One unique and distinctive offering of the Altoona Psychology program is our Psychology Field Experience course. The Psychology Field Experience (PSYCH 295) is intended for students who are interested in getting their first exposure to a professional work setting related to psychology. Students will assist a professional to gain insight and experience they will reflect on and relate to an academic focus. The experience is intended for students early in their degree progress, who may use the experience to clarify long-term interests. Thus, it’s really only appropriate for sophomore (or possibly junior) students.
In order to qualify for the course, students must have earned at least a C in PSYCH 100 and either PSYCH 270 (for a clinical psychology field experience) or PSYCH 212 (for a developmental psychology field experience).
PSYCH 295 is available only as a three-credit course. Students are limited to taking one PSYCH 295 course in their academic career. The course will count towards elective credits.
Interested and qualified students should first discuss their interest with a psychology faculty member, then complete the field experience application and submit it electronically no later than the tenth week of the regular semester preceding the anticipated field experience semester. For instance, for a fall field experience, students should aim to submit an application by March 15. For a spring field experience, students should submit an application in that previous fall semester by October 15. Opportunities are limited and will vary by semester. Submission of the application does not guarantee acceptance.
