people new to the field, including predoctoral placements and summer practicum pipelines. These programs recruit early and fill fast, so identify the ones that fit your degree level and apply in the first wave of the cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the psychology internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you search, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you are not sorting through placements you cannot accept. Applying only to roles that fit your situation keeps your effort focused on real opportunities.
Psychology Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a psychology internship?
Lead with coursework and independent projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For psychology candidates, a documented case study, practicum report, or research summary gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a psychology internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is consistent performance on real client or research work, available headcount on the team at the end of your term, and raising the conversation with your manager before the final weeks. Position yourself well without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for psychology internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, including hospital systems, research institutions, and consulting firms, recruit summer interns the preceding fall. Smaller companies, nonprofits, and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking regularly and applying as soon as a role fits your background gives you the strongest shot at structured cohorts.
Are psychology internships paid?
Most professional psychology internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show the range where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid placements still exist primarily in certain nonprofit and research settings, so read each listing carefully before applying.
What should a psychology internship resume include?
Lead with projects rather than work history. Include two or three documented projects showing the methods you used and where to see the work, such as a published research summary, case conceptualization, or practicum evaluation. Add relevant coursework in assessment, statistics, or clinical theory, list any licensed software or testing tools you know, and keep the whole resume to one page.
Are there remote psychology internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the psychology internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants nationally, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a predoctoral psychology internship and how does it work?
Predoctoral internships are structured, full-year placements for doctoral candidates in clinical, counseling, or school psychology, typically required before licensure. They are matched through a formal national process, are highly competitive, and recruit on a fixed annual cycle. If you are in a doctoral program, identify target sites early and begin applications well before the submission deadline.
Can international students get psychology internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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