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Site Name: University of South Carolina

Department: Student Health and Well-Being, Counseling & Psychology Services

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Department : Student Health and Well-Being, Counseling & Psychology Services

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1553
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: University of South Carolina
Department: Student Health and Well-Being, Counseling & Psychology Services
Address: Center for Health and Well-Being
1401 Devine St.
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 90 Miles South of Charlotte, N.C.; 200 Miles East of Atlanta
Phone: 803-777-5223
Fax: 803-777-5223
Training Director Email: watsonsp@mailbox.sc.edu
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student-health-well-being/mental-health/training_and_advocacy/
Brochure Website's Address:
Primary Agency Type: University Counseling Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • University Counseling Center
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Sterling Watson 7775223
Chief Psychologist: Sterling Watson 7775223
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 5
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 08/02/2027
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: 36567
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Interns enjoy many of the same benefits as full-time staff and faculty. Benefits such as access to the library, recreational facilities & recreational equipment rental, employee wellness programs, retirement benefits, and special discounts like receiving 10% discount at the USC bookstore, discounted rates on cultural events including concerts, art exhibits, sporting events and more are available. To learn more please see our Benefits page at https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/human_resources/benefits/index.php
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Intern's schedules are variable and may have several tasks from training activities, which include supervision and didactic seminars, to Clinical responsibilities, which include individual therapy, group therapy, and, when available, couples therapy. Interns may participate in walk-in/crisis hours during the day, as well as function as consultants to practicum trainees, faculty, and staff. Interns will also be involved with outreach and engagement programming, which includes workshops, support groups, and teaching resilience training to 1st-year students through University 101. Interns will also engage in traditional outreach programming, which may include suicide prevention, managing stress and anxiety, and other mental health topics that impact the college population. Interns will also be engaged with our virtual support services through Therapist Assistant Online (TAO), the Interactive Screening Program (ISP), and Tele-therapy. Interns will also have administrative tasks and contribute to our All Staff meetings, Consultation team meetings, and collaboration with our campus partners. Interns will also work within the frame of our multidisciplinary training programs which include our Masters of Social Work, Counselor Education (Marriage and Family Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health.) Interns will interface within our collaborative care model as consultants with Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Sports Medicine, Women's Health, Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention, Healthy Campus initiatives, Strategic Initiatives, and health promotion units within Student Health and Well-being
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsNo
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsNo
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?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: 11/11/2026 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/11/2026
Tentative interview date: 01/05/2027, 01/06/27, 01/07/2027
Interview process description:

Intern applicants to be interviewed are contacted by phone in December with instructions for inteview date and time options. This years interviews will be held January 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2027.  Candidates are interviewed by 2 different groups of 2-3 staff members and current interns in 2 back-to-back 45 minute interview segments with a 10 minute break between. Prior to interviews applicants will meet with Training Director for 20-30 minutes for program overview, technology check, and questions that applicants may have. Total interview time is 120 minutes. Interviews are only offered via Zoom.

Onsite visits are encouraged, however onsite visits do not in any way affect final ranking or selection decisions. Intern applicants are encouraged to visit us post interview. If interested in visiting please contact the Training Director by phone or e-mail and a follow up e-mail to coordinate an hour block where intern can tour the center and meet available staff. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Visit Website
We have matched with interns from these programs: Antioch University Regent University University of La Verne East Tennessee State University James Madison University George Washington University Auburn University Baylor University Texas Women's University University of Memphis University of Georgia Nova Southeastern University University of Rochester Wright State University, SOPP University of Southern Colorado Colorado State University University of Maryland Chicago School of Professional Psychology Azusa Pacific University Midwestern University Tennessee State University California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) Florida Institute of Technology University of Indianapolis Mercer University The Wright Institute University of Indiana, Bloomington
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: 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: 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): 450
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 25
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable): 475
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 Not Accepted
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: 1- Letter of intent/application; 2- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's clinical performance; 3- Graduate school transcripts; 4- Current Curriculum Vitae
Program Description

The doctoral internship program at the University of South Carolina Student Health Services (SHS) -Counseling and Psychiatry’s Aims are:


1) provide a training/practice environment that prides itself on the utilization of the medical home model of service-delivery program to the students of the University of South Carolina.


