Clinical experiences are an essential component of the School Psychology program, linking rigorous academic study with practical, supervised training in educational and clinical settings.  

Externships (Years 1–4)

Short-term, unpaid experiences where our students observe and learn from clinical psychologists in a variety of settings. Externships are paired with a seminar course designed to help students connect field experience with their coursework. 

Examples of externship partners include: 

  • Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities 
  • Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development 
  • Chapel Hill Pediatric Psychology 
  • Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital 
  • UNC Program for Childhood Trauma & Maltreatment 
  • Duke Neuropsychological Clinic 
  • UNC School of Medicine – Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 
  • Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute 
  • Whitaker Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility 
  • TEACCH Autism Program 
  • NCDHHS – Children’s Services 
  • Duke Child Developmental and Behavioral Health Clinic 
  • Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools 
  • Durham Public Schools 
  • Wake County School System 

Internship (Years 4 or 5)

Full-time, organized training experience where students develop profession-wide competencies in health service psychology with a specialization in school psychology. Internships take place in schools or clinical settings under the supervision of a licensed psychologist mentor who provides ongoing guidance and feedback. Both Association for Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC)-approved and non-APPIC internship opportunities are available. 

Examples of APPIC internship sites include: 

  • Riverbend Community Mental Health, Inc., Concord, NH 
  • Central Regional Hospital, Butner, NC 
  • Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA 
  • Franciscan Children’s Behavioral Health Services, Brighton, MA 
  • University of North Carolina Department of Psychology Community Clinic, Chapel Hill, NC 
  • Whitaker Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, Butner, NC 
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute Behavior Management Clinic, Baltimore, MD 
  • Intermountain Healthcare, Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT 
  • Haymount Institute for Psychological Services, Fayetteville, NC 
  • Community Services Institute, Springfield, MA 
  • Westchester Jewish Community Services, White Plains, NY 
  • Terry Children’s Psychiatric Center, New Castle, DE 
  • Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Chapel Hill, NC 
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress, Baltimore, MD 
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute Child & Family Therapy Clinic, Baltimore, MD 
  • Astor Services for Children & Families, Rhinebeck, NY 
  • Southwest Behavioral and Health Services, Phoenix, AZ 
  • University of Tennessee Health Science Center St. Jude Pediatric, Memphis, TN 
  • UCLA – Semel Institute, Los Angeles, CA 

Learn More About the Program

Have questions? Contact us to connect directly with our Program Coordinator. We’re here to support you as you explore the School Psychology program.