The Michigan State University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers training to graduate students in counseling, social work, and related mental health programs. Commitments and arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis. The following characteristics of our program make this training experience unique:
The CAPS Training Program embraces a philosophy of experiential learning and training that emphasizes practical experience and clinical supervision. As a result of completing this internship, trainees will display awareness, knowledge, and skills related to individual treatment, outreach, and group psychotherapy. Attention to professional development, ethical conduct, and multicultural competence is infused throughout training.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and interviews will begin in late February. Trainee selections will be made by early April. However, if you have special circumstances that necessitate a review of your application within a specific time frame, we will try to accommodate your request. If you are applying for a master’s level practicum or internship in psychology for the 2027-2028 training year, please submit your application by January 1st, 2027.
Required application materials include:
Applications must be emailed to Mollie Delzeith, MA, LPC, master's internship and practicum coordinator, at delzeith@msu.edu.
Selection decisions are based on the center’s available resources (i.e., supervisors, space) and the degree to which our training program has the capacity to meet the needs of the applicant. Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to the population we serve (i.e., diverse young adults) are preferred. All trainees offered a position must pass a background check (MSU pays this cost) prior to beginning training.
To aid in protecting privacy and minimizing potential conflict of interest for those who train at CAPS, applicants to our training program must not have received clinical services from MSU CAPS within 3 years from date of application. Triage/initial consultations and referral coordination appointments are not considered clinical services affecting eligibility.
The MSU CAPS internship or practicum weekly schedule will consist of 20–24 hours and should include the following components:
The MSU CAPS Training Program attempts to provide a balance of challenge and support. You will meet weekly with an individual clinical supervisor, who may be a senior staff member, or a full-time doctoral health service psychology intern. Your supervision is closely monitored by the Training Coordinator and Training Director. Formative and summative evaluation points are built into the training program.
Trainees are required to record all of their clinical sessions. Therefore, you will only be assigned clients who consent to a recording of their sessions. The recording is necessary to facilitate supervision and ensure high-quality services. The more you review your own sessions and use them in supervision, the more you will grow as a clinician.
You are expected to behave professionally and ethically at all times. It is expected that you will abide by the code put forward by your professional group (e.g., ACA, APA, or NASW) and adhere to the policies and procedures of the center.