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Site Name: SUNY Upstate Medical University

Department: Psychiatry and Behavioral Science

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Department : Psychiatry and Behavioral Science

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1495
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Department: Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
Address: 750 East Adams Street
Syracuse, New York 13210-2339
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 195 miles from New York City
Phone: 315-464-3120
Fax: 315-464-3163
Training Director Email: rapkej@upstate.edu
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: http://www.upstate.edu/psych/education/internships/psychology
Brochure Website's Address:
Primary Agency Type: Academic Health Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Academic Health Center
  • Child/Adolescent Psychiatric or Pediatrics
  • Community Mental Health Center
  • Medical School
  • School District
  • State/County/Other Public Hospital
  • University Counseling Center
Member of APPIC since: 2002
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Jennifer Rapke
Chief Psychologist: Jennifer Rapke
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 9
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 27
Position Information
Start Date: 08/02/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 14
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 45372
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 00000
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): $200 book allowance
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Although the specific clinical experiences vary across tracks, the core activities and foundation of education, supervision, and clinical service remain consistent for all interns at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Interns remain involved in supervised outpatient and ambulatory therapy experiences throughout the year across all tracks. The Adult Core interns see patients at the Student Counseling Center and the Child Core interns offer services through the Child & Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, both multidisciplinary clinics housed at the SUNY Upstate Department of Psychiatry. The Adult Integrated Care interns will see patients through the Integrated Behavioral Health Clinic at Nappi Wellness Institute, and the Child Neurodevelopmental Disabilities interns operate out of the Golisano Center for Special Needs, both cutting edge programs that are located on our main Downtown Campus. The School Based Mental Health interns will be providing integrated care services in the Syracuse City School District primary and secondary education buildings. Each intern will carry a caseload of patients and will offer regular appointments for these patients throughout the year. In addition, interns regularly engage in specialized track experiences, often in the form of closely supervised rotations in a variety of state-of-the-art multidisciplinary clinics and programs throughout campus, such as integrated care clinics, intensive outpatient programs, inpatient psychiatric units, and hospital consultation services. Finally, interns will participate weekly in high quality didactics and seminars. These cover core competency topics such as ethics, diversity, supervision, trauma and professional development, as well as specialized topics in respective track areas.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? No
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 12/01/2026 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/11/2026
Tentative interview date: TBD
Interview process description:

Applicants can only apply to one track. Ed.D. and School Psychology candidates will ONLY be considered for Child Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Track and School Based Behavioral Health Track.

Once reviewed, applicants will receive interview invitations from our Program Administrator. Should you accept this invitation, you will then receive detailed information regarding scheduling and your interviewers.

All applicants will typically meet with the respective Track Coordinator for an interview. You will also be interviewed by 1-2 additional faculty members from the track to which you applied. Applicants will participate in a Q&A session with current interns as well.

Adult Track Only: Please be prepared to discuss a case during your interview. 

All interviews will be conducted over videoconference during 2 weeks in December and 3 weeks in January. If you are interested in visiting our site, you are welcome to do so if that would be helpful to your match application and decision-making process. No preference will be given to candidates who choose to physically visit. Please email the Training Director if you would like to schedule a visit.

Of note, if you are a student who identifies as underrepresented in any way, we hope you will consider us in your application process.  Our internship is committed to a rigorous curriculum that has for years exceeded the field's standard in the teaching of identity and difference. We also understand that "diversity" is a complex issue, and that there are diverse ways to think about diversity itself. We are committed therefore to fostering the respectful exchange of varying and divergent viewpoints through the lens of critical thought, and believe that such engagement makes us all better psychologists. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Over our 50+ years, we have matched with students from more programs than we can list here. Some of our recent interns have come from programs such as Penn State, Washington State University, Point Park University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Tennessee, Duquesne University, Syracuse University, University of North Carolina, Stony Brook University, University of Oregon, University of Nevada, University of Massachusetts, and University of Pittsburgh.
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: Yes
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: No
Masters Degree Required: Yes, by application deadline
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 400
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 100
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): 500
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary): No
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Not Accepted
School Psychology Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Not Accepted
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements: Start of employment is contingent upon a negative test for illegal substances, including cannabis, and passing all other HR clearance requirements set forth by SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Program Description

Our program might best be described polytheoretical.  Our supervisors and teachers include psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, ecological systems and third-wave practitioners. We place a premium on theoretical rigor and respectful exchange of ideas across theoretical positions. 

