User:

Site Name: Avondale Elementary School District

Department: AESD Psychology Internship

Back

Department : AESD Psychology Internship

Click on a section title to expand or collapse individual sections.
Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2316
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Avondale Elementary School District
Department: AESD Psychology Internship
Address: 295 West Western Avenue
Avondale, Arizona 85323
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ
Distance from Major City: 26 miles west of downtown Phoenix, AZ
Phone: 602-763-1452
Fax:
Training Director Email: sway@chooseaesd.org
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: http://www.chooseaesd.org
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.chooseaesd.org/psychologyinternship
Primary Agency Type: School District
Additional Agency Types:
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Samara Way
Chief Psychologist: Samara Way
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 6
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 0
Position Information
Start Date: 07/12/2027
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 10
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 35000
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above):
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns work Monday - Friday from approximately 7:30 am to 4 pm with the exception of interns at the Saddle Mountain Site who work four ten hour days in the district . The work day is arranged around the school schedule to maximize the amount of time spent with students. The intern will participate in evaluation and IEP meetings, which can occur before, during or after school. They will spend their day observing, assessing, providing intervention to students, or consulting with parents and staff about students. Interns also spend part of each day completing required paperwork.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsNo
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
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: 12/01/2026 11:59 PM EST
A Virtual Interview are: Required
Interview notification date: 12/18/2026
Tentative interview date: Interviews will be held in January 2027.
Interview process description:

We will only offer virtual interviews per the National Matching Services portal.  The interviews typically last 1 hour, they are indiividual interviews, and are conducted with staff members from AESD, DVUSD, PUHSD, and/or SMUSD. Participation in a group orientation is required prior to individual interviews. Interviewees are also given the opportunity to participate in a virtual open house to speak with current interns. Applicants will interview with an multi-track team even if they are only  applied to one of the specific district tracks. The interview notifications will be sent via the NMS portal.
How to obtain application info: Email the Program
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Texas A&M, University of Arizona, Argosy University-Phoenix, University of Northern Colorado, University of South Dakota, University of Central Arkansas, Indiana State University, Mississippi State University, University of Iowa, Oklahoma State University, Tulane University, California Lutheran University, Midwestern University, Texas Women's University, University of Wisconsin, University of Kentucky, Alliant University, Duquesne University, Fielding University; Immaculata University; Loyola University Chicago; Baylor University; University of Georgia; University of LaVerne; Northern Arizona University; Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Nova Southeastern University, University of Denver, Rivier University and Illinois State University.
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: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: No
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 25
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 Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Accepted
Non-Accredited 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: The trainee must have a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance card obtained through the AZ Department of Public Safety prior to starting the internship. The program will assist those matched to obtain the clearance card if they do not already have one. The matched trainee must also complete an employment application for Human Resources paperwork purposes which includes a successful background check prior to the start of the internship.
Program Description

AESD is committed to providing a comprehensive, high-quality internship experience through a carefully planned and sequenced training program. Our primary goal is to ensure interns develop broad, well-rounded competencies while receiving meaningful supervision and support throughout the training year.

The internship program is offered across four training locations, or program tracks, within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. While each site provides a unique educational setting, all interns participate in the same core training program and receive equivalent training experiences. Applicants are welcome to apply to any combination of the four locations.

  • Avondale: Located in the southwest Phoenix metropolitan area, this elementary school district offers four internship positions.

  • Tonopah: Situated west of Phoenix in a more rural community, this Preschool–12th grade district offers two internship positions.

  • Peoria: Located in the northwest Phoenix metropolitan area, this more urban Preschool–12th grade district offers two internship positions.

  • Phoenix: This high school district serves students in grades 9–12 and offers two internship positions.

The internship is designed to meet Arizona requirements for licensure as a psychologist and certification as a school psychologist. The program consists of 2,000 hours of supervised training completed over a 12-month period, with at least 25% of training dedicated to direct service. While the internship is specifically designed to provide advanced training in school psychology, students from all psychology doctoral programs with relevant preparation are considered. Applicants from school psychology doctoral programs or those with previous experience in a school setting are strongly preferred.

Interns gain experience across both Special Education and General Education settings under the supervision of licensed psychologists. Training experiences include psychoeducational and psychological evaluations, consultation, counseling, behavior intervention and management, crisis intervention, and professional development activities.

Training assignments are intentionally designed to provide each intern with opportunities to assess and support students across a broad range of ages, abilities, and presenting concerns. Interns work with students from diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and racial/ethnic backgrounds, fostering the development of culturally responsive practice. The diversity of students, families, and staff across AESD's partner districts provides rich multicultural training experiences. In addition, deliberate efforts are made to ensure interns gain experience working with students who have low-incidence disabilities and complex educational and behavioral needs.

Internship Training Opportunities

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

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Individual Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy:
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Experience (21% to 30%)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Long-term Psychotherapy:
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other: Supervision of practicum students or other trainees may be available at certain sites.

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Developmental Disabilities: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Serious Mental Illness: Exposure (1% to 20%)
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:
Pediatrics: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
School: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Counseling: Experience (21% to 30%)
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Experience (21% to 30%)
Research:
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary:
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: www.chooseaesd.org  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: 43 54 77 62 102 80 79 77 160 175
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 22 18 30 36 45 33 55 43 112 92
Total number of interns: 4 5 7 8 9 11 11 12 13 13
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 2 5 7 8 9 11 11 12 13 12
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 2 3 6 5 5 8 4 4 5 4
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 2 2 1 3 4 4 8 8 8 9
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 0 2 1 2 1 2 10 8 8
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 4 3 6 6 8 9 2 4 5
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 0 0 0 0 0 0 34 43
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 62 300 150 150 75 100 103 71
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: 1 3 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0
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: 5 2 8 0
Independent practice setting: 2 4 4 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 2 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data: https://www.chooseaesd.org/psychologyinternship
Back