Program Overview

Introduction to the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital Clinical Psychology Internship

The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) / Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) clinical psychology internship is one of the oldest continually offered internship sites in the United States. The internship program was founded under the scientist-practitioner model developed by Dr. David Shakow at Worcester State Hospital.

Mission and Goals

Our mission is to provide training experiences across a broad range of ages, ethnic backgrounds, types of psychopathology, clinical settings, and types of assessment and intervention approaches to prepare interns to function professionally in a variety of public sector contexts. Our allegiance is to the notion that any comprehensive view of human behavior must include assessment of functioning at different levels of organization.

Program Structure

The program offers four full-time funded internship positions which carry a salary of $41,000 per year with an additional professional allowance and benefits. Two of the positions are in the General/Severe Mental Illness track and two positions are in the Forensic Evaluation track.

Setting

The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) campus consists of the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and the UMass Memorial Health Care teaching hospital, community clinics, and outpatient services. Various outpatient internship rotations are available at UMass Chan.

Structure of the Internship

Each intern engages in training activities in three areas throughout the year:

• Core track rotations in inpatient assessment and treatment
• Other elective rotations
• Supervision, didactics, consulting, and other training programming

Supervision and Didactics

All interns receive both individual and group supervision throughout the year. In addition to weekly group supervision experiences, our program offers at least one hour of individual clinical supervision for every 16 hours of work. Interns have an extensive series of seminars, including:

• Assessment with particular emphasis on interviewing, neuropsychology, and forensic evaluation
• Culturally competency treatment and assessment
• Professional development
• Psychopathology and psychopharmacology
• Psychological treatment modalities

Research Opportunities

Although research is not a required activity, interns are encouraged to continue their own research or to participate in ongoing research in the Worcester area.

Diversity Statement

We are making diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging essential components of the missions of UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Health to advance the health and wellness of our diverse communities throughout Massachusetts and across the world.

Application and Admission

To be considered as a prospective candidate, all applicants must submit the required APPIC Online Application by 11:59 p.m. EST on Saturday, November 1, 2025, including:

• Clearly identify or list your UMass Chan/WRCH internship rotations of interest in the cover letter accompanying your application
• Graduate transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three letters of reference
• Submission of a redacted psychodiagnostic testing report

Qualifications for Prospective Applicants

The UMass Chan/WRCH Clinical Psychology Internship adheres to the selection policies and procedures as outlined in the APPIC Match Policies.

Land Acknowledgment Statement

University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is a community of learners situated within a network of historical and contemporary relationships with Native American tribes, communities, parents, students, and alumni. Worcester Recovery Center and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School campus sits on the ancestral lands of the Nipmuc people.

Additional Information

Students that match with UMass Chan/WRCH for the internship year will begin their internship on July 1, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2027. As outlined in 101 CMR 23.00, all Staff working in these settings must be vaccinated annually against seasonal influenza and remain up to date with available COVID-19 vaccines.