User:

Site Name: U. S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners

Department: Psychology Department

Back

Department : Psychology Department

Click on a section title to expand or collapse individual sections.
Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1398
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: U. S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners
Department: Psychology Department
Address: 1900 W. Sunshine St.
Springfield, Missouri 65807
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 200 miles southwest of St. Louis
Phone: 417-862-7041x1206
Fax:
Training Director Email: lvera@bop.gov
Co-Training Director Email: ctindell@bop.gov
Web Address: https://www.bop.gov/jobs/psychology_internship.jsp
Brochure Website's Address: https://bophrmd.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#8y0000008aTl/a/SJ00000CfIoW/EumOU6rfB9bKbZt6tLtPieLIrwMei0EGFEK6OU5gi6o
Primary Agency Type: Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Additional Agency Types:
  • Prison or Other Correctional Facility
Member of APPIC since: 1989
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Lauren Vera
Chief Psychologist: Lauren Vera
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 8
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 08/09/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 63148
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Comp Time , Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Professional development benefits, pending funding, to include EPPP materials and a fully funded conference in Denver with interns across all FBOP institutions.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site A typical day for an intern varies dependent upon the specific rotations. Please see our brochure for sample schedules for the program rotations. Interns work closely with licensed psychologists on all of the rotations and follow a developmental model of increasing responsibilities throughout the training year. Direct clinical services (assessment, intervention, addressing crises) is the focus of the training, as well as enhancing clinical documentation, report writing, consultation with interdisciplinary teams, supervision, and training. Didactics, forensic seminar, and group and individual supervisions are offered throughout the week. Interns are considered essential employees and continue to provide clinical services to patients.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsNo
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?Yes
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: 11/01/2026 11:59 PM EST
Interview notification date: 12/15/2026
Tentative interview date: January 2027
Interview process description:

After applications are submitted electronically via the APPIC portal, all are evaluated and the most suitable candidates are contacted to verify each person’s eligibility for temporary federal employment with additional application materials at www.usajobs.com. Applicants are notified via email whether they will be advancing in the selection process. This is a necessary requirement for federal employment. Further details will be forthcoming to those candidates. Once an applicant has successfully completed this process, they will be contacted to arrange an interview.

Due to the nature of the Bureau of Prison's hiring process, you will need to complete a pre-employment integrity interview which addresses issues of personal conduct, a subject matter interview with Psychology staff, and a drug test. Any drug use is prohibited, including marijuana, even if legal in the state you reside. In-person, on-site interviews are preferred. These procedures are used to determine your qualifications for a position of public trust and are required of all applicants seeking employment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

A psychology-related interview will be conducted, either in-person or virtually, depending upon the preference of the applicant. The psychology-related interview includes interviews with USMCFP Psychology supervisors, as well as an informal time to meet with current interns. The virtual interview lasts approximately three hours, and the in-person portion is scheduled about five to six hours. In-person applicants thus have the opportunity to complete a tour of the facility and learn more about the area and the program, information that will be beneficial when rank-ordering internship preference. The interview process provides our staff an opportunity to assess the candidate's clinical and interpersonal skills. Applicants will also have the opportunity to meet and speak with the current interns. Interviews will typically be held in January. All efforts will be made to notify applicants of their interview status by December 15, 2026. 

Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Vera, Acting Internship Program Coordinator, with any questions or concerns regarding the interview process.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Adler, Chicago School, John Jay, Nova Southeastern, Sam Houston, Texas Tech, West Virginia University, Wright State, and many more!
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: No
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: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by start of internship
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):
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 Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Not Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not 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: U.S. Citizenship is required. Applicants must have lived in the U.S. for three of the last five years. Offers of internship positions resulting from the APPIC Match are strictly contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation process, including a physical examination and urinalysis drug screen. For individuals selected through the matching process, a field investigation will follow to verify that the information provided in interviews and on required forms is accurate. Failure to complete this process or a finding that an applicant is outside the guidelines for employment in a sensitive position would preclude participation in the program. Once hired, interns must comply with the Bureau's Program Statement on Standards of Employee Conduct and Responsibility.
Program Description

The internship provides each intern with training experiences under the supervision of experienced psychologists in a variety of patient care settings. The training site includes adults in custody due to incarceration and patients that may either be pre-trial and in need of evaluation services or patients that are civilly committed. The program aims to use a scientist-practitioner model to train entry-level adult practitioners who can provide mental health services for a diverse population. To attain this aim, each intern has a sequence of rotations at the U.S. Medical Center in addition to several treatment and didactic activities that run for the entire year. Interns complete three major, four-month rotations which focus on 1) inpatient psychological treatment, 2) psychological assessment, with some emphasis on forensic evaluation, and 3) medical/surgical psychology. Interns also complete three minor, four-month rotations, in which they work 8 to 10 hours per week conducting psychoeducational competency restoration groups; "work cadre" (general population) services to incarcerated adults; and working in Drug Abuse Programming, including opportunities in a Medical Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Because much can be learned from long-term psychotherapy cases, it is not uncommon for interns to continue to provide psychotherapy in some cases across rotations, with supervision from a licensed psychologist throughout the course of psychotherapy. A primary focus of the training program includes providing direct clinical services within the correctional hostpital setting. Finally, didactic training opportunities in a variety of areas provide exposure to numerous topics, including mental health case law, forensic psychological assessment techniques, psychopharmacology, evidence based treatments, addressing crises, professional identity development, and cultural diversity. Ten out of the twelve psychologists are licensed, three are board certified, and all participate in the supervision and training of interns. Additionally, we are in the hiring process for additional psychologists. Staff members represent a variety of theoretical paradigms and supervision styles. 

The website for the Psychology Internship Programs within the BOP is:

https://bophrmd--hrdev.sandbox.my.site.com/s/intern-brochures

On that webpage is the link to the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoner Psychology Internship Program Brochure. It is also located here:

https://bophrmd.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#8y0000008aTl/a/SJ00000CfIoW/EumOU6rfB9bKbZt6tLtPieLIrwMei0EGFEK6OU5gi6o

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Individual Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Crisis Intervention: Experience (21% to 30%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Experience (21% to 30%)
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Trauma/PTSD: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Abuse: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Substance Use Disorders: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Forensics/Corrections: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Offenders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Geropsychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research:
Administration:
Integrated health care - primary: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - specialty:
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: https://www.bop.gov/jobs/psychology_internship.jsp  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: 56 59 52 38 35 29 45 36 78 37
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 24 24 21 24 28 22 28 23 42 24
Total number of interns: 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 2 0
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 2 0
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 3 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 0 0
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 0
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 2 2 3 2 1 3 2 2 0
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 16 12 12 23 18 7 5 18 19 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 94 20 20 70 61 21 28 48 20 0
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0 0 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 1 0 1 0
Correctional facility: 2 4 1 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 0 1 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.bop.gov/jobs/docs/spg_internship_brochure.pdf
Back