Master of Social Work Internship

Student Counseling Services offers a 10-month Master of Social Work (MSW) Internship beginning in August and ending in May. This internship is designed as a second field placement opportunity for students currently enrolled in a master’s level social work program with at least one year of prior clinical experience.

Our focus is to provide a strong comprehensive clinical experience for our trainees that integrates development of clinical competence and ethical practice with professional growth and development in a supportive environment. Interns will have exposure to a full range of services, therapeutic perspectives, and interdisciplinary skills found within a University Counseling Center.

Training Experience

• Individual Therapy: Interns will provide bi-weekly therapy services to a diverse population of college students utilizing our short-term therapy model. 
• Triage Assessments: Interns will be trained to conduct triage assessments, which entail assessing presenting concerns, risk, and level of care and making a referral to an appropriate service, whether internal or external to Student Counseling Services.
• Group Therapy: Interns will engage in our robust interpersonal process groups through either process observation and/or co-facilitating a process group with a staff. Groups meet weekly.
• Single Sessions: Interns will be trained to provide effective solution-focused therapeutic intervention within one session.
• Case Management: Interns may also be able to provide case management services to students, assisting students in connecting with community providers.
• Individual Supervision: Interns will receive individual supervision by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a focus on social justice, inclusion, and diversity.
• The MSW internship is 20 hours per week, requiring a 2-3 day/week commitment. The general time commitment per internship activity (i.e. individual therapy, triage, case management, etc.) will vary depending on the needs of the agency. However, a sample time allocation is below:

Sample Time Allocation

Service Delivery/Experiential Learning	Hours Per Week
Individual Counseling	6
Group Counseling	2
Triage Assessment	1
Single Session	1
Case Management	1
Didactic Seminars	1
Clinical Paperwork	3
Supervision	3
Staff Meetings	2
	Total: 20 hours

Application Process

Applicants who are interested in the field placement at Student Counseling Services must be currently enrolled in an accredited Master of Social Work program. Applicants must have prior clinical experience and have completed at least one field placement experience.

Applicants are selected on the basis of previous clinical experience, recommendations of faculty from their home program and personal interviews with the Student Counseling Services staff.

The following submissions are required:

• Cover letter explaining interest and goals for Internship program
• Current vita or resume
• Unofficial Transcripts
• 3 letters of reference

Please submit application materials through ISU’s job portal once the position is posted.

Internship questions can also be directed to Nicole Anderson via neander@ilstu.edu or telephone at 309-438-3655. Interviews will be conducted during the spring semester and will be on site.

The MSW Internship at Illinois State University is a security-sensitive position that requires a background check to verify that candidates have no criminal record that would preclude placement at Student Counseling Services. A background check is conducted following the formal offer and the outcome has the potential to preclude placement at our site. For more information regarding the criminal background investigation policy, please see the Criminal Background Investigation Policy .