Psychology Doctoral Internship Program in Health Service Psychology

There are several important eligibility requirements for participating in Psychology Training in the VA. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the document linked here prior to applying.  The document provides specific information regarding eligibility requirements and information regarding the process of being appointed to a VA position following the selection process.

Link to Eligibility Requirements

Internship applicants also must meet these criteria to be considered for any VA Psychology Internship Program:

1. Doctoral student in good standing at an American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited graduate program in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined psychology or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) accredited program in Clinical Science. Persons with a doctorate in another area of psychology who meet the APA or CPA criteria for respecialization training in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined Psychology are also eligible. 
2. Approved for internship status by graduate program training director.

Postdoctoral fellowship applicants also must meet the following criteria to be considered for any VA Psychology Postdoctoral Program:

1. Have received a doctorate from an APA or CPA accredited graduate program in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined Psychology or PCSAS accredited Clinical Science program. Persons with a doctorate in another area of psychology who meet the APA or CPA criteria for respecialization training in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined Psychology are also eligible.
2. Have completed an internship program accredited by APA or CPA or have completed a VA-sponsored internship. In lieu of having the doctoral degree conferred, it is acceptable to have the Director of Clinical Training verify that ALL degree requirements for the completion of the degree have been completed.  This verification letter must be on the University’s letterhead.  The verification that all degree requirements have been met is meant to denote that there are no additional tasks for the student to complete prior to the degree being conferred (e.g., the student has completed any final revision that must be made to the dissertation and the dissertation has been accepted by the graduate program and graduate school).

To be eligible for employment as a VA Psychologist, a person must be a U.S. citizen and must have completed an APA, or CPA accredited graduate program in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined psychology or PCSAS accredited Clinical Science program AND must have completed an APA or CPA accredited internship in Psychology, with the emphasis area of the degree consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. The only exception is for those who complete a new VA internship that is not yet accredited.