2) provide core training that attends to the:


a) development and utilization of evidence-based practice through research,

b) encouraging ethical practice,

c) grow in individual and cultural diversity competencies,

d) practice professional attitudes, refine communication and interpersonal skills,

e) improve diagnostic assessment and intervention skills,

f) learn supervision theory and consultation

g) and develop skills to work within an interdisciplinary team.

Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS) is housed within Student Health & Well-Being (SHWB) of Student Affairs and Academic Support (SASS). We are an integrated Health services center that is accredited by the American Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Our Collaborative Care Model promotes consultation, referral, and client centered care through our embedded behavioral health specialist.

Our guiding philosophy is a Developmental-Apprentice-Practitioner (DAP) Model. We provide a comprehensive practice environment that offers high quality services to students at the University of South Carolina. The Clients-Interns-Supervisors model form an inextricable alliance that guides the content of developmental, apprentice, and practice approaches to accomplish our training aims and objectives. We are dedicated to providing quality care and quality training in an atmosphere of respect and consideration.


Interns are expected to demonstrate competence in diagnostic assessment, crisis intervention, and psychotherapy. Because our center primarily operates within a brief treatment model, psychotherapy and intervention competencies receive significant attention across all phases of training.

Group therapy is also an integral part of the internship experience. Interns are required to co-facilitate two groups each semester. In addition, interns support outreach and engagement efforts throughout the year, which may include mental health events, screenings, tabling, web-based services such as TAO coaching and the Interactive Screening Program, and consultation with campus partners or community-based organizations.

During the fall semester, interns are required to facilitate designated presentations for University 101 to our first-year students. They may also develop and deliver outreach presentations that support the needs of various campus communities. When available, interns may have opportunities to work with embedded and integrated services teams serving specific populations with identified needs.


Interns receive two hours of Individual supervision weekly, two hours of group supervision weekly, 1 hour of supervision of supervision weekly and .5 hours of group supervision weekly for each co-facilitated group. We value live supervision and expect interns to participate in live supervision throughout the internship year. Peer consultation provides another collegial supervisory and consultation opportunity that offers our interns a multidisciplinary space to grow and develop throughout the year.


Interns attend a 2-hour didactic seminar each week that focuses on topics specific to work at university and college counseling centers. Interns participate in a weekly multicultural appreciation and therapy seminar and have other opportunities throughout the training year to deepen their knowledge, experience, and practice in this area of training. During the fall semester supervision theory and practice are taught or reinforced through our didactic supervision of supervision seminar. In the Spring, Interns provide mentoring and limited supervision to our master’s level trainees through our training model. As a function of our multidisciplinary training program, interns will share didactic and training spaces with practicum students.


Additionally, within our collaborative care model interns have the opportunity for exposure to the Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Sports Medicine, Women's Health, Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention, Healthy Campus Initiatives, Strategic Initiatives, and Health promotion units within Student Health and Well-being.
We look forward to your application and thank you for considering our program. We wish you well in this process and hope that we can be a small part of your journey as you take the next step in your education, practice, and career as a Health Service Psychologist.


For more information about our program, please contact Dr. Sterling P. Watson at watsonsp@mailbox.sc.edu for any questions that you may have.


You can also refer to our website at


https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student-health-well-being/mental-health/training_and_advocacy/

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults:
Inpatients:
Outpatients: Yes
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students: Yes
International Students: Yes
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing:
Other: Non-traditional Students, Professional Students (.e. Medical School, Law School, Nursing Students, Social work Students)

(training opportunities continued)

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

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Women's Health: Exposure (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Sexual Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
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:
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Substance Use Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Vocational/Career Development: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Multicultural Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Feminist Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Religion/Spirituality: Experience (21% to 30%)
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Program Development/Evaluation: Experience (21% to 30%)
Supervision: Experience (21% to 30%)
Research: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Administration: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Integrated health care - primary: Experience (21% to 30%)
Integrated health care - specialty: Experience (21% to 30%)
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://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student-health-well-being/mental-health/training_and_advocacy/  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: 34 57 24 22 24 41 43 168
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 23 23 20 21 21 22 24 31
Total number of interns: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 3 3 3 2 3 3 1 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 3 3 3 2 3 3 1 3
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 1 0 0 0 0 8 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 12 10 8 21 5 54 56 40
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: 2 1 2 2
Hospital/Medical Center: 1 0 0 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 2 1 1
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student-health-well-being/mental-health/training_and_advocacy/
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