Application Process and Selection Criteria

The New Mexico Psychology Internship Consortium offers up to eight (8) full-time intern positions, up to two (2) positions at each of the sites. Students interested in applying for the internship program should submit an online application through the APPIC website (www.appic.org).

Selection Criteria

Education

All applicants must be a current doctoral-level student in a clinical, counseling, or school psychology program and must be certified by the Director of Clinical Training as being ready for an internship.

A complete application consists of the following materials:

1. A completed AAPI (APPIC’s standard application).
2. Cover letter (part of the online AAPI) stating your preferred training site(s) and why you are interested in those sites specifically. Applicants may indicate their interest in more than one site within the consortium in one cover letter.
3. A current Curriculum Vitae (as part of the AAPI).
4. Three standardized reference forms, two of which must be from persons who have directly supervised the applicant’s work (as part of the online AAPI). Please do not submit more than three letters.
5. Official transcripts of all graduate coursework (as part of the online AAPI).
6. Supplementary material (please ensure that materials are redacted appropriately):
   1. One full integrated assessment report

Additional Criteria

NM-PIC bases its selection process on the entire application package noted above; however, applicants who have met the following qualifications prior to beginning internship are considered preferred:

1. APA accredited doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology
2. A minimum of 400 intervention hours
3. A minimum of 50 assessment hours
4. Dissertation proposal defended
5. Experience or special interest in working with diverse populations and/or in rural or under-served areas
6. American Indian applicants will be given preference at the Iina Counseling Services site.

In addition to the preferences noted above, NM-PIC takes into consideration the potential commitment or interest of any prospective intern to remain in New Mexico following internship and work in behavioral health. Developing a strong behavioral health workforce is an important consideration for the state, and an interest in remaining in New Mexico to join the workforce will be considered a benefit in a potential intern.

Applicants apply to as many or as few training sites within NM-PIC as they choose, and should specify the sites they wish to be considered for in a cover letter/email.   Only one complete application is required for consideration to any of the sites in the Consortium.

All application materials must be received by December 1 in order to be considered. Applicants are notified about interview status on or before December 15. All interviews are conducted virtually in early January with specific dates to be determined.

Finally, interns will be required to purchase student liability insurance through the APA Trust for the period of the internship training year.

Background Check and Medical Clearance

Candidates selected by NM-PIC must successfully complete a background check and medical clearance prior to commencing the internship. Final hiring for the internship is contingent upon clearing the general background check as well as medical reviews at each site. Please note that use of marijuana is prohibited by all four sites.

For individual sites this process includes:

NMBHI – CYFD vetting/background check, fingerprinting, Tuberculosis test, drug screen

ICS- background check, fingerprinting, Tuberculosis test

HMS-  background check, Tuberculosis test, drug screen

LANL – background check, personal identity verification by National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), drug screen

Questions regarding the application or interview process may be directed to either of NM-PIC’s Program Director, Dr. Neal Bowen (nbowen@hmsnm.org), or to the program’s WICHE consultant, Todd Helvig (thelvig@wiche.edu).