Thank you for your interest in The University of Alabama Counseling Center (UACC) psychology doctoral internship! The full and comprehensive program handbook and brochure are available via email at gsvanderwal@ua.edu. For other practicum or internship opportunities for counselor education and social work, or for psychology practicum opportunities, please visit our training homepage.
The University of Alabama Counseling Center (UACC) has a strong reputation for supporting the campus community. Since 2020, the center has grown significantly, reflecting the University’s commitment to mental health services. The number of licensed staff has nearly doubled, and UACC has introduced a new counselor program that places counselors in different campus departments. The University is also building a new, modern facility for the Counseling Center, expected to be finished by 2026. Additionally, UACC is creating a new internship program for doctoral health service psychology students.
UACC has been training graduate students for years and, in 2022, added an associate director position to oversee all training programs and lead the creation of the internship program. The practicum training and seminar programs were formalized, and UACC has been working towards establishing a doctoral internship program. In Fall 2024, the center became a provisional member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). This membership is a step toward launching our first group of doctoral interns. The next goals are to become a full APPIC member and to receive accreditation for the internship program from the American Psychological Association (APA).
The UACC is dedicated to developing interns who are professionally competent and capable of working autonomously at a level appropriate for advanced doctoral trainees preparing for independent licensure. Our staff operates as generalists, with specialized expertise in working with college students. We expect our doctoral interns to adopt a similar approach, becoming generalists with a focus on the college student population.
The UACC doctoral internship is ideal for those pursuing a career in college mental health. As an R1 institution with a large and diverse student body, including many out-of-state students, the University of Alabama offers a dynamic environment. The UACC follows the Comprehensive Counseling Center (CCC) Model, which interns will actively engage with throughout their internship year. The CCC Model is built around four key pillars: Clinical services, consultation and collaborative services, outreach and prevention programming, and training and education. Interns will gain experience and involvement in all four of these areas.
As doctoral interns you will be primarily interacting with the psychologist on staff, as well as senior staff members. You will also be participating in our internal staff meetings.
Staff at UACC represent various viewpoints, theoretical orientations and identities. Some staff have been part of UACC for over a decade. With our recent expansion of staff positions there are several staff who have been with UACC for less than five years. As a result of our rapid expansion, many of our staff are early in their career. Some of our staff trained with us before joining us as full-time employees.
Meet the StaffTuscaloosa, once the capital of Alabama, is now widely recognized as the home of the University of Alabama. With the UA campus at the heart of the city, it’s clear that the University is the focal point of town life. Working for the University connects you to the community in a way few other jobs can, offering membership to the most important social network in Tuscaloosa—whether you’re cheering at Bryant-Denny Stadium or enjoying the city’s lively atmosphere.
Our guide to Tuscaloosa
