A Tradition of Training
The Behavioral Health department of BPS has trained students from pre-practicum through internship for over 10 years.
Many of our current staff members began as students. Our nationally recognized department offers high-quality training in all competency areas defined by NASP, including special education evaluation, tiered counseling interventions, trauma-sensitive practices, teacher consultation, mental health supports, and systems level support. Our goal is to provide an extraordinary learning experience that helps school psychology interns become highly skilled practitioners.
Internship & Practicum Activities
School psychology interns work alongside their supervisors as part of their school teams, and are encouraged to develop rapport and professional relationships with building staff. Students are encouraged to consult with teachers, administrators, and other professionals regarding individual students and class or school-wide initiatives.
School psychology students gain experience with managing caseloads, engaging in behavioral consultations, functional behavioral assessment, developing behavior support plans, direct interventions such as group or individual counseling, reviewing data for eligibility determinations, consulting with school teams utilizing a tiered system of support and standardized assessments.
Other common activities may include participating in building teams such as student support teams, child study teams, data teams, Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model (CBHM) teams, and providing professional development to teachers and other school personnel.
Interns are encouraged to take advantage of our wide array of student needs and specialized staff to learn more about particular areas of specialization in our district. Potential areas that may include programs that support early childhood, multi-tiered systems of support, students on the Autism spectrum, and those with developmental disabilities. In addition, BPS serves students with complex emotional impairments, learning disabilities, post-secondary transition, and trauma-sensitive practices.
Interns have the opportunity to further hone their professional and communication skills, clinical and consultation skills, and leadership and systems change skills within an urban environment, all with ongoing support and guidance to help prepare them for a successful career as a leader within the profession of school psychology.