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Gain Real-World Experience

Take your education beyond the classroom with field experience—a valuable opportunity to build professional skills, expand your network, and prepare for your career after Â鶹´«Ã½. By participating in field experience during your undergraduate studies, you’ll gain hands-on experience in your chosen field, connect with industry professionals, and secure strong letters of recommendation that can set you apart in graduate school applications or job searches.

Our field experience course requires that you seek out and complete an internship-like experience in a professional setting for the course, PSY 491. Successful completion of this course is defined by satisfactory performance of the total number of course hours (135 hours). As you move through your field experience, you will submit a couple documents each month that include a brief, general update and a record of your hours completed for the month. At the end of your semester, your supervisor (at the professional site) will need to sign a form indicating that you have successfully completed your hours with appropriate professional conduct. 

Field Experience Resources

Below, you will find a list of opportunities to achieve your field experience requirement.

• A Woman's Place

   

  E-Mail: alysia@awpdv.org

   

  As an intern, you will gain valuable experience in victim advocacy, including developing skills in de-escalation and crisis intervention. Following comprehensive training, you will handle calls on our crisis line, conduct screenings and intakes for new clients, and provide ongoing support through daily check-ins with residents. 
• Center for Autism and Related Disorders

  E-Mail:  n.arrache@centerforautism.com

   

  At CARD, students will he the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with autistic individuals in a supportive, dynamic environment where learning is prioritized.  During your clinical hours, you'll be actively involved in patient care, collaborating with an experienced team to enhance your clinical skills, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities. From observing and assisting in assessments and treatments to engaging with patients and their families, you'll have the chance to grow professionally while gaining a deep understanding of the healthcare field. This is a unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios, setting you up for success in your career. 
• Child Safe

  E-Mail:  sengler@childsafecolorado.org

   

  ChildSafe Colorado provides outpatient therapy to survivors of childhood abuse, primarily childhood sexual abuse. We serve all ages, in a variety of modalities. We offer play therapy, sand tray, art therapy, Neurofeedback, EMDR, Brain Mapping, individual, family, and group therapy. Our undergraduate interns assist with administrative tasks, work with staff at the front desk, and provide childcare as needed.
• Family Support Center-Specialized Autism Services 

  E-Mail: msmith@fscautism.com

   

  At Family Support Center, we provide services to children with autism spectrum disorders, and similar conditions (ADHD, ID, etc). Our primary service is ABA therapy, and at some of our centers we also provide occupational therapy and speech therapy. When you work at the Family Support Center, we offer paid training for you to become an RBT (registered behavior technician). This includes completing a 40-hour virtual online education course, 3-4 weeks of ongoing instruction with our trainers, and passing the RBT exam. You will work 1:1 with clients aged 2-18 to provide ABA therapy under the direction of a Clinical Supervisor (BCBA, BCaBA, QASP-S). We also have a great pathway for RBT’s who are interested in getting their graduate degrees and becoming a BCBA/Clinical Supervisor with us. We take a naturalistic approaching to teaching, helping kids to learn while they play or are involved in normal day to day activities, and that we help them to be happy, relaxed, and engaged for optimal learning!
• Lutheran Family Services

  E-Mail:  tammy.fisher@lfsrm.org

   

  Interning at CareHouse Supervised Family Time and Safe Exchange Center as a college student offers a valuable and rewarding opportunity to support families in need. CareHouse is respected organization that provides a safe environment for children and families facing tough situations including but not limited to: divorce, substance abuse, mental illness, and/or domestic violence.  It allows interns to gain hands on experience, develop crucial skills and help vulnerable populations.  One reason to consider interning at CareHouse is the chance to apply classroom knowledge in real world settings.  Working with families and children under supervision helps interns enhance communication, problem solving, and decision-making skills, preparing them for future careers in social work or counseling.  Moreover, interning at CareHouse helps students cultivate empathy, compassion, and cultural understanding through interaction with diverse families.  It also provides networking opportunities with professionals in the field, expanding skill sets, and improving resumes.  This experience can make a positive impact on both personal and professional growth for students in a competitive job market.
• Colorado Judicial Branch (Courts and Probation) 

  Email: Cori Buggeln and Nichole Tuttle

   

  Our Volunteer/Deputy Probation Officer's (DPOs) are introduced to all duties of a probation officer excluding Home Visits. As part of the internship DPOs will write legal reports such as warrants, summons, terminations and extensions. There are opportunities to shadow Probation Officers in different caseloads to include visiting the jail and observing court proceedings. This allows for a well-rounded view of the probation client population.

  DPOs receive their own small caseload of low-risk clients to supervise which may involve conducting face to face appointments, tracking compliance with court orders and providing resources and referrals.

