Graduate Training Program

The Hunter College Graduate Training Program is a unique training opportunity, designed mainly for graduate level Psychology and Social Work students. Trainees are placed in the Counseling and Wellness Services within the Office of Student Services, which collaborates with  Wellness Services, Career Development Services, Brookdale Residence Hall, and AccessABILITY (disability support services) to provide a variety of learning opportunities. This program is tailored to meet individual needs of Psychology and Social Work trainees to promote their professional development and offer a range of training experience with a highly diverse client base.

Goals of the Training Program

The Graduate Training Program focuses on the following areas of development. Trainees will:

• Integrate and apply various theories/conceptual knowledge.
  
• Increase competency in clinical practice.
  
• Increase cultural competency and sensitivity in work with our diverse student body—using these skills for assessment and intervention.
  
• Develop sensitivity to gender-specific issues.
  
• Heighten awareness of, and learn to address, personal issues that may impact professional functioning.
  
• Learn and integrate the legal and ethical guidelines that govern the practice of mental health professionals.
  
• Become more knowledgeable about, and learn to address, the impact of the academic environment on the student-client's sense of well-being.
  
  

Clinical Curriculum

I. Practice

• Individual and group counseling
• Intake
• Psycho-social assessment
• Crisis intervention
• Consultation, outreach and education
• Task projects (e.g. mental health and eating disorder screenings)
• Career counseling/workshops
• Relevant Office of Student Services activities (e.g. career and health fairs, first-year orientation seminar)
• Administrative responsibility
• Possible participation in research
  
  

II. Supervision

To enhance the diversified experiences working with individual students, trainees are supervised by licensed social workers and psychologists who have a wide range of professional expertise.

• A two-hour didactic seminar/case conference weekly
• An hour of individual supervision by field supervisor
• Individual/group supervision by task supervisor when appropriate
• Workshop, outreach, consultation, referral, and crisis supervision as needed
  
  

III. Seminars and Conferences

Case Conference: Weekly two-hour conference, at which interns present and discuss their cases, is attended by staff and supervisors.

Didactic Seminars: Regularly scheduled seminars conducted by Hunter College staff/faculty and invited guests, on topics of special interest (crisis intervention, potentially suicidal students, eating disorders, gender identity, etc.)

Qualifications

Candidates must be second-year, full-time students enrolled in a Master’s program in Social Work, or an APA Accredited PhD program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. 

Time Commitment

The time requirement and work schedule are agreed upon by Counseling supervisors and the trainee’s school. All trainees must be available on site three days per week. During the year, assignments may be modified in accordance with new opportunities, trainees' interests, and the needs of the Counseling Service.

Application Procedures

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae as soon as possible. Qualified students will be contacted for an individual interview. Interviews for Psychology Externs are usually held during the second to fourth week of February. Interviews for prospective Social Work Interns are held on the dates to be determined between Counseling Services and the individual schools. Students will be notified as soon as the selection process for is complete.

Applications should be submitted to Leslie Ader, LCSW, Director, Counseling and Wellness Services