Successful Internship Requirements

The South Dakota Psychology Internship Consortium (SD-PIC) requires that interns demonstrate minimum levels of achievement (MLA) across all nine APA profession-wide competencies, as measured by the SD-PIC Intern Evaluation. Informal feedback to interns should be ongoing throughout the training year, with any concerns discussed early and often. Interns are formally evaluated by their primary supervisor three times annually, at the 3-month, 7-month, and 12-month mark. Evaluations are conducted using a standard rating form using a Likert Scale that includes comment spaces where supervisors include specific written feedback regarding the interns’ performance and progress. The evaluation form includes information about performance in all nine profession-wide competencies and associated learning elements. Supervisors are expected to review these evaluations with the interns and provide an opportunity for discussion if the intern has questions or concerns about the feedback. Upon completion of the review both the intern and supervisor sign the evaluation. The intern receives one copy, and another copy is provided to the Training Director(s), who places the form in the intern file, where it is maintained indefinitely. Additionally, a copy is provided to the Director of Clinical Training (DCT) at the intern’s graduate program.

The minimum level of achievement (MLA) on all nine profession-wide competencies assessed by the intern evaluation increases over the course of the year to reflect expected growth in competence. The MLA for each of the three (3) evaluations is as follows:

• 3-month evaluation: “2” (Beginning)
• 7-month evaluation: “2” (Beginning)
• 12-month evaluation: “3” (Intermediate)

If an intern receives a score lower than the MLA at any evaluation point, or if supervisors have reason to be concerned about the intern’s performance or progress, the consortium’s Due Process procedures may be initiated. The Due Process guidelines can be found in the SD-PIC Intern Handbook.

In addition to the evaluations described above, interns must complete a self-evaluation form at the beginning and end of the internship. This evaluation form is the same one used by supervisors. Interns must complete an evaluation of their supervisor at 3-months, 7-months, and 12-months and a program evaluation at the end of the training year. Interns are also required to submit evaluations for each didactic session during the year. These evaluations are essential in providing feedback that informs any changes or improvements in the training program. All evaluation forms can be located in the SD-PIC Intern Handbook.