The Adult Core track stresses intensive supervision, in-depth teaching, and a constant flow of communication between faculty and student. The teaching focus is on developing psychological and theoretical skills through deeper engagement with a variety of approaches to individual psychotherapy, group therapy, assessment, theory, ethics, and critical thinking throughout the year. Our distinguished faculty specializes in integrationist, psychodynamic, existential, DBT, and ACT approaches to psychotherapy.

The Child Core Track focus in on training highly competent, caring, trauma-informed, generalist child clinicians through intensive supervision, experiences in numerous inpatient, outpatient, and integrated care settings. The child track offers track-specific didactics in DBT, assessment and child psychotherapy, and rotations on a hospital-based consult-liaison service, inpatient unit, and others.

The Adult Integrated Healthcare Track is primarily situated in Upstate’s new, state-of-the-art, Nappi Wellness Institute. Here, interns will provide consultation and brief treatment to primary care patients, as well as more formal short-to-medium-term psychotherapy in the Nappi mental health clinic. In addition to this outpatient work, interns will have opportunities to rotate through various inpatient and outpatient settings and will receive formal and informal didactic training specific to this area.

The Child Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Track (new as of 2025) embeds the intern in our children's hospital's Center for Special Needs, where students will be part of an interdisciplinary team that rigorously applies ABA in cases of severe behavioral problems and developmental disabilities between the ages of 2 and 21 years. Typical problems addressed include self-injurious behavior (SIB), aggression, property destruction, noncompliance, tantrums, elopement, pica and toileting deficits. The primary goals of the program are to: (a) serve as a model for the assessment and treatment of destructive behavior displayed by persons with developmental disabilities, (b) foster the development of new therapeutic procedures through systematic research on the nature and management of destructive behaviors, and (c) promote the effective application of currently available treatments through training and consultation. The goal for each child is to decrease the occurrence of his/her problem behavior, promote and increase adaptive and communication skills to help replace occurrences of problem behavior, and generalize gains made in treatment to the child’s home environment, community, and school. Social and ecological validity of interventions is a significant area of emphasis.

The School-Based Behavioral Health and Wellness Track (new for 2027) focuses on training psychologists to provide accessible, culturally competent mental health services that support the academic success and well-being of Syracuse City School District (SCSD) students and their families. The internship track provides intensive clinical and assessment experience in an outpatient services clinic embedded within a diverse, urban school district.  

If you are a student who identifies as underrepresented in any way, we hope you will consider us in your application process.  Our internship is committed to a rigorous curriculum that has for years exceeded the field's standard in the teaching of identity and difference. We also understand that "diversity" is a complex issue, and that there are diverse ways to think about diversity itself. We are committed therefore to fostering the respectful exchange of varying and divergent viewpoints through the lens of critical thought, and believe that such engagement makes us all better psychologists.

Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying either to the Adult Core, Adult Integrated Care, Child Core, Child Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Track, or School Based Behavioral Health Track. You must apply to only one track, if you apply to more than one, your application may be disqualified. Ed.D. and School Psychology applicants will ONLY be considered for the Child Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Track or the School Based Behavioral Health Track.

A more detailed description of the program can be obtained online at www.upstate.edu/psych/education/internships/psychology

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children: Yes
Adolescents: Yes
Adults: Yes
Family: Yes
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students: Yes
International Students: Yes
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Individual Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Group Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Consultation/Liaison: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Primary Care: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Experience (21% to 30%)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Experience (21% to 30%)
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities: Experience (21% to 30%)
Assessment: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Child: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Serious Mental Illness: Experience (21% to 30%)
Anxiety Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Trauma/PTSD: Experience (21% to 30%)
Sexual Abuse: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Substance Use Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics: Exposure (1% to 20%)
School: Experience (21% to 30%)
Counseling: Experience (21% to 30%)
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Feminist Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Experience (21% to 30%)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Integrated health care - specialty: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: www.upstate.edu/psych/education/internships/psychology  for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027
Number of Completed Applications: 76 58 62 100 118 94 145
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 43 38 39 50 43 56 68
Total number of interns: 7 7 7 7 7 7 9 11
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 7 7 7 7 7 7 9 11
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 7 7 7 5 4 4 4
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 0 0 2 3 3 7
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 7 7 7 7 7 7 11
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 7 3 3 3 4 5
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 90 35 44 40 39 40
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Academic teaching: 1
Community mental health center: 0 1 0 1
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 1 1 3 6
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 1 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0 2
Independent practice setting: 2 1 3 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 1 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.upstate.edu/psychiatry/education/internships/apply-now.php
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