Early Field Experience Information

PSY 4763 Early Field Experiences

All students must take either PSY 4953 Cooperative Education or PSY 4763 Early Field Experiences in Psychology.

• Either course may be repeated once for a total of 6 hours.  Please note that PSY 4763 and 4953 can only be counted towards one Advanced Psychology Elective.
• Both courses require students to make applications to these programs one semester BEFORE they plan to take these programs.  All placements are subject to the approval of the supervising professor.  Please click on the links below or see bulletin board on 7^th floor CFO for deadlines and information. 
• Each student will complete a minimum of 60 volunteer hours outside of class meetings at a psychologically-oriented agency. 

Steps to Successful Placement and Registration

YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BEFORE ENROLLING

PREREQUSITES:  PSY 1013, 1603, and 3513.

Step 1:  Look over the list of approved placement sites. This can be found on the 7^th floor of CFO in the display case outside CFO 701.

Step 2:  The semester prior to enrolling in PSY 4763: You must meet with the Early Field Coordinator, Lisa Hunter, and select an agency or agencies where you may wish to complete volunteer hours. YOU SHOULD START AT LEAST ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE (see below for deadlines).

• This meeting should occur in the beginning of the semester before you register for PSY 4763. 
• In your first meeting with Lisa Hunter, you will discuss your options for placement sites and will be given an appropriate contract for the agency or agencies you have chosen.

Many agencies have prepared contracts with standardized goals and activities statements.

Step 3:  Once you select an agency or agencies you are interested in pursuing, you should call each agency to make an appointment for an interview.

• Make sure to bring your contract to the interview.  You will be filling the contract out with your agency supervisor or the volunteer coordinator. 
• If the agency you have chosen does not have a prepared contract, you will be given a generic contract that you will fill out with your agency supervisor. 

Step 4:  Attend the interview.  The purpose of the interview is to visit the agency, to begin to get acquainted with the functioning of the agency, and to discuss placement and subsequent student career goals with the supervisor. 

Step 5:  If you choose to select that agency for your placement, you will fill out the contract with your supervisor. 

• You are expected to make a set schedule and adhere closely to the specific days and times you have agreed to be at the site.  You are expected to work approximately 3 to 4 hours per week during Fall or Spring semesters or 6 to 7 hours per week during Summer semester.  You must complete at least 60 hours over the course of a semester. 
• Once you have agreed on goals, activities, and schedule, both you and your supervisor will sign the contract.
• Make sure the name of your supervisor and the agency address and phone number is correct.

Step 6:  Determine from your supervisor when the agency orientation/training will occur.  Most sites have mandatory orientations that you must attend before starting.  Be sure to attend this orientation before the first class meeting.

Step 7:  Turn in your completed contract to Lisa Hunter before the deadline: 

SEMESTER:                       DEADLINE:                       

Summer                                 April 15^th

Fall                                        April 15^th

Spring                                    November 15^th

If you have turned in your contract by the deadline, you will be e-mailed the course code in order to register for the course via the Express Registration area of Portal.

Questions?  Contact Lisa Hunter at lhunter1@twu.edu