Psychology Internships & Postdoctoral Fellowships Guide 2024

What’s in this guide?

By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer

Our career guides are produced by staff writers in conjunction with our expert career coaches.

Psychology internships and postdoctoral fellowships are supervised training experiences that provide psychology graduates with the opportunity to gain practical experience and further develop their clinical and research skills.

What is a Psychology Internship?

A psychology internship is typically completed after a student has completed their graduate program in psychology and is often a requirement for licensure as a psychologist. Internships are typically full-time and last for one year.

Interns work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practices, and are supervised by a licensed psychologist or similar mental health professional. The focus of the internship is on providing advanced clinical experience and developing specialized skills in a particular area of psychology.

Interns also have the opportunity to work with a range of other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and other psychologists, and to develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of mental health care.

The specific focus of a psychology internship can vary depending on the setting and the goals of the program. For example, some internships may focus on working with children or adolescents, while others may focus on working with patients who have severe mental illnesses.

What is a Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship?

Postdoctoral fellowships, on the other hand, are typically completed after a student has completed their doctoral degree in psychology. Postdocs are typically one to two years in length and provide advanced training in a specific area of psychology.

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, students who completed a postdoctoral fellowship were more likely to secure a tenure-track position than those who did not participate in a fellowship.

Fellowships can be split into two main categories; research postdocs and practice postdocs.

The main difference between a psychology research postdoctoral fellowship and a psychology clinical postdoctoral fellowship is the focus of the training experience.

A research postdoctoral fellowship is typically focused on providing advanced research training in a specific area of psychology, such as cognitive or behavioral neuroscience, social psychology, or clinical psychology research. Postdoctoral fellows in research-focused fellowships typically work under the supervision of a senior researcher or mentor, and are responsible for conducting research studies, analyzing data, and writing up research findings for publication in academic journals.

The goal of a research postdoc is to provide advanced training in research methods and to help prepare fellows for careers as researchers and academics.

“Postdoctoral fellowships provide the opportunity for early career psychologists to further specialize their clinical and research training in a way that is typically not possible in graduate school. By working alongside seasoned professionals, fellows can hone their skills and gain valuable experience that will help them stand out in the job market. Additionally, fellowships offer the chance to conduct cutting-edge research and develop a professional network that can be invaluable throughout one’s career.”
Dr Mitch Prinstein, University of North Carolina

In contrast, a psychology clinical postdoctoral fellowship is typically focused on providing advanced clinical training in a specific area of psychology, such as psychotherapy, neuropsychology, or forensic psychology. Postdoctoral fellows in clinical-focused fellowships typically work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or other mental health professional, and are responsible for providing clinical services to clients or patients, such as therapy or assessment. The goal of a clinical postdoc is to provide advanced training in clinical skills and to help prepare fellows for careers as licensed psychologists or other mental health professionals.

It’s important to note that there can be some overlap between research and clinical postdoctoral fellowships, and some fellowships may provide training in both research and clinical skills.

Internship vs Postdoc

“Postdoctoral fellowships typically offer more flexibility and independence than internships. While internships are designed to provide broad-based training in multiple areas, fellowships are focused on developing specialized skills and expertise in a particular area of practice or research. Additionally, fellowships are usually longer than internships, lasting anywhere from one to three years, and offer more opportunities for research and professional development. Overall, both internships and fellowships are valuable training experiences, but they serve different purposes and offer different benefits to early career psychologists.”
Dr. Rodney L. Lowman, Alliant International University

Another difference between internships and postdoctoral fellowships is the level of compensation. While some internships may provide a stipend or other form of compensation, postdoctoral fellowships are typically paid positions, with a salary and benefits package.

What do you do in a psychology internship?

The focus of the psychology internship is on providing advanced clinical experience and developing specialized skills in a particular area of psychology.

Specific duties and responsibilities during a psychology internship may include:

  1. Conducting intake assessments and diagnostic interviews with clients/patients
  2. Developing treatment plans and providing individual or group therapy to clients/patients
  3. Conducting psychological testing and interpreting results
  4. Participating in case conferences and other team meetings
  5. Writing progress notes and other clinical documentation
  6. Providing crisis intervention and other emergency services
  7. Collaborating with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and other psychologists.

What do you do in a postdoctoral fellowship?

During a psychology postdoctoral fellowship, fellows typically work under the supervision of a senior researcher or mentor, and are responsible for conducting research studies, analyzing data, and writing up research findings for publication in academic journals. Alternatively, fellows in a clinical postdoctoral fellowship may provide advanced clinical services, such as psychotherapy or assessment, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Specific duties and responsibilities during a psychology postdoctoral research fellowship may include:

  1. Conducting literature reviews and designing research studies
  2. Collecting and analyzing data using advanced research methods and statistical analyses
  3. Writing research proposals and grant applications
  4. Writing manuscripts for publication in academic journals
  5. Presenting research findings at conferences and other professional events
  6. Developing and implementing clinical interventions for patients or clients
  7. Providing supervision and training to graduate students or other professionals

Specific duties and responsibilities during a psychology clinical postdoctoral fellowship may include:

  1. Conducting assessments and developing treatment plans for clients/patients
  2. Providing individual or group psychotherapy to clients/patients
  3. Providing clinical supervision to graduate students or other professionals
  4. Participating in case conferences and other team meetings
  5. Providing crisis intervention and other emergency services
  6. Conducting psychological testing and interpreting results
  7. Collaborating with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and other psychologists.

Do you get paid for internships and fellowships?

Many psychology internships are unpaid, particularly those offered by non-profit organizations or government agencies. However, some internships offered by private practices or hospitals may provide a stipend or other form of compensation/expense reimbursement.

Psychology postdoctoral fellowships, on the other hand, are typically paid positions, with a salary and benefits package.

How do you find internships and fellowships?