Navigating APPIC Internship Directory Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing an internship is a crucial step in the journey to becoming a licensed psychologist. The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) plays a vital role in this process, offering a directory of member internship programs and overseeing the APPIC Match, a system designed to connect applicants with suitable training opportunities. This article will delve into the APPIC Internship Directory requirements, providing a comprehensive overview for both internship programs and prospective applicants.

Understanding the APPIC Internship Directory

The APPIC Directory serves as a valuable resource for students, graduate faculty, and training directors. It helps in identifying APPIC-member internship and postdoctoral training programs that align with specific training needs. Only APPIC-member programs are listed, and the directory is available electronically, offering various search options. A listing in the directory signifies that a program is an APPIC Member and has declared compliance with APPIC membership policies. Verification of membership status can be obtained from the APPIC Central Office.

Each program is responsible for updating its directory information annually, typically by July, and whenever program changes occur. Regular updates are strongly encouraged to ensure the information is current, addressing a common complaint from applicants about outdated content.

APPIC Membership: Essential Criteria for Internship Programs

APPIC membership is crucial for internship programs seeking to participate in the APPIC Match and gain visibility among potential applicants. Several criteria must be met to achieve and maintain membership:

Basic Requirements

Training Program Structure: A psychology internship must be an organized training program, contrasting with supervised experience or on-the-job training. It should offer a planned sequence of training experiences.
Designated Staff Psychologist: The internship agency must have a clearly designated doctoral-level staff psychologist responsible for the integrity and quality of the training program.
Qualified Training Staff: The training staff must consist of at least two full-time equivalent doctoral-level psychologists. They need to be actively licensed, certified, or registered as psychologists by the Board of Examiners in the jurisdiction where the program exists. A minimum of 35 hours/week qualifies as "full time equivalent" for APPIC member programs.
Supervision: Interns should receive supervision from at least two different supervisors during the year.
- Regularly scheduled individual supervision must be provided by one or more doctoral-level licensed psychologists, at a ratio of no less than one hour of supervision for every 20 internship hours.
- Supervision should specifically address psychological services rendered directly by the intern.
- The required hours shall be through face-to-face individual supervision (rural sites may use visual telecommunication technology in unusual circumstances and when face-to-face supervision is impractical, but must demonstrate that such technology provides sufficient oversight).
- Supervisors need to be clearly designated by the agency as clinically responsible for the cases.
Didactic Experiences: The psychology training program should have scheduled didactic experiences available to meet the training needs of their interns. A minimum of 2 hours per week on average with not less than 8 hours in any given month. "Didactic activities" refers to actual training opportunities and should include expected training activities listed by topics that are at the internship level of training, presenter credentials, date/time, and it is expected learning activities are beyond Intern Case Presentations.
Intern Prerequisites: Interns must have completed adequate and appropriate prerequisite training before starting the internship.
Minimum Number of Interns: The internship agency must have a minimum of two interns at the predoctoral level of training during any training year. These interns must be at least half-time (i.e., 20 hours per week).
Program Description: The internship agency must have a written statement or brochure clearly describing the nature of the training program, including goals, content, and expectations for the trainee's work. This should be available to prospective interns and describe the sites at which training and services are provided.
Notification of Changes: APPIC must be notified in writing of substantive changes to the training program (personnel, placements, etc.) that could impact training quality or alter the advertised training experience.
Due Process Procedures: Internship programs must have documented due process procedures that describe how programs handle concerns about intern performance and interns' concerns about training.
Certificate of Completion: APPIC member programs are required to issue a certificate of internship completion, which includes the word "Psychology," to all interns who have successfully completed the program.
Financial Resources and Stipends: The program must have the necessary financial resources to achieve its training goals and objectives. Intern stipends must be reasonable, fair, and clearly stated in advance.
- Intern stipends shall be set at a level that is representative and fair in relationship to the geographic location and clinical setting of the training site.
- Stipends should be reasonable based on a comparison with other APPIC member programs in your area.
- Unfunded or poorly funded internship positions are allowed only in unusual and infrequent circumstances in which the creation of such a position would serve to alleviate a hardship for the potential intern candidate.
- Stipends are equal among trainees unless there is an extenuating circumstance (e.g., specialized skills, consortia agreements).