   

  Additional training and networking opportunities will be provided as well as participation in coaching and feedback and assistance in resume and interview readiness.
• Alternative Homes for Youth 

  Email: Emily Griffith

   

  It is our mission at Alternative Homes for Youth (AHFY) to teach, support, and model healthy life skills to youth and families by providing therapeutic and educational interventions to end violence. Alternative Homes for Youth (AHFY) specializes in transforming the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse in the lives of children. Our commitment is to respond to the needs of the community and our clients by integrating current research to create individualized treatment plans and multi-modal treatment approaches which are adaptive, vital, and effective. Alternative Homes for Youth is a non-profit residential facility for at-risk adolescent males ages 15-20. Every undergraduate Intern will be given the opportunity to observe the 2nd Shift/Milieu shift groups while interning at Alternative Homes for Youth. This includes observing the clientele’s routines, behaviors, responses to expectations/authority and ways of enforcing safety in programing. They will shadow direct care staff members, also known as a Behavioral Health Specialists (BHS), each shift. By witnessing trained BHS, everyone will ideally learn their style of approaching youth, ways of motivating change, creating healthy relationships and absorbing de-escalation techniques. All will be encouraged to create healthy relationships with the youth but will only be responsible for observing the program and only contributing to responsibilities when asked by trained staff, due to not having the training required. If anyone would like to contribute in any way that is new to programming or outside of request, it will be discussed and agreed upon with the supervisor. Additionally, all accepted Interns will be offered all trainings that internal employees are and is requested that they attend any meetings/collaborations to enrich their understanding of residential treatment further.
• BOCES Program 

  Email: Jocelyn Aldridge

   

  Centennial BOCES serves students with disabilities in the rural school districts surrounding the Greeley area.  We have school psychologists who consider the cognitive profile and learning needs for students.  We have school social workers who serve as a parent liaison for families to provide resources and support along with direct services to students with social emotional needs.  We also have teachers who serve the most impacted children with autism and behavioral regulation needs.  Interns can choose their area of interest and work with one of the professionals and work with students in the school system. 
• Union Colony Schools

  Email: Kristi Dahlstorm

   

  Students will have the opportunity to work with a variety of ages (we have 6th-12th grade in this building). There are opportunities to work with students on both a social and emotional level as well as provide academic support. Education encompasses so many varied needs and goals.  My goal is to tailor the field experience to match the student's future career goals. 
• Weld County Area Agency of Aging  

   

  Email: Meredith Skoglund

   

  Dedicate your time and talent to the Weld County Area Agency on Aging (AAA), where you’ll gain hands-on experience in both internal and external programs that directly impact the lives of older adults and their caregivers. As an intern, you’ll be involved in a variety of services that make a meaningful difference in the community, including the Aging and Disability Resources of Colorado, voucher programs for dental, vision, and hearing, caregiver respite, in-home services, and chore program. A key highlight of your experience will be helping with the Friendly Fork Congregate Meal program, which provides well-balanced meals at 22 meal sites throughout the county. Participants not only enjoy nutritious meals with friends and family but also have access to nutrition education and one-on-one consultations with a registered dietitian. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend the Weld Aging Well Program, which offers innovative workshops and classes designed to support the health and independence of older adults and their caregivers by providing tools to better manage their health. Working alongside public and private partners, you’ll help advocate, educate, and plan services that support Weld County’s aging population. This is your chance to contribute to vital programs, develop your professional skills, and leave a lasting impact on the older adult community!
• North Range Behavioral Health 

  Email: Courtney Schaper

   

  At North Range Behavioral Health, we believe in the power of hope and the possibility of change. Our mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those facing mental health and addiction challenges. We are committed to helping you grow professionally and personally in a supportive and collaborative environment.

   

  As a Bachelor level intern, you’ll be immersed in an outpatient setting, where your role will be pivotal. Your responsibilities may include:

  -Hands-on Training: Gain practical experience in assessment, crisis intervention, and therapy, including individual, family, and group sessions.

  - Service Plan Development: Contribute to creating and monitoring service plans, documenting client interactions, and maintaining electronic clinical records.

  - Team Collaboration: Work alongside a multi-disciplinary team, including psychiatry professionals, to deliver integrated care.

  - Coordination: Learn to coordinate with both internal and external services to ensure comprehensive support for our clients.

   

  Why Choose Us:

  At North Range Behavioral Health, we offer more than just an internship; we provide a pathway to professional growth. You’ll benefit from:

  - Cutting-Edge Training: Access to the latest tools and thoughtful supervision to enhance your skills.

  - Supportive Environment: Work in a collaborative setting that values your contributions and fosters your development.

   

  Our Core Values:

  - Customer First: We are dedicated to helping our clients achieve their recovery every day.

  - Compassion: We treat everyone with kindness, empathy, and respect.

  - Collaboration: We build strong relationships to ensure effective care for our clients