APA equivalent internship

[GradStudent2020]

Are there states that require an APA internship in addition to an APA accredited program? I’ve done research for the states I *plan* to live in, but you never know. Those seem to have language about APA accredited or equivalent (and with info about what is considered equivalent) for internship training. Are there any states that won’t allow you to show/prove training equivalence for non-APA accredited internships?

I applied to only APA accredited sites, and have submitted my rank list. However, if I don’t match I want to know what my options are. My current practicum placement has offered me an internship and has had interns for the last 5-6 years. Their interns have no difficulty with licensure or employment. It’s great training (arguably better than many of the APA accredited places I interviewed with).

For what it’s worth, I would probably switch careers before working for the VA. The major healthcare systems in my area/state require a license but not an APA internship.

I am particularly interested in hearing from people that have completed a non-APA internship if you don’t mind sharing the impact (or non-impact) on your career.

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[psychstudent5]

Most states require an APA accredited internship. Even if you have no plan to work at a VA, many non-VA (and non-government) jobs require an APA-accredited doctoral program and internship. It is extremely hard to get licensed and land a decent job without an APA accredited internship, regardless of how great the training may be. This is even more so when there's a large pool of job applicants who did complete an APA accredited internship.

It's better to have it and not need it rather than to need it and not have it.

 

[GradStudent2020]

Most states require an APA accredited internship. Even if you have no plan to work at a VA, many non-VA (and non-government) jobs require an APA-accredited doctoral program and internship. It is extremely hard to get licensed and land a decent job without an APA accredited internship, regardless of how great the training may be. This is even more so when there's a large pool of job applicants who did complete an APA accredited internship.

It's better to have it and not need it rather than to need it and not have it.

I agree that having it is preferable, if for nothing else but ease of licensure. I can’t find any states that explicitly require it so I’m wondering if you know which ones do?

It is not “very hard” to get licensed in Texas without an APA internship. It’s been a non-issue for dozens of colleagues. But if that is true in specific other states I’d be interested to know.

I really have zero intention of ever working for the government or VA for personal reasons, so if those jobs are the only ones practically impacted that’s not an issue for me. I realize that is a very individual circumstance.

Do you have personal experience with this? I really appreciate your response!

 

[psych.meout]

I agree that having it is preferable, if for nothing else but ease of licensure. I can’t find any states that explicitly require it so I’m wondering if you know which ones do?

It is not “very hard” to get licensed in Texas without an APA internship. It’s been a non-issue for dozens of colleagues. But if that is true in specific other states I’d be interested to know.

I really have zero intention of ever working for the government or VA for personal reasons, so if those jobs are the only ones practically impacted that’s not an issue for me. I realize that is a very individual circumstance.

Do you have personal experience with this? I really appreciate your response!

Lots of AMCs and other private organizations require or strongly prefer them.

More importantly, even if an organization doesn't technically require that you have completed an APA-accredited internship, that doesn't mean that it wouldn't help you get the job or that the person who is doing the hiring won't just toss your application, because they have plenty of other qualified applicants who did complete one. Furthermore, just because organizations don't currently require APA-accredited internships for employment doesn't mean that they won't require them in the future. Yeah, you might be able to get the job now, but in a few years it may be more difficult to find employment as the pool of organizations not requiring one shrinks. Then, you might be stuck at your current job with few options. This happened to a psychologist I know. They were hired when the organization didn't require APA accreditation, so they are grandfathered in, but they wouldn't get that same job if they applied today and they aren't many good options in their area that may at least as well as what they currently earn and don't require APA internships.

You might say that you don't care, because you (will) love your job, but things change. You could get a new supervisor or department head who's a real jerk. The organization could just go under for financial reasons. There are so many possible ways that things could go wrong that there really isn't much upside to not doing an APA internship, especially when this is your one and only chance to do so.

 

[GradStudent2020]

I’m not sure I was being clear, based on the responses I’m getting.

Are there states that require an APA internship in addition to an APA accredited program?

Does anyone have personal experience with completing a non-APA internship impacting not impacting licensure?

I’m comfortable with the lack of a non-APA internship impacting certain employment options. I am not concerned with my employability, but am concerned with my flexibility in location. Thank you so much!

 

[psychstudent5]

Virginia and

I’m not sure I was being clear, based on the responses I’m getting.

Are there states that require an APA internship in addition to an APA accredited program?

Does anyone have personal experience with completing a non-APA internship impacting not impacting licensure?

I’m comfortable with the lack of a non-APA internship impacting certain employment options. I am not concerned with my employability, but am concerned with my flexibility in location. Thank you so much!

I completed an APA accredited internship. However, I do know Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee require an APA accredited internship for licensure.

 

[GradStudent2020]

Virginia and


I completed an APA accredited internship. However, I do know Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee require an APA accredited internship for licensure.

Thank you! That’s really helpful for me.