Part Time – Student (graduate) - Counseling And Psychological Services Internship

Graduate Internship Training Program (GITP)

Penn State Harrisburg Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) invites applications for its graduate internship training program (GITP) at our Middletown campus. This is an on-site, paid, and immersive training experience designed for graduate students pursuing psychology, counseling, social work, doctoral program preparation, and other clinical degrees. This curriculum extends beyond traditional service provision and strives to reflect a current and comprehensive representation of the collegiate mental health career field.

This experience is intended to facilitate clinical and personal growth for future mental health professionals. As such, the GITP features a didactic component designed to complement the academic instruction of most graduate programs with a focus on practical application and professional skillset development. Examples of training topics include early case conceptualization and treatment-planning, crisis and emergency protocol, theoretical orientation development, ethical competency within short/brief service delivery, cultural competency and humility, substance misuse assessment, trauma-informed clinical care, and clinical documentation.

We seek talented applicants with specialized skills, training, or interests relevant to the collegiate mental health field such as multicultural counseling, trauma, disordered eating, acute anxiety and depression, addictive behaviors, identity intersectionality, students with disabilities, adult learners, multilingual and international students, as well as BIPOC, LGTBQ+, APIDA, first generation, and veteran students.

CAPS is currently seeking 2-3 graduate training positions for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters. Well-qualified practicum and internship applicants are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Job duties include:

• Provide individual, couples, and group counseling to students seeking assistance for emotional and behavioral concerns.
• Conduct intake assessments, case management services, and provide virtual, campus, community, and auxiliary resources for students entering CAPS' services.
• Evaluate student concerns, conceptualize provisional diagnoses, assess potential for referral to a more appropriate level of care when indicated, and facilitate referral.
• Assist with access/triage assessment.
• Screen incoming student data forms related to services and symptom severity.
• Partner with supervisor and other campus staff to coordinate urgent mental health crisis services.
• Consult with campus community on issues of care and concern.
• Participate and present in group and individual clinical supervision. One hour of weekly individual and one hour of group supervision is required.
• Provide video recordings or live observation of select sessions for training and skill development.
• Assist with CAPS' outreach programming. Examples include classroom presentations, First-Year Seminars (FYS), workshops, panel discussions, or CAPS-sponsored campus events.
• Attend GITP training seminars and presentations as outlined above.

Requirements and qualifications include:

• Application/Prior to Interview(s):
  • Enrollment in a master's degree program in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related mental-health discipline.
  • Completed relevant graduate-level coursework in clinical interviewing, ethics, multicultural competency, psychopathology, theories/models of psychotherapy, group counseling and other relevant topics.
  • Submit cover letter outlining training placement needs (e.g. applying to practicum or internship, required hours, etc.) with current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Provide unofficial university transcripts (to ensure academic eligibility).
  • All applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Post Application/Interview:
  • Provide proof of professional liability insurance (minimum $1 million per claim and aggregate $3 million per occurrence)
  • Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional).

Please note that incomplete applications may not be reviewed or considered.

Applicants advancing to interviews will be provided a brief questionnaire regarding the specifics of their graduate program's needs (e.g. number of required hours, MOU requirements, intended graduation date, etc.), goals they hope to pursue within the GITP, theoretical orientation, career goals, etc. to be completed prior to interviews.

International graduate student applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis with assistance from your institution's International Student Office (or equivalent department).

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.