Field Study Course (Psych 455) Fall 2024
Overview
The Field Study course in psychology offers junior or senior students an opportunity to use coursework in psychology and related fields in a variety of agency settings in the community. Students will be expected to be in the placement setting nine hours per week during general business hours (8-5). Students usually find it easiest to obtain their hours if they have larger blocks in their schedules. The course class will meet on Tuesdays evenings 6:30PM. Classes will run between one to one and a half hours, depending on the number of students enrolled, the agenda, and discussion. Students will be required to complete a final written project and class presentation. Students have the opportunity to explore employment opportunities and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired at Hamilton prior to making graduate school or employment decisions. Placements are assigned based on interests, prior experience, availability, and match between student skills and agency needs. Supervision will be provided by a field instructor in the placement setting and the course instructor to ensure the quality of the experience. Students may use their own vehicle or pursue transportation through the Transportation Department to get to and from their placement. Interested students are to submit an application and resume to Professor Jacobson no later than April 5th: ejacobso@hamilton.edu.
Placement Options
Center for Family Life and Recovery: services designed to provide prevention and treatment programs to individuals and families experiencing substance abuse and addiction. Opportunities may include developing educational materials, shadowing staff who provide groups or those who provide outreach and referrals for individuals and families.
Clinton Early Learning Center: work with infants – preschoolers and staff development initiatives. Work directly in the classrooms as an aide. Amazing opportunity get exposed to different developmental ages within the semester.
Emmaus House: shelter for homeless women and children and hospitality house for families of patients hospitalized or in treatment in the Utica area. Opportunities may include assisting with intakes and house operations, interacting with residents, and specialty projects.
House of the Good Shepherd: residential and community based treatment programs for emotionally disabled children and adolescents. Students may work in the school, cottages of residence, Residential Treatment Facility (RTF), the diagnostic residential program (MACS) or the community as part of an interdisciplinary team. There are also opportunities in development and public relations.
Kelberman Center: work within specialized preschool or clinic programs with children and/or adults with autism spectrum disorders.
Presbyterian Home and Services: skilled nursing facility for the elderly and disabled. Students will work with individuals and their families to adjust to residential living and issues of end-of-life care.
Mohawk Valley Health Systems: community hospital. opportunities to gain experience as a patient advocate, case manager, or therapy aide.
The Root Farm: opportunities to work with educational and therapeutic services for people of all ages needing healing from traumatic injury, illness or developmental disabilities.
School Settings: elementary, middle, high school and alternative schools in Oneida County. Students may work with counselors, psychologists, social workers, speech therapists or teachers. Responsibilities may include working with individuals or groups of students with behavioral or developmental challenges and participating in classroom activities, parent meetings, child study teams and Committee on Special Education meetings.
Thea Bowman House: pre-school and daycare program for inner city children, including a large refugee population. Students may work in classrooms and participate in interagency meetings addressing the needs of these children and families.
Upstate Caring Partners: opportunities to work within specialized preschool, school-age, or adult programs with children and/or adults with intellectual disabilities with and without autism spectrum disorders.
Utica National Insurance Company: property and casualty insurance company. Students will work in Human Resources Department on projects and activities related to staff development and training, employee benefits or marketing.
**Please note: Additional placements may be developed based on student interest and experience**