Academic Internships

In partnership with the Academic Internship Program, students can apply one quarter of Psychology-related Academic Internship (AIP 197) credit toward their upper-division (UD) Psychology Elective credit for any of the majors in our department. Remember that AIP 197 may only be taken P/NP. Internships must be approved by the Psychology Department in advance.

How to request to use AIP 197 toward your Psychology Major requirements

1. Locate an opportunity through the AIP portal, then create a Learning Contract with an AIP advisor and internship supervisor.
2. Find a Psychology faculty member to be your advisor.
3. After completing #1 and #2, submit it for course pre-approval through the Psychology Department online petition portal. You must include:
   1. Write-up about the company and internship
   2. Summary of daily tasks and responsibilities
   3. Work schedule 
   4. How the internship relates to the field of psychology
   5. How are you connecting what you learn in the internship to supplement your psychology courses at UCSD
   6. Share how you see this internship helping you with your future plans
   7. Your faculty mentor must sign the pre-approval form
4. Once you have received a final grade in AIP 197, you must submit a formal petition to the Psychology Department through the online petition portal for a final review with our department. You must submit a copy of your required AIP paper. If your AIP paper demonstrates the outcomes outlined in your course pre-approval, you can apply your AIP 197 toward one upper-division (UD) Psychology Elective for your Psychology major. Remember that you may only use one four-unit AIP 197 course toward your major requirements.

For more information about Curricular Practical Training (CPT), you should contact the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO), as the CPT requirement is not in our degree area of oversight. If you have questions about CPT, please email iemployment@ucsd.edu or join their Zoom Advising.