Externship Opportunities

Overview

The mission of the Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) is to contribute to the personal, educational, and career development of University of Delaware students. CCSD has served in this role on campus since its establishment in 1946. CCSD also works to support a robust training program, including pre-doctoral psychology interns and externship/practicum trainees. Externs are defined as individuals in the process of completing their master’s or doctoral degrees who provide direct clinical services and receive supervision at the CCSD in order to accrue required hours toward their degree. Because the externship includes individuals from a variety of disciplines and degree types, the information included below serves as a general guideline for the training experience; adjustments and accommodations are made based on degree requirements, availability of licensed supervisors, capacity of CCSD, etc. Generally speaking, CCSD hosts externs pursuing degrees including (but not limited to): MS/MA in Counseling Psychology, MS/MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MSW, and PhD/PsyD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. In addition to the externship program we have an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship.

Past cohorts include doctoral students from LaSalle University, Loyola University Maryland, Widener University, Lehigh University, Immaculata University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Delaware and West Chester University.

Activities and Responsibilities 

Externship students are expected to spend a minimum of two days each week at CCSD over two consecutive semesters. This typically is broken down to 16 hours per week (two, eight-hour days) or 20 hours per week (two, eight-hour days and one four-hour half day) for the year. At least half a day must be Friday as this is when cohort training (such as didactic and case group) is held.

In a standard week, externship students will have six to 13 hours of direct clinical service, with most hours focused on individual therapy clients. Other direct service hours may be collected through group therapy involvement, outreach, and/or initial triage appointments. The range of direct service reflects the range of hours working at CCSD (16 hours vs. 20 hours), as well as individual variability in terms of readiness and experience upon starting the externship year.

CCSD uses a time-limited treatment model and supports trainees in developing their skills in this modality through supervision. Externship students are encouraged to seek approval from their individual supervisor to carry one client on a longer-term basis in order to diversify their training experiences.

In addition to clinical services, the externship experience includes participation in Training Orientation, weekly Extern Didactic Seminar meetings, weekly Group Supervision, and weekly “Meet a Professional” hours (newly launched in the 2025–2026 academic year). The CCSD training model is developmental in nature, and the Extern Seminar coordinates the practical learning experience for practicum students. Trainees are assisted in learning, applying and refining their basic counseling skills, theoretical orientation and conceptualization of clients through group supervision, case consultation, apprenticeship, instruction and peer feedback. Practicum students also have the option to attend weekly staff meetings as well as our professional development sessions.

Videotape review of sessions is used in supervision. In the fall, for doctoral externs, individual supervision is provided by a senior staff psychologist or psychological assistant, who in turn, are supervised by a licensed psychologist. In the spring, supervised doctoral interns provide individual supervision. For all other trainees, individual supervision is provided by a senior staff member of appropriate necessary licensure, with secondary supervision provided by doctoral interns in the spring. In addition, senior staff are readily available for additional informal consultation and supervision when the need arises. Externship students receive one hour to 90 minutes of individual supervision per week and one hour of group supervision per week.

Any questions about the externship at CCSD or application process can be sent to the Assistant Director of Training, Lauren Bauer, LCSW at laurenjb@udel.edu.

Application/Selection Procedures 

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Transcripts from graduate work
• Two letters of reference (at least one from a clinical supervisor)

NOTE: For non-PENDELDOT programs, please email application materials to laurenjb@udel.edu by January 15, 2026.

The 2026–2027 externship experience will begin around August 18, 2026 and end around May 29, 2027 (though these dates are negotiable.)

PENDELDOT Uniform Timeline

Our site follows the PENDELDOT Uniform Timeline for Externship Applications followed by many programs in the Greater Philadelphia Area. For PENDELDOT participating programs, please go to PENDELDOT's website and search for our site for more details.

Trainee Policy Regarding Dual Relationships

Occasionally, students interested in clinical training opportunities at CCSD may have a potential dual relationship with a current member of the CCSD staff. The following are examples of dual relationships that may impact your eligibility for a training position:

• If a family member is a current staff member at CCSD, you will not be eligible for a training position with us.
• If you are in a non-university business relationship with a current CCSD staff member, you will need to terminate the business relationship prior to engaging in training at CCSD.
• If you currently, or in the past were in a romantic relationship with a current CCSD staff member you are not eligible for a training position.
• Individuals with affiliation with the University of Delaware will be searched for in the CCSD client database. If you were a former client at CCSD or saw a current staff member in their private practice more than two years ago, you may submit your application for a training position and your materials will be reviewed without consideration of prior clinical treatment. If you were a former client at CCSD less than two years ago, you may still submit your application for a training position, though your materials will be reviewed with consideration of prior clinical treatment (i.e., length of treatment, interaction with current versus former staff, etc).