Provisional Membership

Programs not meeting the minimum intern requirement (two on-site interns during initial application) but fulfilling all other criteria may apply for Provisional Membership.

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Consortia

Consortia of independent training programs can also apply for APPIC membership. A consortium pools resources from multiple sites to enhance the quality of training provided to interns and/or postdoctoral fellows.

Application and Renewal

There is a $600 application fee for APPIC membership. Programs are encouraged to apply before the deadline. APPIC requires periodic reviews for internship and postdoctoral programs not accredited by the APA or CPA, typically every three years. Renewal materials must be submitted before the specified deadline. Failure to renew can lead to withdrawal from APPIC and ineligibility to participate in the APPIC Match.

The APPIC Match: Connecting Applicants and Internship Programs

The APPIC Match is a standardized system used to match applicants with internship programs. All APPIC-member internship programs with available positions are required to participate. Non-member programs are ineligible, with some exceptions for non-accredited programs that have been Full APPIC Members for three years.

Eligibility for Applicants

To be eligible for the APPIC Match and to attend an APPIC-member internship program, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Be currently matriculating through a doctoral program that meets APPIC's criteria.
Doctoral programs must be accredited by an eligible accrediting body or have been awarded an accreditation site visit, and be approved by APPIC for Doctoral Program Associate (DPA) status and have paid all applicable fees.
Students from these programs are eligible to participate in the Match and Post-Match Vacancy Service.
Doctoral programs that do not meet the above requirements but do meet other standards established by APPIC are eligible for participation in the PMVS only.
Applicants who have already graduated from their doctoral programs are not eligible.

Match Policies and Procedures

Applicants and their doctoral programs must immediately notify all internship sites to which the applicant has applied of any substantive change to their standing, application information, or eligibility.
Internship programs must provide complete and accurate information to applicants, including all institutional and program policies related to eligibility requirements for appointment.
APPIC discourages separate contracts or agreements between doctoral programs and internship programs, but if required, these must be fully disclosed.
The AAPI application service must be used by applicants to apply to all internship programs participating in the Match.
Programs participating in Phase II of the Match must accept applications until the application deadline established by APPIC.
Internship sites with multiple programs in the APPIC Match may ask applicants to identify the programs to which they are applying and designate their preferences for interview arrangements.
Appointments may be contingent upon applicants satisfying certain eligibility requirements, such as drug testing or background checks, which must be clearly specified in advance.

Key Dates

Results of Phase I of the Match are released in February.
Results of Phase II of the Match are released in March.

Post-Match Vacancy Service (PMVS)

The APPIC Post-Match Vacancy Service (PMVS) helps fill positions remaining unfilled after both phases of the APPIC Match. Internship programs must notify APPIC if they wish to include their vacancies in the PMVS. Students who remain unmatched can access the list of positions and submit applications.

Eligibility for PMVS Participation

All APPIC-member internship programs are eligible to use the Post-Match Vacancy Service.
Doctoral programs must meet certain accreditation and APPIC approval criteria to be eligible for student participation in both the Match and PMVS.
Some doctoral programs that do not meet the requirements for Match participation may still be eligible for PMVS participation only.

PMVS Process for Internship Programs

To list positions in the PMVS, the Training Director should send the required information to APPIC.
The announcement should be brief and may include application instructions, selection criteria, or other relevant information.
Students must submit a completed AAPI to be considered for a position.
Programs can request supplemental materials from selected applicants after reviewing initial applications.
Vacancies will be posted on the APPIC website until the program requests removal.

PMVS and Accreditation

APPIC has a "Policy on Public Statements about Accreditation and APPIC Membership" that outlines requirements for programs that have not yet achieved accreditation. Programs should review this policy carefully and ensure that their announcements comply with its requirements.

