Frequently Asked Questions by Applying Students

Home Field Study Program Frequently Asked Questions by Applying Students

I have a job as well as being a full time student, can I do field study?

The majority of students who complete field study are working 5-30 hours a week in addition to taking two other academic courses besides field study. It is difficult to do it all but most students find ways to move around their work and school schedule in order to have time for their internship and other field study activities.

Do most students take field study and then three other courses?

No. It is not recommended that you take more than two other courses alongside your field study. Field study is very demanding of your time both logistically and emotionally. You will need all the time you can get to reflect carefully on your experience and allow yourself much needed “down time.” Students who take 20 units during field study are usually sorry they did or unable to complete their courses. If you’ve never taken 20 units before I strongly urge you not to try during field study.

I’m an intensive Psych major, have other intensive psych majors found time to fit research and field study during their time here?

Yes! Research and field study can be done simultaneously or staggered (junior year research, senior year field study). Plan early and you can do it.

If one quarter of field study can count toward my upper division requirements, what area will they count toward?

That depends on what is between your ears. Whatever area you want to focus on in your academic project or where your thinking usually takes you is the area that best matches your field study.

Example: A student works in a special education setting. If she is very interested in speech pathology maybe she’ll focus on an aspect of how children learn how to speak or a particular philosophy of speech aquisition and complete an academic project working with a cognitive psychologist. That same student maybe interested in special education as a system and look at school reform and effects of the system on individuals and families, that sounds like social area focus. Or maybe that same student wants to compare typical development of a particular age group to atypically developing kids she works with, that would be developmental. Maybe she’s fascinated by children and psychotherapy and wants to look in depth at play therapy or children’s understanding of trauma, etc. That sounds like personality.

Do I need to know where I’m going to be an intern before I apply?

No. Apply first and we’ll work together to find you a placement that is something you are interested in. If you are curious about placements, you'll find a partial listing of positions here.Or you can visit the online database at http://www.careercenter.ucsc.edu/internships/. Search the database for all placements for the Psychology Field Study Program.

How are students chosen for field study?

Students are chosen for field study based on three criteria: qualification, preparation, and class standing. All students who are senior or junior declared psychology majors in good academic standing are qualified for field study. Students with some upper division work, demonstrated interest in the program and maturity are ready for the demands of field study. Seniors are accepted first, junior transfers are accepted second and juniors as there is room. You may be absolutely ready for field study but deferred until the following quarter due to a lack of room in the program. Don’t despair, your time will arrive.

How many students are accepted into field study?

As many as there are faculty to sponsor you. This number changes during the year and year to year. Typically no more than 85 students do field study during any one quarter.

Do I have to find a faculty member to sponsor me?

No. Please don’t. I will assign you a faculty member to work with based on your learning goals for the quarter and the placement you’ve chosen to work with. I honor requests as best I can but can’t promise that I can match you with your professor of choice.

Does the field study program coordinator place us in an agency or do we get to choose?

You will choose where you interview, the agency will choose whether you will be an intern and the coordinator is there to guide you through the process. After you apply and are accepted into field study you’ll meet with the coordinator to discuss your interests and get ideas about placements that may interest you. You’ll interview with three agencies and then choose among your offers.

When do I need to apply?

You’ll apply the quarter before you wish to begin field study. Orientaions and deadlines can give you more info.

I already know where I want to be an intern, what if it’s an agency that is new to the Field Study Program?

Talk with the coordinator about your situation, often something can be worked out if the agency is not already a placement.