FAQs for student intern application
What internship placement is available within BHSD for AY2025?
| Internship Site | MSW Final Year | MFT Final Year (150 direct client hr max) | PCC Year (280 direct client hr) | BASW | available spot | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Plumas (Youth) | ✓ | ? | ✗ | ✗ | 1 | Spanish |
| Guadalupe Clinic (Juvenile Hall) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 1 | |
| Narvaez (Adult Outpatient) | ✓ | ✓ | ? | ✗ | 2 | |
| Gender Clinic (Outpatient) | ✗ | ✓ | TBD | ✗ | 1 | |
| Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) | ✓ | ? | ? | ✗ | 1 | |
| Alexian (CFCS) | ✗ | ✓ | TBD | ✗ | 1 | |
| Sunnyvale (Children Outpatient) | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 1 | Spanish |
| FDR Collaborative Court | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | TBD | |
| Navigator Program | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | 2 | Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, or Mandarin |
| ✓ - Yes, accept application | ✗ - Unable to accept | ? - Difficult, but may consider | ||||
Q: How many direct client hours can I gain through a BHSD internship? Do you have a placement for PCC/MFT Dual Track Student who require 280 direct client hours?
A: All the BHSD internship sites are comfortable meeting MFTT requirements (150 direct client hours plus 75 client advocacy hours). However, meeting the PCC requirement of 280 hours of direct client services at one site is extremely challenging. This year, we have not been able to identify a program/arrangement yet. In the past, some students extended their internship term till August to complete the hours and it was still challenging. We will post here if there is any update.
Q: I am looking for an internship opportunity starting before August 2024. Can I still apply?
A: At this time, all the internships start in late August ~ early September 2024 as a cohort. We are unable to accommodate an internship schedule outside of this cohort schedule.
Q: What if my school does not have a clinical affiliation program with County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services?
A: Clinical Affiliation Contract is required before the interview. It usually takes 5-12 months for the contract to be finalized. If you would like us to explore a new clinical affiliation contract with your school, please have your school contact personnel contact us several months in advance. Below are the schools/programs with current clinical affiliation.
- Cal State Monterey MSW Program
- National University MFT Program
- Santa Clara University MFT/PCC Program
- San Jose State University BASW, MSW, MFT/PCC Program
- University of San Francisco MFT Program
- University of California Berkeley MSW Program
- Palo Alto University MFT Program
- William Jessup MFT Program
- San Francisco State University MSW Program
Q: I am interested in your program and want to know more. Where can I get more information?
A: The Virtual Open House was held on Friday, January 19, 2024. Overall internship program and available placement opportunities were introduced. If you missed the event, you may email [email protected] and request a copy of PPT and/or recording.
Q: Can I choose which site/program to be placed or do you assign me?
A: Through the Open House and initial interview, you will identify 1-2 preferred placements to interview. Then after the site interview, you will report back to BHSD Intern Program with ranking/preference of your placement. We won’t place you in a program without your agreement.
Q: What is the schedule requirement for the internship program?
A: For the final year master’s student, 720 total hours (20-24 hours a week for 9 months) is required. For the BASW student and the first year MSW student, 480 total hours is required. You will have to be available on Thursdays and some other days for required training and group supervision/consultation. Most of the BHSD program hours are Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. We do not have evening/weekend only placement.
Q: Do you have a remote/virtual internship available?
A: No. All our clinics/programs are in person. You will have to report to our clinic/program site in person.
Q: I want to schedule an interview. Who should I contact?
A: Please first submit the BHSD Application for Student Intern Program form and send it to [email protected], along with your cover letter and resume. We will send you a link to sign up for an initial interview with the intern program. Please see our website for forms.
*Two letters of recommendation and Fall Semester Field Evaluation can be submitted at later date.
Q: What documents do I need to submit?
Cover Letter (3-page limit)
A letter including reasons for applying, (e.g., personal interest, academic interest), areas of specialization and expertise and any other pertinent information in such a manner that proposal evaluators may reasonably formulate an opinion about the level of interest in providing services by Intern applicant. Please include your name, email, mailing address, telephone number, name of the school & program enrolled and your signature.
BHSD Student Intern Program Application Form
Please make sure all the items are answered on the application form. Incomplete application won’t be considered. You may attach a separate document; it is not acceptable to put “see resume” or “see cover letter”.
Resume (2-page limit)
A description of the intern applicant including skills, areas of specialization and expertise, and any other pertinent information related to the Intern applicant’s qualifications in providing services.
Letters of Recommendation (2 letters)
Two (2) letters of recommendation. Include the name and address of the organization, the name, email and telephone number of a contact person, and a description of the relationship with the applicant. One (1) letter shall be academic and one (1) shall be non-academic professional. These letters need to be sent to [email protected] by either directly from referees or a student applicant.
Fall Semester Field Evaluation
For all the final year MSW students must submit a copy of the evaluation when available. This document may come after the interviewing process as it may not be available at the time of application.
This may not apply to some MFT students if there is no field experience during the first year.
Q: When Do I need to submit all the above documents?
A: A Cover Letter, Letter of Interest, Resume, and Application Form are required before scheduling an interview. The initial deadline for these application documents is February 5, 2024.
We may continue accepting the application for vacant placements till all the placements are filled. Two letters of recommendation and Fall Semester Field Evaluation can come later when available but must be submitted before the placement is finalized.
Q: I am interested in applying for the Stipend Program. What is the qualification and how do I apply?
A: We have limited Workforce Education & Training (WET) Stipends available for final-year master’s students. The maximum amount of the stipend is $14,897.53 ($12,960 after Medicare/SS/Disability Insurance fee deduction) per academic year. You will need to complete 720 hours of internship and also work full-time in the Public Behavioral Health System in Santa Clara County for a minimum of 1 year after graduation. Please clearly indicate your language capability, diverse cultural background, or personal or work experience with an unserved/underserved population in the application documents and let us know your interest in applying for the stipends.
Q: What does the supervision look like?
A: You will have at least one hour of individual supervision from your site supervisor who is a licensed clinician. You will also receive periodical group supervision/consultation with other student interns placed throughout the BHSD programs.
Q: How many interns do you take every cohort/year?
A: For FY25, we plan to have 10 to 14 student interns throughout the BHSD department.
Q: How do I let you know that I am interested in the stipend?
A: You can indicate that you are interested in the cover letter you submit, but it is not required as we will ask about stipend interest in the interview. There is no separate deadline for the stipend, all material is due February 5th. You will know if you are awarded the stipend after the placement with the BHSD Internship Program is finalized.
Q: Can I do an internship at more than one site/program/agency?
A: No. In order for us to train you for a future clinician in BHSD system, we need you to dedicate your effort in one program. We do not do “dual sites” or “split internship”.