Field Experience
In the Psychology Department, students completing psychology-related experiences in the community (such as employment, an internship, or a volunteer opportunity) can choose to enroll in the course Field Experience (PSYC 497). Any experience connected to psychology is eligible, including working in a facility that supports adults and children with disabilities, participating in after-school tutoring, youth coaching, interning with a human resources office in a local company, and serving as a research associate for a hospital or medical school.
While earning course credit, these experiences afford you the ability to develop applied psychology skills, build your resume, and explore different career options in psychology, which will be helpful as you apply to graduate schools or begin your career after graduation.
PSYC 497 is one of several “Capstone” courses offered to psychology majors in which completing 4 credits fulfills a requirement in the Major Restricted Electives.
Psychology professor Dr. Eric Sprankle serves the department as the Field Experience Coordinator, and questions about PSYC 497 can be directed to him.
If you are interested in completing a field experience, here are the steps you should take:
- If you already have a psychology-related job, internship, or volunteer position, please email Dr. Sprankle a brief description of it along with the name of your supervisor. If you don’t already have a position, please refer to the directory below to explore some options.
- Once the position is verified by Dr. Sprankle, he will send you the field experience agreement form to complete with your supervisor. The form outlines your responsibilities during the field experience and the estimated working hours and desired number of credits.
- After the form is signed by your supervisor and returned to Dr. Sprankle, permission will be entered into e-services allowing you to register for PSYC 497. You can register for 1 to 8 credits, with each credit equaling 25 hours of work at the location over the course of the semester (e.g., 100 hours worked between late August and early December makes you eligible to register for 4 credits during fall semester).
Field Experience Opportunities
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Location: Minneapolis
Tasks: Various research opportunities within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences under the direction of psychologists who are a part of the Clinician Investigator Team. Focus of the research is varied and dependent on the specific psychologist supervisor, but may include PTSD, mood disorders, or substance use disorders involving patient interviews, neurological imaging, and treatment evaluation.
Contact: Interested students should prepare a cover letter detailing relevant coursework, experience, and goals for the research experience along with a resume. Please email Dr. Sprankle expressing your interest for further contact information.
Notes: US citizenship required. Onboarding takes around three months that includes background checks, fingerprinting, and occupational health screening. Students are expected to devote a minimum of a year and a minimum of 8 hours per week.
Fraser
Locations: Facilities exist in Mankato and throughout the Twin Cities
Tasks: Expand on knowledge and skills with applied behavior analysis for children and families with autism spectrum disorders; learn how to implement and assess individual transition plans and behavioral intervention plans.
Contact: Interested students should search and apply for employment.
Notes: This is an employment-only and not a volunteer position. Students may be expected to work longer than just a semester even if they are receiving course credit for only one semester.
Mayo Clinic – Department of Neurologic Surgery
Location: Rochester
Tasks: In an applied computational neuroscience and neuromodulation lab, learn pre-clinical routine and procedures for experiments; learn new laboratory techniques for animal research, including stereotaxic surgery, animal behavior, and histology.
Research Faculty: Dr. Luis Lujan, PH.D,. M.S.
Contact: Interested students should prepare a resume or CV and a letter of interest. Please email Dr. Sprankle expressing your interest for further contact information.
Notes: This is a research-only experience. There is no clinical work involved other than the possibility of interviewing patients during data collection. Opportunities can be semester-long or longer depending on the needs of the student and faculty researchers.
Northway Academy
Location: Mankato and other cities throughout Minnesota
Tasks: Provide ABA interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities.
Contact: Interested students should search and apply for employment.
Notes: This is an employment-only and not a volunteer position. Students may be expected to work longer than just a semester even if they are receiving course credit for only one semester.
ACES Child Care Program
Location: Mankato Area Public Schools
Tasks: Assist with childcare programs of small groups of elementary-aged students. Responsibilities may include general supervision of children during group tasks or may involve more one-on-one services with students on behavior intervention plans.
Contact: Interested students should search and apply for employment.
Notes: This is an employment-only and not a volunteer position. Students may be expected to work longer than just a semester even if they are receiving course credit for only one semester.
University of Minnesota Medical School – Institute for Sexual and Gender Health
Location: Minneapolis (remote work a possibility)
Tasks: Literature reviews, data collection, organizing, and analysis, typically within the areas of compulsive sexual behavior, HIV prevention, or sexual dysfunction.
Contact: Interested students should prepare a resume or CV and a letter of interest discussing which research projects appeal the most. Please email Dr. Sprankle expressing your interest for further contact information.
Notes: This is a research-only experience. There is no clinical work involved other than the possibility of interviewing patients during data collection. Opportunities can be semester-long or longer depending on the needs of the student and faculty researchers.
Minnesota Department of Human Services – Executive Pathways Internship
Location: Various locations throughout Minnesota including telework
Tasks: Assist with public policy administrative tasks as it relates to the various duties of the Department of Human Services, which may include data analysis, budgeting, community engagement, and human resources.
Contact: Interested students should search and apply for employment at the website listed above. Questions about the internship can be directed to dhs.internships@state.mn.us
Notes: This is a summer internship only, requiring 30-40 hours per week from May to August. Applications open in mid-February, and positions are typically filled by March. Students must be residing in Minnesota during the summer (even for telework) and must undergo a background check prior to starting.
Mankato YWCA and YMCA
Location: Mankato
Tasks: Various opportunities within numerous community programs, primarily serving youth through mentorship and leadership development.
Contact: Interested students should search and apply for volunteer positions for the YWCA or the YMCA
Notes: These are volunteer-only positions.
The university also provides resources like MSU Community Engagement and Handshake to help you explore volunteer and employment opportunities in Mankato and the surrounding areas.
