• Seton Hall University
• Counseling and Psychological Services

Psychology Training Program (Externship)

Graduate training positions are available to qualified graduate students for the nine-month academic year at The Counseling and Psychological Services Center  of Seton Hall University. The Center is fully accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS).

Purpose

The program is designed to provide graduate students (externs) in appropriate programs with a multi-faceted training experience through which an integration of theories and skills can be achieved. Externs experience firsthand the full range of services and activities provided by university counseling centers.

Structure and Activities

The externship consists of one full academic year of placement at The Counseling and Psychological Services Center  for sixteen hours per week. Externs are required to be present during regular business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) with additional evening or weekend hours spent in outreach and programming activities to the university community. Externs adhere to the Seton Hall academic calendar for holidays and beginning / ending dates.

Training activities include:

• observing and conducting intake interviews
• individual counseling
• group counseling
• planning and conducting psycho-educational outreach activities to the campus community
• participation in weekly seminars
• case conference
• intake/treatment team meetings

One hour of supervision by a doctoral level staff member is provided for every 5 client hours. Externs present ongoing therapy cases in case conference. They are responsible for maintaining accurate and current records of their cases. While feedback is provided on an ongoing basis, written and verbal performance evaluation occurs at the middle and end of each semester. Feedback is based on all aspects of the extern’s conduct at The Counseling and Psychological Services Center and will be forwarded to the graduate program.

Qualifications

Externs must be enrolled in a graduate program that is primarily clinical/counseling in nature. Preference will be given to those students who have completed a practicum or skills course and have had some exposure to clinical work. Completion of coursework in theories of psychotherapy and psychopathology is desirable. Applicants must provide documentation from their graduate program that they are ready for this placement.

Applications

Applications are accepted during the month of January, in anticipation of the next training year which typically begins the following September. A completed application consists of the following:

• Cover letter stating your interests
• Current curriculum vita or resume
• Official transcript of graduate work, including courses currently underway
• Letter of approval from the graduate program verifying readiness for the externship placement
• Two letters of recommendation

Interviews

An interview will take place by invitation, typically during late-January through early-February. Positions are offered soon thereafter.  

For More Information Contact:
Priti Shah, Ph.D., Associate Director
The Counseling and Psychological Services Center
Seton Hall University
400 South Orange Avenue
Mooney Hall, Room 27
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 761-9500
priti.shah@shu.edu