An APA Accredited Internship in School Psychology
offered by:
Human Development Center
School of Allied Health Professions
LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, LA

Presentation Summary 2002 NASP, Chicago

INTRODUCTION
The Louisiana School Psychology Internship Consortium (LAS*PIC) is an APA accredited internship. We invite applications from students who have completed their graduate coursework in school psychology. During the past 13 years, LAS*PIC has provided an authentic, school-based training experience for 112 interns. An internship experience is an essential and integral part of a training program. The relationship between the university training program and internship should be viewed as a complementary one. One of the most important decisions students will make is the selection of an internship site that best meets their professional goals and promotes their career development. As students contemplate this decision they will want to consider the site that will best prepare them for the events, conditions, and tasks they will encounter in professional settings. The internship should support development of skills for competent practice, involving a variety of professional experiences, a focus on collaborative problem solving, and continued professional development with a core internship curriculum. Additionally, the internship should provide expert advice and feedback, behavior-modeling opportunities, and congruence between what interns want and what they get in the supervisory relationship. The Louisiana School Psychology Internship Program (LAS*PIC) realizes that activities during an internship can shape the direction of a professional career and support a successful entry into specialization within the profession.

THE CONSORTIUM
The Louisiana School Psychology Internship Program (LAS*PIC) is a joint venture between the Human Development Center (HDC) of the Louisiana Medical Center, the Louisiana State Department of Education (SDE) and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). LAS*PIC is dedicated to providing vital experiences to help the intern become successful in their chosen profession. Utilizing both school-based and professional supervisors, the internship provides students with intensive supervision and comprehensive regular and special education program experiences with children across the age span.

2003 - 2004 LAS*PIC Interns

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHIES
LAS*PIC is committed to training professionals to develop their expertise in both psychology and education. The primary purpose of the internship program is to prepare school psychology interns with the adaptive skills and professional competence required for entry into the profession. LAS*PIC encourages a special sensitivity to the cultural diversities of all people and a respect for the uniqueness and human dignity of individuals. LAS*PIC is dedicated to professional practices that have been demonstrated as effective and socially valid, and to the pursuit of new knowledge through sound research practices. LAS*PIC is committed to evaluating interns' knowledge and skill, and their interpersonal skills and interactions. LAS*PIC adheres to the belief that ethical practice is the only acceptable approach to professional training and service delivery.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
LAS*PIC provides a differentiated professional experience within a network model of training involving a consortium of local agencies. This approach provides both structure and some individualization for interns with different backgrounds, training needs, and interests. The arrangement includes school-based placement with LEAs, and seminar instruction about professional issues. The LEAs provide competitive salaries and employee benefits to fully support interns.

ELECTIVE ROTATIONS
Interns select a special interest area for added training and my pursue activities within a school district or within a specialized service agency. Topics include, but are not limited to, infant and preschool early intervention, private practice, systems change, and in-service training skills.


Elective Rotation Examples


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
LAS*PIC realizes the importance of intern involvement in professional organizations. Interns have opportunities (as funding permits) to attend the National Association of School Psychologists Annual convention, the annual meeting of the Louisiana School Psychological Association, and other state sponsored professional continuing education activities. This is an excellent way to stay abreast of best practices, to network with colleagues, and to become involved in professional leadership opportunities.

Alumni Contacts

COMMITMENT TO INTERNS
LAS*PIC staff is dedicated to producing highly trained school psychologists through proactive development of knowledge and skills. The positive approach can be seen in the following policies and procedures.

LOCATION
The Louisiana School Psychology Internship Consortium (LAS*PIC) spans an eighty mile area, in and around New Orleans. The location can provide the intern with unique experiences and contact with stimulating cultures. The intern working in New Orleans or the surrounding communities can experience a variety of lifestyles and cultures from the beaches of the mid-Gulf Coast to the proud narrow streets of the French Quarter.

ADMISSION TO THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Interns will be accepted into the program on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, or handicap. Interns are selected based on their potential to benefit from the training program and their potential to contribute to the Program and to the field of School Psychology.

Applications are due by November 26, 2003 and screened applicants will be invited to interview in December and January. As APPIC members, LAS*PIC subscribes to the National Matching Service, which will publish matches of interns with training sites on February 23, 2004.

W. Alan Coulter, Ph.D.
Program Director for Interdisciplinary Training & Co-Director of LAS*PIC

Constance K. Patterson, Ph.D.
Co-Director of LAS*PIC

Human Development Center • Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
1100 Florida Ave. • Building 138 • New Orleans, LA • 70119-2799
(504)942-8204

Page last updated: 11/20/03 11:24 AM

Maintained by: mmiller@hdc.lsumc.edu
The statements found on this page are for informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate, for official information please consult a printed University publication.