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 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 extern cohorts have included doctoral students from West Chester University, LaSalle University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Immaculata University and Loyola University of Maryland, as well as master's students from Bryn Mawr College, West Chester University and University of Delaware.

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 6–13 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 externship 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. Externship 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 general, individual supervision is provided by a senior staff member of appropriate necessary licensure, with secondary supplemental 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:

• A cover letter of interest that describes your experience and interest which make you a good match with our site. This is a good place to explain what your goals are for externship.
• Curriculum vitae
• Transcripts from graduate work
• Two letters of reference (at least one from a clinical supervisor)

NOTE: For non-PENDELDOT positions, we will begin reviewing applications on January 15, 2027 and have a rolling admission deadline until all positions are filled.

The 2027–2028 externship experience will begin around August 18, 2027 and end around May 29, 2028 (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).

Policy for UD Students who are Trainees within CCSD

CCSD enjoys and embraces its partnership with UD graduate programs who have students in training with us. We recognize the distress that graduate school (or life, more generally) can cause, and the subsequent desire to engage in mental health treatment. We encourage trainees to utilize all support available to them but also recognize the potential for a dual relationship when a UD student (who would typically have full access to the services provided within CCSD) is also a current or former provider of said services at CCSD. Due to the dual relationship and conflict of interest caused when an individual is both clinician and client within the same organization, such trainees are strongly encouraged to seek services outside of CCSD (such as via TimelyCare or off-campus therapy using their insurance). CCSD is unable to provide ongoing services to any trainee previously or continually involved in training within our organization. A list of suggested therapists in the local community is available to all trainees (regardless of institutional affiliation) to those who wish to avail themselves of these resources. Additionally, trainees are encouraged to speak with their supervisor or Training Leadership about community provider recommendations. This policy is not intended to discourage or shame trainees seeking services; rather, it is intended to support trainees in utilizing services available to them in such a way that does not cause undue conflict of interest.

Training Spaces

Curious about our work space? Here's a sampling of pictures from our training suite.