As the westernmost institution in the UNC system, Western Carolina University provides
educational opportunities to residents of the state’s western region and attracts
students from around the globe to explore the area’s vast resources.
At Western Carolina University, we view our admissions process as our opportunity
to build the community that defines our institution. We look for people eager to explore
and ready to redefine success.
Programs and courses at Western Carolina are designed to provide hands-on, applied
experience. Students engage with communities across the region as they practice their
profession in real-world environments.
Western Carolina’s unique mountain location helps fuel a vibrant campus community
with more than 170 student clubs and organizations as well as a busy performing arts
calendar and the campus’s own adventure guide service.
Western Carolina is home to 16 Southern Conference athletic teams with more than 375
student athlete competitors. WCU strives to inspire student-athletes to compete like
champions on the field and in the classroom.
Western Carolina was founded to serve the region it calls home, and that has not changed.
WCU continues to focus on regional development initiatives, engaged service and community
programs. It also partners with alumni and donors to ensure access to higher education
for deserving students in the region and beyond.
2016-2017 trainees with Training Director, Jay Manalo, and Master's Training Coordinator,
Arika Morrison
CAPS offers university counseling center training positions at both the master's and
doctoral level. In addition to becoming strong mental health generalists in the provision
of individual counseling services, trainees have the opportunity to participate in
group counseling, inter-disciplinary collaboration, outreach, consultation, campus
programs and related projects within the university community.
About CAPS
Counseling and Psychological Services operates within the Division of Student Affairs
and reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health and Wellness. Counseling and
Psychological Services is accredited by the International Association of Counseling
Services (IACS) and is a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and
Internship Centers (APPIC), the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies
(ACCTA), and the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH).
CAPS Training Program Mission
The mission of the training program is to promote the development of clinical skills
and professional identity for the next generation of mental health professionals.
This mission is accomplished through the provision of didactic training, clinical
supervision, and direct practice experiences within an interdisciplinary, supportive,
and collaborative team environment.
APA Accreditation Status
We are pleased to announce that our doctoral internship in health service psychology
is Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association
(APA) with a date of initial accreditation as September 27, 2016. Our next accreditation
site visit will occur in 2023.
Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission
on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 Email: apaaccred@apa.org Web: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Our doctoral psychology internship program is also a member of the Association of
Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC member number 2132).
APPIC Application Deadline: extended to Wednesday November 30, 2016 11:59 PM EST
APPIC Internship Matching Program Code Number: 213211
Open House (optional): late January 2017 (final date TBD)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is offering three positions for the 2017-2018
year (August 1st, 2017 – July 31st, 2018). Our 2000-hour internship program includes
opportunities for individual and group counseling, triage, crisis intervention and
initial assessment services, outreach services, consultation, psychological assessment,
and supervision of masters-level mental health trainees.
Video Our 2014 - 2015 doctoral psychology interns, Michael Tkach and Marybeth Karnstedt,
created a video for prospective internship applicants to learn more about CAPS and
our training program: Psychology Internship Video
Application Process The application is completed via the AAPI online and the APPIC Match process. We
use the standard AAPI online and do not require any additional supporting materials
beyond the standard AAPI. Applicants should include as part of their AAPI 3 references,
at least one of whom must have served as a clinical supervisor or directly observed
some of the applicant's clinical work. This internship site agrees to abide by the
APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept, or use
any ranking-related information from any intern applicant. Please visit the APPIC website for more information.
Along with the variety of services offered to all students at Western Carolina University,
Counseling and Psychological Services serves as a graduate fieldwork placement / training
site for graduate programs in counseling, clinical psychology, social work and related
programs. Students typically apply during the spring for the upcoming academic year
commitment. WCU has served as a masters-level training site for over 25 years and
has a strong commitment for effective clinical supervision, training and professional
development. Please review the flyer and application form for further information
or contact the Training Director or Master's Training Coordinator.
Application deadline for master's level training program: Monday March 13, 2017 5:00
PM EST Reference writers must complete the below WCU CAPS reference form (not a standard
letter of recommendation)
