Ohio Wesleyan Department of Psychology

Apprenticeship Opportunities in Psychology at
Ohio Wesleyan University

Apprenticeships give interested junior and senior psychology majors the opportunity to become involved with an external agency or employer of their choice, practicing the skills and integrating the knowledge obtained through coursework. The apprenticeships can vary widely depending upon the student's interest area. The Department advises students to discuss with their faculty advisor the value of an apprenticeship for them and the work necessary to receive credit for the experience. No more than one unit of credit can be applied toward the major.

While historically most apprenticeships have been in the clinical and social service areas, these opportunities could also be available for students who wish to apply their coursework in the business community or in a research or industrial laboratory. For the clinical or counseling apprenticeships, PSYC 322 is a prerequisite. Students in other areas (human resources, child development, industrial or government research) must have appropriate prerequisite courses.

The requirements for academic credit may vary somewhat but include frequent contact with the faculty and placement supervisors, readings to supplement the experience, a daily log or laboratory journal, and final report or paper summarizing the findings or experience. Typically apprenticeships involves working 8-10 hours per week over 15 weeks in an agency or organization that applies psychological principles to its clients or in the workplace. Two units of credit requires 16 or more hours per week. Only one academic credit can be counted toward the major and student performance is graded on a satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U) basis. No letter grade is given because the academic supervisor is not in a position to observe apprenticeship activity. Students earn "unsatisfactory" grades if they 1) breach the confidentiality of clients or 2) act in an unprofessional manner (e.g. failure to work agreed-upon hours, failure to complete required written work in a timely manner, or being non-compliant or discriminatory at the agency).

During the semester prior to the apprenticeship placement, the student, academic supervisor, and agency supervisor must meet to discuss the expectations of each person and to arrange times when the student will work at the agency. Below are listed the expectations of students being supervised by psychology faculty:

Maintain a log/journal detailing each encounter with the agency. Entries should describe student activities as well as his/her thoughts and observations about the process. The identity of all clients should be masked; only initials should be used to describe individuals in a clinical setting. Early entries should cover the student's expectations, fears, and hopes for the apprenticeship.
Attendance at weekly supervision sessions with the academic supervisor. Supervision will involve discussion of current challenges, solutions, successes, and failures in the agency. Time is also devoted for skill-building and for applying material learned in previous courses.
Two long papers are due at the end of the semester on topics to be agreed upon by the student and academic supervisor. These papers will involve library research.

A partial list of agencies in the Delaware area that are interested in apprenticeship students is given below. It should be stressed that this is only a partial list and if something interests you which does not appear on the list, do not rule it out. Keep it in mind and ask any faculty member about the possibility.

Central Ohio Mental Health Center 250 S. Henry Street 369-4482
clinical work with severely mentally ill adults; administrative work with directors
Conger Elementary School 10 Channing Street 833-1300
work with school psychologist
Delaware Area Recovery Resources, Inc. 118 Stover Drive 369-6811
prevention of drug and alcohol problems
Delaware County Health Department 109 N. Sandusky 368-1700
public health services
Delaware County Juvenile Court Sandusky and Central 833-2600
clinical and legal work with juvenile offenders
Ergon 106 Stover Drive 368-5820
vocational rehabilitation for those with physical and mental disabilities
Grady Memorial Hospital 461 W. Central Ave. 368-5183
human resources department
HelpLine, Inc. 11 N. Franklin 363-1835
telephone hotline and prevention services
Liebert Corporation 975 Pittsburgh Drive 363-3300
human resources department
Ohio Wesleyan Academic Skills Center 324 Corns Building 368-3925
assistance with study skill problems
Saperstein Associates 4555 N. High St., Columbus
market research (614) 261-0065
Schultz Elementary School 499 Applegate Ln. 833-1400
work with school guidance counselor
Turning Point Marion, OH (740) 382-8988
assist with domestic violence services
Willis Middle School 74 W. William 833-1700
work with school psychologist
Woodward Elementary School 200 W. Washington 833-1600
work in inclusion classroom

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Apprenticeship Opportunities in Psychology at Ohio Wesleyan University

Apprenticeship Opportunities in Psychology at
Ohio Wesleyan University