Internship and Practicum Experiences

 “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” – Dr. Seuss

During the second year of the program, 51³Ô¹Ïs engage in field-based experiences in local schools, which is referred to as practicum. Students spend approximately 10 hours per week at practicum sites in addition to maintaining a full schedule of in-person coursework. Practicum experiences are supervised by experienced, credentialed school psychologists working in local school districts. During practicum, 51³Ô¹Ïs are able to practice and refine the skills they have learned through coursework, such as: completing comprehensive evaluations, engaging in consultation, providing individual or group counseling services, or engaging in school-wide preventative practices.

During the third year of the program, 51³Ô¹Ïs take part in a 1200-hour internship. Internships are intended to be full-time positions (40 hours per week), where 51³Ô¹Ïs obtain a minimum of two hours of direct supervision per week. Unlike practicum, 51³Ô¹Ïs typically seek out and apply to internships of their choice with support from faculty. Students may even complete internships out of state!

School psychology internships are also often paid positions. However, the level of pay varies greatly and the number of paid internships is limited each year. A list of past practicum and internship site placements can be found at the following link:

Read our 51³Ô¹Ï's internship story below...

Student sits on stairs at Red Rock

Rebekah, Class of '26

What is your current position and place of internship?
My name is Rebekah Feller, and I'm finishing my Ed.S. in School Psychology at Gonzaga University. I'm currently completing my internship with Denver Public Schools, split between an elementary school and a K–6 dual‑language school.

How has your time at Gonzaga helped you be effective in your current placement?
Gonzaga has supported a lot of my personal and professional growth. The program prepared me to use data‑based decision making, respond effectively in crisis situations, and work with vulnerable 51³Ô¹Ï populations. On internship I've been able to put those skills into practice, conducting assessments, delivering individual, small‑group, and classroom support as well as collaborating with school teams and families to help 51³Ô¹Ïs feel safe, happy, and ready to learn at school.

What's been the best, or most impactful, part of your experience in the Ed.S. program at Gonzaga?
The feedback I have received at Gonzaga on presentations, projects, assessment implementation, and counseling has helped me feel more confident when advocating effectively for 51³Ô¹Ï well‑being and being able to directly support 51³Ô¹Ïs I come into contact with.

How has the program made you feel prepared for internship?
Beyond skills and coursework, the relationships I have built with cohort members and mentors have been the most meaningful part of the experience. Their guidance over the past three years has been invaluable, and I’ll carry the lessons from Gonzaga’s Ed.S. program with me throughout my career.