Qualifications and Application Procedures

We are committed to interns whose experiences and training match well with our site.  We strongly encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to review and apply to our site.  We look for  interns who are energetic, creative, flexible, and focused on their training as psychologists.  The following bullets are general guidelines for prospective applicants to consider when applying to our site.  Application materials are due by November 13, 2009.  Three internship positions are available for the 2010-2011internship training year.  Interns will receive a stipend of $22,000 dollars.

We are looking for:  

  • Students who want to move beyond the traditional role of school psychologist to the idea of being a "Psychologist in the Schools'.
  • Students who want to develop skills in psychotherapy, assessment, crisis intervention, and consultation.
  • Students from APA-approved doctoral programs.  School Psychology students are strongly preferred.  Students from Clinical and Counseling programs please refer to the information below. 
     
  • Students accepted into doctoral candidacy and have a completed dissertation proposal approved by beginning of  the intenship.  
  • We strongly prefer students who have completed a Masters Degree in School Psychology and whose academic program is willing to sign the necessary documentation as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to allow the intern to become certified as a school psychologist in Pennsylvania.
     
  • Students who have completed at least three years of practicum/field placement experience which includes direct experience/practica in psycho-educational assessment (at least 10 integrated batteries), diagnostic and treatment methods (minimum 1,200 hours).  This should include at least 50 hours of direct psycho-therapeutic experience with children. 
  • Students who have direct experience working in schools providing teacher consultation, psycho-educational assessment, and group counseling. 
  • Students who have experience and/or training working with families is helpful but not essential. 
     
  • Students who have experience with children with emotional and behavioral disorders as well as trauma and abuse is helpful, but not necessary. 
  • Students must have a good working knowledge of test administration, scoring, and interpretation with the at least the following: WISC IV, Woodcock Johnson-Achievement and Cognitive, BASC, CBCL, and Adaptive Behavior Scales. 
  • Possess an understanding of child development. 
  • Have a working knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis. 
  • Have some experience providing child psychotherapy.

Our interns are expected to devote themselves to their training, yet we believe interns should experience the assets our community has to offer. We encourage and foster efforts to help interns develop their professional identity. 

Application Process:

The Center utilizes a three-part selection process. First, application materials from eligible candidates are reviewed and evaluated independently by Internship faculty. Second, selected applicants will then be invited for a formal interview.  In-person interviews are highly recommended however, in some limited emergency situations, we will allow phone interviews. Third, applicants are ranked in terms of their overall compatibility to our program. The match between the applicant’s training and career goals and the internship’s training goals and orientation is a primary consideration.  In accordance with APPIC guidelines, applicants who are no longer under serious consideration may be notified as soon as possible in the selection process but no later than ten days prior to the Rank Order List submission deadline.

Once an intern is matched to Sarah Reed, he/she will be assigned to a school district placement.  This assignment is based on the expected fit between the intern, district, district supervisor, and interests of the intern.  Interns may be asked to provide additional information to their assigned school district, including but not limited to a separate application for employment. 

The Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center adheres to all Match Policies set forth by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). The center accepts three full-time interns each training year beginning in early August. Intern applicants for these slots are advanced pre-doctoral students who have completed required graduate course work and supervised practica. At least 1200 hours of practica are required for the internship.

  • Interns from School Psychology programs are preferred.  These individual should be interested in  moving beyond traditional activities and should have clinical practica and/or work experiences that demonstrate a commitment to obtaining non-traditional clinical skills (e.g. individual child psychotherapy with emotionally and behaviorally disordered children and adolescents.  Additional experience working with parents and families implementing systemic interventions is highly desirable. School Psychology Intern candidates matched to our site will be required to apply for certification as a school psychologist in Pennsylvania. It is critical that applicants discuss with their respective graduate programs the willingness of the program to agree to sign off on the necessary documentation needed to obtain certification as a school psychologist in Pennsylvania. Any questions about this requirement should be directed to Dr. Schwartz for clarification.  Click here for the summary of the requirements for PA certification in school psychology (PDE). A current certification in school psychology from the applicant’s home state is highly desirable. 
  • Students from Clinical or Counseling Psychology programs will be reviewed only if their application includes documented experience  working in a school district under the direct supervision of a certified school psychologist.  The application must include a letter of recommendation from the supervising school psychologist.

Interested applicants should complete the following documents as per the APPIC Online Instructions: All supplemental materials must be submitted on-line as per APPIC.

  • Current APPIC (Online-AAPI)

  • Current Vita

  • A copy of a full psycho-educational evaluation of a child including cognitive and achievement testing.  Please make sure all identifying information is redacted/changed.   (Submit on-line)

  • A copy of a therapy treatment summary involving a child.  Please make sure all identifying information is altered to protect the client's confidentiality.  (Submit on-line)
  • Official transcripts of all graduate studies. 
     

  • Three letters of recommendation from supervisors and faculty knowledgeable about their academic and clinical work.  We would expect that these letters include the strengths of the intern as well as any relevant areas of needed professional growth and development while on internship. Applicants from Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology programs must submit at least one letter of recommendation from a supervisor who is a School Psychologist attesting to their experiences in schools. 

  • It is the candidate's responsibility to make arrangements with the recommending persons and transcript offices so that all materials are received on-line by application deadline. 

Any questions should be made to Dr. Eric Schwartz, Director of Clinical Services and Psychology Internship Training, Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center, 2445 West 34th Street, Erie, PA 16506. The deadline for all materials  to be uploaded to the APPIC on-line website is November 13, 2009.

The Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create an environment that embraces diversity.  We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

If you have any additional questions, please contact:
 

Eric Schwartz, Psy.D.
Director of Clinical Services and Psychology Internship Training
Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center
2445 West 34th Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16506
eschwartz@sarahreed.org

Accreditation's/Memberships

  • Accredited since 1998 by the
    American Psychological Association
    750 First Street NE
    Washington, D.C., 20002-4242
    p: (202) 336-5979
  • Member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral
    and Internship Centers (APPIC)
    10 G Street, NE, Suite 750
    Washington, D.C. 20002
    p: (202) 589-0600
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