Training Program

Internship

Training Program

The Training Program at the Counseling Center is designed to offer interns a full-time, 2000-hour intensive supervised experience, functioning as mental health professionals in a college counseling setting. It is our goal to train interns to become skilled, ethical, independent mental health professionals who are capable of functioning competently in a variety of settings, including a college or university. Interns are supervised by licensed psychologists. A host of experiences are provided for interns and graduate students, including:

• Bi-Weekly Psychiatric Consultation

• Bi-weekly Inservice Trainings/Lectures

• Multicultural Training

• Outreach and Consultation Opportunities

• Individual Supervision

• Group Supervision

• Staff Meetings w/ Senior Staff

Interns provide the following services: time-limited individual and couples counseling; on-going, open, and time-limited psychoeducational and therapeutic groups (topics often include toxic parents, women’s issues, test anxiety, assertiveness training, depression, and parenting, to name a few); crisis intervention; emergency assessment; and walk-in/intake assessments. In addition, opportunities are available for interns to participate in outreach and educational programs provided for the college community which include diversity consultation and training; giving guest lectures in college classes on Center services and topical areas; organizational consultation; diversity symposia; training peer educators; health education; and others.

Metro’s student body is diverse in many ways, serving in part, the following populations:Caucasian; African American; American Indian, ; Asian American,; Bisexual/Gay/Lesbian; International; Latino/Hispanic; Students with Disabilities; Women.

The Center is committed to the enhancement of a diverse campus through efforts at diversity training.The expected outcomes of these efforts are 1) the establishment and maintenance of a campus culture that supports the academic and multicultural enrichment of its constituents; 2) the infusion of multicultural insights into the content and spirit of the classroom; 3) the infusion of multicultural insights into management approaches throughout college offices and departments by valuing and placing emphasis on clear and honest communication, genuine inclusion, and progressively moving toward a collective attitude of openness to differences through learning; 4) providing education and training with regard to the problems, conflicts, solutions and opportunities that are endemic and possible in a community that truly values and embraces the diversity within each of its members; 5) assisting students and employees, underrepresented and majority alike, in finding a genuine basis for belonging, achievement and success in their respective endeavors; and 6) assisting Metro State in accomplishing its organizational mission(s) through renewed trust, commitment and accountability from its constituents based on the egalitarian and respectful treatment of its constituents.

Application Procedure

PROGRAM CODE: 170111

The Metro State Counseling Center will utilize the AAPI Online Application Process for selection of the 2012-2013 internship class.  We no longer accept mailed, hard-copy applications.  As we require undergraduate transcripts for our Human Resources Department, applicants will need to up-load official undergraduate transcripts, as is done for graduate transcripts.  A full description of the AAPI on-line procedure, and how to access the portal can be found at https://portal.appicas.org/, the APPIC website. 

Application requirements are as follows:

1.  Completed on-line APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI) form.

2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate work uploaded as supplemental materials.

3. Three letters of reference, at least two of which should be from individuals who are able to comment on their supervision of your therapy work.

4. Your AAPI form should document completion dates for comprehensive exams, all coursework, and an approved dissertation proposal or doctoral paper, if applicable.  All mandatory requirements must be completed by November 1, 2012. 

5. Coursework and experience with the Rorschach and TAT are required.

Successful Background Checks will be required of all finalists.

Due Date and Time

Completed on-line APPIC applications must be uploaded by 12:00 a.m., MST, November 01, 2012, in order to be accepted.  Applications received after this time will not be accepted or considered. 

Interview Process

Candidates considered for interview will be notified by an e-mail, during the first week of December, 2012, requesting the applicant to call the Center’s main number and speak with our administrative assistant, who will have a matrix of the available times and dates for interviews.  Applicants may interview in person or by telephone. 

Training Director Address and Contact Information

Gail Bruce-Sanford, Ph.D.
Interim Director of Training
Campus Box 5, P.O. Box 173362
Denver, Colorado, 173362-3362

Phone:  303-556-6433

Fax: 303-556-4760

E-mail: brucesan@mscd.edu 



Selection Process

Applications for our internship program are accepted through the APPIC application process.  Our deadline for applications is November 01 of each year.  Interviews are conducted with the top fifteen to twenty applicants who make the first cut.  Rankings are done after interviews are completed.  Cover letters, official academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, verification of readiness from academic program training directors, and letters of recommendation are reviewed for completion of relevant coursework, depth and breadth of clinical experience and professionalism.  Selected pre-doctoral interns must also pass a background check in keeping with the institution’s hiring policies. 

