How are interns selected?
Intern applications are reviewed by internship faculty and rated using a number of site-specific criteria, including:
- goodness-of-fit with training interests and training opportunities provided at Fulton State Hospital;
- relevance of prior clinical training experiences;
- academic progress;
- intern interests in serious mental illness, personality disorders, long-term mental health care, and forensic populations;
- commitment to empirically supported treatment practices; and
- accomplishments and achievements which coincide with the rehabilitation and recovery goals of Fulton State Hospital. Intern candidates who best fit these criteria are invited for on-site visits so that they may make informed decisions regarding their selection of a suitable training site.
What is a typical work week like for an intern?
Interns are encouraged to work 40 hours per week, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. This estimate includes all major and minor rotations, meetings, and didactics. The internship faculty value balance, and support participation in interests and activities outside of work.
Are interns expected to work on the weekends?
No, interns are never on-call at night or on the weekends. Work is not taken home for confidentiality purposes and is not necessary since there is enough time during the work day to complete your work. Interns involved in the New Outlook Program will receive pagers and work cell phones for the purposes of making coaching calls. It is possible that these will occur outside regular working hours. However, more specific information about this process and establishing boundaries will be discussed with the New Outlook supervisor at the outset of assignment to the New Outlook Program.
Does FSH have any post-doctoral opportunities? Are there post-docs there now?
Fulton State Hospital frequently employs postdoctoral psychology residents. These positions, while often available, are subject to funding demands of the facility and the Department of Mental Health and may not be available on a regular basis. However, many former interns were able to secure post-doctoral funding, and several current faculty members completed their post-doctoral training hours on site.
How are major rotations selected? Do I have to select all my rotations at the beginning of the year?
The FSH internship program offers a variety of clinical rotations and emphasizes obtaining a broad experience and the generalist approach. While at FSH, both the Forensic Treatment Track and the Forensic Track interns will complete two, six-month major and two, six-month minor rotations. The Intern in the Forensic Evaluation Track will start with the Forensic Evaluation Rotation. For the intern’s second major rotation she or he will select a treatment rotation based on the intern’s interests, needs, and career goals. The two Interns in the Forensic Treatment Track select two treatment rotations based on their interests, needs, and career goals. Rotations are selected with the assistance of the Training Director at the beginning of the year following an initial orientation to the hospital and the psychology department.
What benefits are included? Are spouses and children included?
Medical dental and vision benefits are available for the intern. Family members can also be added to those plans. In addition, interns accrue 5 hours vacation and 5 hours of sick leave every pay period, or 10 hours of each per month. Interns will also receive up to three days of professional leave for off-site conferences/seminars, conference presentations, dissertation defense or related dissertation activities, or graduation and are entitled to 12 paid state holidays during the training year.
What is the cost of living in Central Missouri?
Living in Fulton is very affordable! Many interns also choose to live in Columbia, Missouri, which is about 30 miles west of Fulton. Columbia, Missouri has consistently been ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. and is home of the University of Missouri-Columbia Tigers. M…I…Z…Z…O…U! For more information, please visit the websites listed below.
For other information on surroundings areas and activities, see
Can I do research while on internship?
Yes! The Program Evaluation rotation offers interns the opportunity to participate in a number of on-going research studies. Interns will work conjointly with various Internship Training Committee members and other FSH staff on a number of research-oriented tasks. Interns working on projects will have the opportunity to assist with and be named author on various published manuscripts, abstracts, and articles.
Are there screenings or other requirements that a psychology intern has to complete to be employed at Fulton State Hospital?
All employees are required to participate in a variety of screenings for employment. Offers for internship are contingent on a saliva drug screen and criminal background check results (this includes the Sex Offender Registry, Employee Disqualification List (EDL), and Federal Agencies). Drug screens will consist of at least a nine (9) panel screen that tests for, but is not limited to, amphetamines, methamphetamines, cannabinoids (including medical marijuana and CBD), cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), methadone, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. A job offer will be withdrawn for individuals testing positive for non-prescribed controlled drugs, illegal drugs, having adulterated or substituted samples, and/or refusing to provide a sample. In addition, the following felony offenses are disqualifying offenses: all felony drug offenses, incest, endangering the welfare of a child in the first or second degree, abuse or neglect of a child, robbery in the first or second degree, arson in the first or second degree, causing catastrophe, burglary in the first degree, trafficking in children, stealing, stealing 3rd offense, forgery, financial exploitation of the elderly and disabled, identify theft, aiding escape of a prisoner, and supporting terrorism. Other felonies may require an exception from the DMH Exception Committee. For further information please go to the Department of Mental Health's disqualification page.
FSH also verifies that employees have paid Missouri State taxes the year before or were not required to. FSH employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test at the onset of employment and yearly thereafter. They are also required to receive a flu shot, unless there is a medical reason documented by their physician or a religious exception. Employees may also be subject to additional requirements related to COVID precautions set forth by Employee Health.
If I have more questions, how can I contact someone?
Please feel free to contact Jessica Sergio, PhD, Internship Training Director, either by email or by phone at 573-592-2628.