At a time when the competition for clinical psychology
internships is becoming increasingly competitive, St. John’s
doctoral students in the Clinical
Psychology Program have scored a perfect “10” -- or actually a
perfect “12” -- as all 12 students who applied obtained high
quality internship positions in major medical centers and
affiliated schools for 2005-2006. They will spend a year in an
intensive training experience in a clinical setting, which is
similar to a medical internship.
The 12 St. John’s students will intern at Mount Sinai
Services/Elmhurst Hospital, Nassau University Medical Center (2),
Albert Einstein College/Montefiore Medical Center, Pilgrim
Psychiatric Center, Association for the Help of Retarded Children,
Indiana University School of Medicine, Creedmoor Psychiatric
Center, Long Island Jewish/Zucker-Hillside Hospital, Robert Wood
Johnson Medical Center, Village for Family and Children and
MercyFirst.
Students from more than 150 clinical psychology programs compete
nationally for internship positions through the national internship
matching program. This is the second consecutive year that 100
percent of the St. John’s students who applied were placed in
approved internship settings. The national average hovers around 85
percent.
The doctoral program, which was accredited in 1984 and has been
successful in each subsequent review, is one of several Programs of
Distinction at St. John’s University.
Professor Jeffrey Nevid, Director of Clinical Psychology,
described it as “a well respected clinical psychology program with
national visibility. We’re able to recruit outstanding students
from all parts of the United States. We can be highly selective due
to the quality of our training program and the opportunities for
placement that we’re able to offer students in some of the leading
facilities in the metropolitan area. Our full fledged training
center [Center for
Psychological Services and Clinical Studies] serves as a prime
training facility for this program”
In fact, students from areas as far-flung as Montana, Alaska,
Washington state and even Finland have been trained in the program.
More than 200 applicants are currently vying for 12 positions
available for the upcoming academic year.
Why St. John's?
A number of the St. John’s doctoral students who recently
won prestigious internships were asked the question, “Why did you
choose the St. John’s Clinical Psychology program?”
The response was overwhelmingly uniform: for its excellent
reputation, its well known faculty and the broad training offered.
Mentioned frequently was the on-campus Center for Psychological
Services and Clinical Studies.
“I chose St. John’s for
the clinical experience offered from day one of the program, the
broad training
across the spectrum of theoretical orientations and the
diversity of the population we worked with” – Nira
Golombeck
“St. John’s program was
my first choice because it emphasizes both orientations:
psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral. The big difference is the
Center for Psychological Services.” – Beth
Chen
“The reputation
was the first reason but I also liked
the dual emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
and Psychodynamic Therapy. The ability to complete the program in a
timely manner attracted me as did the stories of recent graduates’
successes.” – Joseph E. Gottesman
“Because I worked for
two years before applying, I
was aware that employers were thrilled to have St. John’s students
working with them. The program has
an excellent reputation and is known for producing
very solid clinicians.” – Michele
Morganstern