Early Field Experiences

Early Field Experience offers students the opportunity for supervised experiences in a psychologically oriented work environment with diverse client populations. Students can take PSY 4763 Early Field Experiences in Psychology as an advanced elective (3 credits). Early Field is offered only during the summer term.

Qualifications and requirements

• Prerequisite: PSY 1013.
• Students should complete all steps to register before the end of the Spring Semester.
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 volunteer hours at a psychologically oriented agency.
• All placements must be approved by the psychology department's early field education faculty advisor, Titus Asbury, Ph.D.

Steps to successful placement and registration

All of the following must be completed before enrolling in PSY 4763.

Step 1: Find a local placement site with a volunteer opportunity pertaining to psychology. We suggest:

• Denton County Friends of the Family
• Denton County Schools
• Volunteermatch.org

Step 2: Once you select a potential placement you are interested in pursuing, call each agency to make an appointment for an interview.

Step 3: Attend the interview. The purpose of the interview is to visit the agency, to begin to get acquainted with the way the agency functions, and to discuss placement and subsequent student career goals with the supervisor.  Many agencies require attendance to an orientation.  Please note orientations will count toward your total volunteer hours.

Many agencies have standardized goals and activities statements. If they do not have goals, you must discuss these with the agency supervisor. The goals are essentially what they expect of you at the placement.

Step 4: You are expected to make a set schedule and adhere closely to the specific days and times you have agreed to be at the site. You are expected to work approximately 6 to 7 hours per week during the summer semester. You must complete at least 60 hours over the course of a ten-week summer term.

Step 5: Determine from your supervisor when the agency orientation/training will occur. Most sites have mandatory orientations that you must attend before starting.

Step 6: Notify Dr. Asbury about your placement, and he will email you the registration code for the class. Registration is completed via the Express Registration area of the Pioneer Portal. The course assignments are online with weekly assignments in addition to field work.

Questions?

Contact Otter Day, MS, at otter.day@twu.edu.

Page last updated 3:49 PM, February 20, 2023