Accreditation Considerations

Accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) is a significant factor for many internship programs and applicants.

Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation signifies that a program has undergone external review by an accrediting body composed of peers with expertise in professional psychology education.
The review process includes an on-site visit to verify compliance with accreditation criteria.
APA and CPA accreditation are the highest standards of review for internship programs.

APPIC and Accreditation

APPIC is a membership organization, not an accrediting body. The term "APPIC accredited" is incorrect.
APA or CPA accredited programs automatically qualify for APPIC membership.
APPIC implemented policy changes that took effect beginning with the 2018 Match (representing the 2018-19 internship year) that limited Match participation to students who attend doctoral programs that are accredited or that have been granted an accreditation site visit.

Considerations for Non-Accredited Programs

While excellent non-accredited internship programs exist, attending such programs can present potential risks.
Some graduate programs require students to attend accredited internships.
Licensing boards in some jurisdictions may require an accredited internship for licensure.
Some employers and postdoctoral fellowship positions require or prefer applicants to have completed accredited internships.
APPIC Members are listed in the APPIC Directory, and their accreditation status is included in their Directory listings.

Key Considerations for Applicants

Program Fit

Internship directors seek a two-way fit between the applicant and the site, considering the applicant's alignment with the program's philosophy, goals, and staff, as well as the program's alignment with the applicant's needs, desires, and career plans.

Important Characteristics

Personal characteristics, such as openness to learning and interpersonal skills, are highly valued.
Quality relevant experience, with some experience in multiculturalism, is preferred over endless practicum hours.
Applicants from APA-accredited programs who have completed comprehensive examinations are often preferred.
Specific skills, such as psychological testing, psychotherapy from a particular orientation, or clear writing skills, may be required.

Due Process and Grievance Procedures

Internship programs have documented due process procedures that describe separately how programs deal with (1) concerns about intern performance, and (2) interns' concerns about training. Due process must include three elements: Notice , Hearing and Appeal. Grievance Procedure is a process that is invoked when an intern has a complaint against the training program.

Making Informed Decisions

Prospective interns should thoroughly research potential internship sites, utilizing the APPIC Directory and other resources. During interviews, it's crucial to speak with current interns to understand their experiences. Pay attention to your "gut" reactions. If a site seems too formal, or too informal, or too whatever, that is important information.

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Addressing Common Concerns

Completing Two Internships

APPIC discourages students from pursuing two internships, as it may negatively impact their chances of securing a second, more preferred internship. Internship Training Directors may be unlikely to consider a student who is applying for internship when they have already completed (or are in the process of completing) an internship.

Internship After Doctoral Degree

APPIC policies state that students participating in the APPIC Match or Post-Match Vacancy Service must be currently matriculating through a doctoral program. Individuals who want to complete an internship after the doctoral degree is conferred are generally not eligible for future APPIC Matches, with an exception for those in a re-specialization program.

Commercial Internship Services

APPIC advises students to be cautious when using commercial services that assist applicants in obtaining an internship, as some may exploit students' fears and worries about not getting matched. Numerous no-cost and low-cost resources are available, such as APAGS workbooks, APPIC and NMS websites, and faculty support.

Late-Breaking Changes to Programs

APPIC allows Training Directors to announce major, late-breaking changes to their programs that occur in the Fall, such as receiving accreditation or APPIC membership, adding or removing a major rotation, or significant changes in stipend or policies.

Crafting a Strong Application

Application Materials

The AAPI application requires specific documents:

Cover Letter: A program-specific cover letter addressing how the internship site meets the applicant's training goals and interests.
Essays: Essays addressing the applicant's autobiographical statement, theoretical orientation, and how multicultural and diversity variables inform their case conceptualization and clinical practice.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): A standard, professional vita.
Treatment Summary (if required): A summary of the applicant's treatment experience.
Assessment Report (if required): A sample assessment report.

All clinical material should have identifying information redacted according to HIPAA guidelines.

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