1. (1) As used in ARM 24.189.640, "pre-doctoral internship" means active engagement by a student in a training program of the educational institution granting the doctoral degree.

   1. (a) Critical components of the internship must include:

      1. (i) adequate opportunity for the student to:

         1. (A) obtain professional training and scholarship;
         2. (B) work closely with professors, supervisors, and other students; and
         3. (C) acquire the habits, skills, knowledge, and insights needed to attain a doctoral degree in psychology; and

      2. (ii) adequate time to assess the student's competence including:

         1. (A) emotional stability and well-being;
         2. (B) interpersonal competence;
         3. (C) professional development; and
         4. (D) personal fitness to practice psychology.
   2. (b) The pre-doctoral internship must be at least 1500 hours in length and be completed in no less than nine months and no longer than 24 months. Twenty-five percent of internship hours must be in face-to-face contact with patients or clients.
   3. (c) Internship experience must have at least 30 hours per week at the internship site, but no more than 45 hours per week.

   4. (d) Active engagement must be documented by a log of internship activities signed by the student's academic advisor. Such activities must:

      1. (i) include both faculty-to-student and student-to-student face-to-face interaction;
      2. (ii) be conducted by the psychology faculty of the institution at least 90 percent of the time; and
      3. (iii) relate substantially to program and course content.
   5. (e) The institution must clearly document its assessment and evaluation of the student's performance.

Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-17-202, 37-17-302, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-17-302, MCA

History: NEW, 2023 MAR p. 1749, Eff. 12/9/23.