Fall 2023 Update

Students who are pursuing a degree in Psychology are required to engage in an experiential learning component. One way for Bachelor of Arts degree majors to fulfill this is through an internship or volunteer opportunity. If one of the opportunities listed below is of interest to you, please check with your advisor in the Psychology department or the Department Chair to find out if the opportunity you are interested in can qualify for this credit.

"Internships" come in many different shapes and forms—for that reason, the word has varied meanings.

For some, it means "volunteer," for others, "paid apprenticeship." Some organizations require that you earn academic credit, while others don't. Different terms might be used to describe an internship, such as "externship" or "fellowship." In some cases, summer jobs, work-study, or part-time situations might qualify as internships.

The three most common factors that define an internship are these:

  1. The work has a specific endpoint; it is temporary, whether it's a month or two years in duration.
  2. The work includes specific learning objectives.
  3. The work is performed under the guidance of a supervisor or mentor.

At Puget Sound, it's possible to link some situations that meet these criteria to the curriculum for academic credit. Curious about pursuing an internship for credit? Contact CES (Career and Employment Services) to request more information and see if the internship you are pursuing qualifies.