By Bridgette Colwell, Summer 2009
As students, we frequently hear about the various kinds of internships—APA, APPIC, and CAPIC. So what are the differences? Is one really better than the others?
APA internships are considered the gold standard in psychology. They are competitive, give stipends, and most importantly, are recognized nationally and in all subfields of clinical psychology. In addition, some agencies require an APA internship in order to work there. For example, obtaining a position at the VA requires an APA internship.
APPIC is the agency that runs the APPIC match (of which APA internships are generally part of). APPIC internships are simply internships that participate in the APPIC matching process. However, because the APPIC match is national, APPIC internships are well-known, and may be seen as preferential to CAPIC internships in some states.
CAPIC internships are a collection of internships in California. Thus, they may or may not be recognized nationally. This depends on each state’s licensing policies and an agency’s requirements. CAPIC internships also do not always offer stipends. However, if you plan to practice in California, CAPIC internships are recognized and generally respected. In addition, if you are looking for a part-time internship, CAPIC offers many of these—something that is rare within APA and APPIC internships.
The choice to complete an APA, APPIC, or CAPIC internship lies with each individual. There are pros and cons for each type of internship, and your career goals will help you decide which works best for you.
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