How to Apply
***IMPORTANT: This page describes the application requirements and procedures for the Northwestern CAPS Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology, a university counseling center training site. If you are seeking information about the doctoral internship program offered by the Feinberg School of Medicine's Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, use this link: https://www.psychiatry.northwestern.edu/education/clinical-psychology-residency.html.***
Criteria for Internship
To be considered for the CAPS Internship Program, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
- Current enrollment in an APA-accredited (or CPA-accredited) doctoral program in counseling or clinical psychology.
- Successful completion of doctoral comprehensive or qualifying exams.
- Completion of a minimum of 350 intervention hours from practica by October 1st, and a minimum of 1,200 total practicum hours. Refer to the AAPI for what is included under "Intervention Experience." These hours may also include practicum training accrued during a terminal master’s program. On the other hand, although we value applicants' non-practicum clinical work in mental health services (e.g., jobs, volunteer work) as a helpful indicator of their overall experience in the field, hours of non-practicum services should not be counted towards this criterion.
- Approval by the academic training program verifying readiness for internship.
- Completion of all required coursework and practica prior to the starting date of the internship.
- Favorable consideration will be given to applicants who will have completed or made substantial progress toward completing their dissertations by the start of the internship year.
Application Materials
CAPS uses the AAPI Online Application as with all APPIC member internship programs. Hard-copy, mailed-in applications will not be accepted. Visit the APPIC website to find out more about the AAPI Online.
Your application must include the following components:
- Completed APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI) form. The AAPI may be downloaded from the APPIC website.
- In a cover letter or letter of interest, describe the qualifications and professional experiences that you believe align with the offerings of our site. Please also describe your specific goals for the internship. Please limit the length of the letter to 750 words (excluding address, greeting, and signature).
- A current curriculum vita.
- In the cover letter (see above) and/or vita, clearly identify experience conducting intake assessments and crisis assessment and intervention (e.g. walk-in/on-call, triage, emergency room assessments, crisis hotline, etc.).
- Official transcripts for all graduate work.
- Three letters of recommendation, at least two from clinical supervisors familiar with your more recent clinical work.
Deadline for Applications:
Applications must be submitted through AAPI Online by Friday, November 10th, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Contacting the Internship Program:
To communicate directly with the Intern Selection Chair, e-mail Arellys Aguinaga directly at arellys.aguinaga@northwestern.edu, or use the following mailing address:
Arellys Aguinaga
Northwestern University
CAPS, Abbott Hall, 5th Floor
710 N. Lake Short Drive
Chicago, IL, 60611
Selection Procedures
The Intern Selection Committee is comprised of the Training Director, senior staff members, and occasionally Postdoctoral Fellows and current Doctoral Interns. Applications are reviewed for alignment of the applicant's training goals and clinical experience with the CAPS internship program offerings. CAPS' selection process follows the Match Policies set by APPIC. Applicants are also required to follow APPIC guidelines.
The Selection Committee at CAPS reviews the AAPI between the second week of November and the second week of December. By December 15, 2023, all applicants will be notified by email of whether or not they will be invited for a 50-minute Zoom interview. CAPS typically invites 30 candidates for interviews, which are scheduled during the first three weeks of January. Instructions for what to expect and how to effectively prepare for the interview are provided.
For candidates who match with CAPS for an internship position, please note that hiring is contingent upon a successful background check conducted through HR Talent Acquisition. Drug testing is not a requirement of the hiring process for CAPS Doctoral Interns. Effective January 1, 2020, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act permits the use of marijuana in the State of Illinois by adults age 21 and older. However, Northwestern University policy prohibits faculty or staff from the use or possession of cannabis on campus under any circumstance, regardless of medicinal status.
***Please note that the National Register may be able to assist with relocation expenses for internship: https://www.nationalregister.org/tools-services/internship-travel-scholarship/.***