Introduction

This chapter serves to establish the importance of the internship year for school psychologists in training. The internship is considered within a contemporary school psychology training and practice context, including domains of competence, a tiered delivery system, and outcomes described in the National Association of School Psychologists Practice Model. The notion that interns can be both learners and leaders during their internship experience is illustrated. Essential concepts such as the differences between practicum and internship experiences, what is supervision, the importance of critical thinking, and frameworks of development of learning are introduced. Chapter 1 concludes with a timeline of events from the beginning of a school psychology program through getting a job as a school psychologist; this is a primer for topics covered later in this book, situating the internship year as a pivotal link from school psychology training to practice.