Psychology & Social Policy Track

Since its earliest days, Boston has been a progressive site for thinking and innovation regarding the role of the individual and society. Now home to some of the world’s most respected research hospitals, universities, and institutes, Boston continues to examine ways to best address social issues and develop appropriate policies and social service systems.

Students in the Psychology & Social Policy track explore some of the complex issues facing American society, including race, health care, aging, and the role of the family. Please note that if students are placed in a clinical environment during the Internship Phase, direct patient contact will be limited and, at some sites, may not be possible.

"I enjoyed my classes, I made some great friends, and I really enjoyed being able to explore a new city and tap into the amazing sites and events Boston has to offer."
Kelly McGee, Bucknell University
Intern, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Summer 1: The Academic Phase
(May 21 - June 28, 2013)

You'll spend your first six weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program taking two 4-credit courses chosen from the following offerings in psychology and social policy. The course section has descriptions and schedules.

Select Two:

  • CAS PH 251 Medical Ethics
  • CAS PH 266 Mind, Brain, and Self
  • CAS PS 211 Introduction to Experimental Design in Psychology
  • CAS PS 234 Psychology of Learning
  • CAS PS 241 Developmental Psychology
  • CAS PS 251 Psychology of Personality: Theories and Application
  • CAS PS 325 Experimental Psychology: Personality
  • CAS PS 332 Behavioral Medicine
  • CAS PS 333 Drugs and Behavior
  • CAS PS 338 Neuropsychology
  • CAS PS 371 Abnormal Psychology
  • CAS PS 372 Psychological Perspectives on War and Peace
  • CAS SO 205 American Families
  • MET PS 222 Creativity
  • MET PS 330 Leadership in the Workplace

Summer 2: The Internship Phase
(July 8 - August 16, 2013)

For the second six weeks of the program, you’ll be placed as an intern in a Boston-area organization or business that matches your interests and experience. You should expect to work five days a week for a minimum of 35 hours. Most internships are unpaid.

Psychology & Social Policy Internship Opportunities

Psychology & Social Policy Internship placement opportunities are available at non-profit organizations; social service agencies; mental health centers; early childhood development programs; and adolescent programs and counseling services.

Internship Placement

  • Guaranteed internship placement for 35 hours a week
  • Internship matches are based on your interests, abilities, and experience, as well as employer and industry norms (Please note: Opportunities with direct client contact are limited and might be only a relatively small portion of the internship experience)
  • All internship sites are accessible by public transportation
  • Visit our Placement Process page for additional information

Summer Study Internship Course
(May 24 - August 16, 2013)

The Summer Study Internship Program's 2-credit Internship Course meets on Fridays throughout Summer 1 and on three evenings in Summer 2. The primary emphasis of this course is to explore links between your academic track and your on-site professional experience, and to provide support and guidance as you prepare for your placement.

Internship Profile

Student: Michael Bodem

Career Track: Psychology & Social Policy

Courses: Introduction to Experimental Design in Psychology; Behavioral Medicine

Internship Site: The Trauma Center, Justice Resource Institute

On the job: The Trauma Center, a program of the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, Mass., is a leader in the field of trauma research and therapy techniques established by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of psychological trauma. The center has conducted revolutionary research in the field, including studies on the efficacy of yoga as a therapeutic technique. My work there involved coding information and setting up statistical analyses of data for a new type of therapy they've developed, called SMART. I also conducted literature reviews of relevant background research and associated articles, which means I earned the right to be cited when the Trauma Center issues publications related to SMART - or possibly even co-authorship of one of their articles.

Perspectives: What I liked most about the whole internship experience was the work I got to do, and how I really felt connected with the research team. I was treated like a member of the team, and not just some intern. It made me feel like I was really a part of something. Also, I was happy that I was productive over the summer and did much more than work at a typical summer job. I was able to watch the work I did during my internship evolve into near-completion.