Internship Admissions, Support, and Initial Placement Data

Program Disclosures

Does the program or institution require students, trainees, and/or staff (faculty) to comply with specific policies or practices related to the institution’s affiliation or purpose? Such policies or practices may include, but are not limited to, admissions, hiring, retention policies, and/or requirements for completion that express mission and values. No

Does the program require that applicants have received a minimum number of hours of the following at time of application? If Yes, indicate how many:

Total Direct Contact Intervention Hours: Yes  Amount: 500

Total Direct Contact Assessment Hours: No

Additional Requirements to Apply

  • Successfully completed all required course work in an APA-accredited Counseling or Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program by the internship start date.
  • Successfully completed comprehensive examinations by the early November application deadline.
  • Successfully completed at least two, preferably three supervised practicum experiences (in conjunction with their doctoral program in Counseling or Clinical Psychology) by the internship start date.
  • Successfully completed 500 face-to-face clinical intervention hours by the application date, including individual or group therapy, crisis intervention and assessment experience.
  • Successfully defended dissertation proposal by the ranking deadline.

Application Process

We utilize the uniform psychology internship application (AAPI Online) developed by The Association of Postdoctoral and Psychology Internship Centers (APPIC). To locate the AAPI Online, visit the APPIC website. As a member of APPIC, we also participate in the computer matching process for the selection of our Psychology Interns. Find information on the APPIC National Matching Process and the details regarding registration procedures.

Deadline for applications for the 2023-2024 training year is Monday, November 6, 2023. 

APPIC Application for Psychology Internships (AAPI). In order for us to receive your application, you will need to select the University of Southern California, Counseling and Mental Health as a “designated” site. There you can also select which track or tracks you would like to apply for.

USC’S MATCH Numbers:

  • 113611 Generalist Track
  • The online AAPI application should include your cover letter in which you discuss your goals, interests and experiences and why you think you would be a good match for our Center. Please also indicate which track(s) you are applying for.
  • Vita
  • Official copy of graduate transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation. At least two from former or current clinical supervisors who have direct knowledge of your clinical skills.

The cover letter as well as the letters of recommendation should be addressed to:

Yoey Cheng, Psy.D.
Assistant Director/Training Director
Engemann Student Health Center: Counseling and Mental Health
1031 West 34th Street, Suite 304
Los Angeles, California 90089-3261

Interview Process

We anticipate contacting candidates no later than 12/15/23 about interview offers via email. To address the economic burden of traveling expenses and the current COVID-19 pandemic, no in-person interviews are offered. Candidates will be invited to interview via zoom. Interviews are one hour long typically with 3-4 staff (staff members, an intern and the training director). Zoom interviews will be offered in December and January. One Open House will be offered at the end of January to allow candidates to meet with staff, dates to be announced on our website and/or via email to applicants, <https://sites.usc.edu/cmhtraining/>. Requests for personal visits will be referred to the Open House.

Matched interns must successfully complete and pass the university-mandated background screening and clearance before official hire.

This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC Policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.

Financial and Other Benefit Support for Upcoming Training Year 
Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Interns $48,484
Annual Stipend/Salary for Half-time Interns N/A
Program provides access to medical insurance for intern? Yes
If access to medical insurance is provided:
Trainee contribution to cost required? Yes
Coverage of family member(s) available? Yes
Coverage of legally married partner available? Yes
Coverage of domestic partner available? Yes
Hours of Annual Paid Personal Time Off (PTO and/or Vacation) 96 Days
Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave 96 Days
In the event of medical conditions and/or family needs that require extended leave, does the program allow reasonable unpaid leave to interns/residents in excess of personal time off and sick leave? Yes
Other Benefits: University Holidays (~10-14 days)*; $500 continuing education monies;  40 hours for professional development*; Discounts through the USC Ticket Office; membership eligibility for the USC Credit Union; Bookstore and pharmacy (non-prescriptions) discount; On-site continuing education; Library Privileges

* Interns typically use at least 40 hours of their accrued leave time during the last week of internship. Interns need to be mindful of how they use of their days may affect total hours accrued.
Initial Post-Internship Positions
(Provide an Aggregated Tally for the Preceding 3 Cohorts)
2018-2021
Total # of interns who were in the 3 cohorts 11
Total # of interns who remain in training in the internship program 0
PD EP
Academic teaching 0 0
Community mental health center 1 0
Consortium 0 0
University counseling center 7 0
Hospital/Medical Center 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System 0 0
Psychiatric facility 0 0
Correctional facility 0 0
Health maintenance organization 0 0
School district/system 0 0
Independent practice setting 0 3
Other 0 0
Note: “PD” = post-doctoral residency position; “EP” = Employed Position. Each individual represented in this table should be counted only one time. For former trainees working in more than one setting, select the setting that represents their primary position.