The strong candidate will demonstrate evidence of the following practicum and academic preparation requirements:

1. Completed AAPI form requirements submitted by required deadline.

2. Successful completion of a minimum number of 400 intervention (practicum) hours.

3. A minimum number of three years of graduate training required in clinical/counseling psychology. 

4. Successful completion of comprehensive exams.

5. Dissertation and/or doctoral paper proposal completed by APPI due date.

6. Coursework and experience with individual group therapy, assessment, theories of personality, research methods, diversity/multi-culturalism, biological bases of behavior, scientific and professional ethics and standards,  statistics, psychometrics, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, individual differences, and research design and methodology.

7. Have completed at least one assessment battery including projective assessments.

8. Successful candidate interview with the training staff.

9. Demonstration of knowledge of, and interest in, our site.  Have interests, aptitudes, and prior academic and practicum experiences that are appropriate for the internship’s goals and objectives.

Notification Procedure

PROGRAM CODE: 170111

The Center abides by APPIC Match Policies established by the Association for Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant prior to Uniform Notification Day.

If you have not yet requested an Applicant Agreement Form and materials describing the APPIC Internship Matching Program for positions beginning in 2012, please contact:  

National Matching Services, Inc.
595 Bay Street Suite 301, Box 29
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C2
Telephone: (416) 977-3431
Fax: (416) 977-5020.

Metropolitan State College of Denver is an equal opportunity employer; applications from minorities and women are particularly invited. Metropolitan State College of Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions or disability in admissions or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities. Any questions about the nondiscrimination policy may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, Metro State College of Denver, Central 315, Denver, CO 80217; tel.: 303-556-4746

Financial and Administrative Assistance

The Counseling Center falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.   The Center is funded in part by Student Health fees ( personnel  and operating expenditures, and in part by the Provost’s Office (one staff psychologist position).  Within the Center, in addition to the Director, there is an Assistant and Training Director responsible for Training.  In addition the Center is funded for 5 additional senior staff members who have different coordinator responsibilities; 3 pre-doctoral positions; one post-doctoral position, and two masters’ level practicum students. Interns are provided with an annual stipend of $24,130.00 along with benefits which approximate 21%. They also receive an additional stipend of $200.00 for attendance at local workshops. There is one administrative assistant who provides support for a variety of clerical and technical tasks.

Additionally the Center funds external speakers on a monthly basis to provide guest lectures on clinical topics of interest to interns.   

The Counseling Center’s Effort to Attract and Retain Diverse Interns

Metro State College of Denver emphasizes our commitment to diversity in our advertising materials. Intern brochures are mailed to a variety of  academic programs including those with higher minority enrollment. We highlight our diverse student body that consists of traditional and non-traditional students as a feature of our program, as well as training activities regarding diverse populations.  Close attention is paid to applicants’ experiences with diversity as well as their personal interest and commitment to diversity.  We also emphasize the diversity of our clientele, which mirrors the diversity of our college population.  Throughout the training year, interns are encouraged to develop new programming for our diverse student body based on their interests.  Further, we advertise that interns participate in and facilitate a variety of groups, workshops, and presentations that promote diversity.  Additionally, our interns work with our diverse student body by facilitating individual, group, and couples counseling.

The Center has consistently required monthly diversity training for all staff as part of professional development. There is also a focused 5- hour seminar provided to interns each year.

Currently, 40% of the full-time staff at the Metro State Counseling Center represents a racial/ethnic minority group.  Pre-doctoral, totaling 21throughout past years, have been comprised of 17women and 4 men, with 25% representing a racial/ethnic minority group, and 22% representing GLBT orientation. 

A stipend of $24,130.00 with benefits will be offered for the period 2012-13; a twelve-month, 2000 hour, full-time position. Interns are approved by the site for vacation/sick/professional development leave, and 10 holidays. A total of 30 hours may be granted for dissertation research. As employees of the college, interns have full access to campus recreation facilities, libraries, and a wide range of campus activities on a very vibrant and active campus.