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The University of Texas at Austin - What Starts Here Changes The World The University of Texas at Austin Division of Student Affairs


Social Work Internship

Business Hours:
Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointment-Scheduling hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon & 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: (512) 471-3515 - Student Services Building 5th Floor
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Training Model

The training programs at CMHC are built on the premise that successful preparation of mental health professionals is dependent on the on-going development of professional competencies. Interns in our program bring many strengths, add to and expand their skill-sets and clinical knowledge base, and learn ways to respond to the evolving mental health needs of today’s university students. Our training model includes a focus on profession-specific skills that are developed through the interns’ provision of direct services and participation in targeted training activities, an emphasis on the intersection of identity and mental health, and our Self-and-Systems approach, which stresses the importance of professional self-reflection and growth.

Field Placement Description

The Counseling & Mental Health Center (CMHC) is staffed by social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed professional counselors. Direct services provided by interns include individual counseling, group interventions, crisis counseling, and prevention and outreach activities. The training activities consist of weekly individual and group supervision, membership on clinical teams, weekly seminars, and preceptorships/apprenticeships. CMHC staff who lead or provide seminars within the CMHC training programs have joint faculty appointments within the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and College of Education.

Unique Aspects of the placement

  1. August Orientation and Training. A training and orientation program, which runs from August 1 - August 31 is planned for our social work and psychology interns before the Fall Semester begins. The program is 40 hours per week for the month of August. A variety of presentations, experiential workshops, and other activities are scheduled to help interns prepare for their roles and responsibilities. In addition to the intensive training activities, informal social events are planned so that interns can build group cohesiveness and meet CMHC staff members.
  2. Training Hours. When classes begin for the Fall semester, Social Work interns begin their 20 hour per week placement for the Fall semester. The 40 hour per week Spring semester block placement begins in January.
  3. Compensation, Compensation provided through an hourly student assignment for each semester.

The CMHC staff is strongly committed to addressing the needs of all student populations, and our training programs strive to incorporate and highlight issues of difference as a fundamental part of the training experience.

Application Process

The CMHC Social Work internship program is open only to students who are enrolled in the Masters program at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. The application deadline for the 2023-2024 training year is March 22, 2024 at 5 p.m.

A complete application must include the following 3 components:

  • Resume: Please include your current placement and work history.
  • Reference forms: Two reference forms are required: One from your field instructor and one from your Social Work Practice II faculty professor. The online forms are provided below:
  • Essay question: Create a Word document (can be single-spaced) and answer the following questions in 3 pages or less.
    1. How did you decide to enter the field of Social Work?
    2. What are your clinical and personal strengths and growth areas? Please be specific in discussing these aspects of yourself. They will be a component of your training goals as an intern.
    3. Why have you chosen to apply to the UT Counseling Center as an internship site, and what is your interest in this population?
    4. Please share how you would increase your culturally-informed skills considering the impact of differences and similarities within the group. How would this support effective clinical services for students?

Field Instructor Reference Form
SW Practice II Faculty Reference Form

All 3 components above should be submitted to:

email: Alicia Garces, LCSW-S

Important Dates:

  1. Information meeting with CMHC social work staff and interns during February.
  2. Application materials submitted for review in March.
  3. Interviews are conducted in March and final selections are made in April in time for Summer and Fall registration for the following academic year.

History of Social Work Interns at CMHC

Social Work Interns from 1994 to present

For More Information

If you have any questions about our internship program or the application process, please feel free to contact Alicia Garces via e-mail at: agarces@austin.utexas.edu
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