Stipend

The 2010-2011 stipend will be at least $25,000 pending budgetary approval. Each intern is formally titled "Psychology Intern." The 12-month contract period is from August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011. Intern positions are full-time, 40 hours per week, and carry with them the benefits listed below.

 

Benefits

Vacation

Vacation leave is accrued at the rate of seven hours per month, resulting in slightly more than a two week annual vacation. Vacation hours may be used after six months. The Director of Training must be consulted before leave is taken.

 

Sick leave

Sick leave is accrued at the rate of eight hours per month, resulting in 12 sick days during the internship. Sick leave may be used as it is accrued. Interns have several University-designated holidays, most of which are clustered around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays.

 

Professional leave

Professional leave is provided for interns to attend conventions, workshops, job interviews, or other appropriate professional development activities. The Director of Training must be consulted before leave is taken.

 

Conference registration

Each intern is allocated $100 per year to use for professional conference and workshop registration. In addition, all interns attend the Texas Counseling Center Psychology Intern Conference. This conference is held on a rotating basis at one of the seven Texas Counseling Center internship sites. The conference allows for networking and usually has presentations in the following areas:
          Types of Employment for Psychologists
          Presentation of licensure process in Texas (both the EPPP and the jurisprudence)
          Presentation of a Mock Oral Exam (which is required in Texas for licensure)

Insurance allocation

As Texas state employees, current interns receive from $2215 to $4585 annually (depending on the insurance plan chosen by the intern), which covers medical benefits. Several other insurance programs are available, including dental, life, dependent life, and disability. Interns become eligible for insurance 90 days after the start of employment.
Personal counseling is available to interns from local practitioners at a reduced rate. Interns are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity as needed.

 

Income tax

There is currently no state or city income tax in Texas.

 

Retirement plan

As one-year employees of the state of Texas, interns are required to participate in a retirement plan by contributing 6.4 percent of their monthly salary. Money contributed, together with the interest earned, is available to interns upon completion of the internship. In practice, this "retirement plan" is a savings account.

 

Summary

Total financial reimbursement and time off with pay are summarized below.

Salary: $25,000
Insurance Allocation:  $2,215 to $4,585
Conference Registration:  $100
TOTAL: $27,315 to $29,685
Vacation: 10.5 days
Sick Leave:  12.0 days
Holidays: 12.0 days (approx.)
Professional Leave:  variable