Although often not required, postdoctoral fellowships can be beneficial for a number of reasons. First, most states require supervised clinical hours in order to apply for licensure and sit for the EPPP. Second, while APA-accredited internships provide broad training in a number of clinical competencies, postdoctoral training provides the opportunity to get specialized training in a specific clinical population, skill set, therapy, or area of research. Third, board certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology requires postdoctoral training relevant to the area of emphasis. APA provides a useful article on the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship.
Like internship, many postdoctoral fellowships are managed through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Match. However, unlike internship, there is not a formal match process (except for clinical neuropsychology). There are also far fewer APPIC fellowship programs. At present, there are benefits to applying for an APPIC-member postdoctoral fellowship (e.g., helps to streamline the board certification process later on); however, there are also other postdoctoral fellowships that one can acquire high quality training and achieve their career goals.
Most fellowship application deadlines are in December and January. And unlike internship, fellowship applications typically do not require essays. Standard fellowship applications include a cover letter, a CV, and letters of recommendation. Some fellowships, particularly neuropsychology fellowships may additionally require work samples. If you plan to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology, please see the website for the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology.
FINDING A FELLOWSHIP
Because not all fellowship programs are members of APPIC, there is no current comprehensive list of available fellowships. However, there are a number of strategies you can use to find a postdoctoral program to match your goals and interests.
PLANNING & PACKING FOR INTERVIEW TRAVEL
Most of the tips included on the WIHPT Internship page are also useful for fellowship interviews. Keep in mind that your internship schedule may not be as flexible with travel and time off. Discuss this with your training director early on in order to know how much time you have to devote to postdoctoral fellowship interviews. Knowing ahead of time will help you prioritize your interviews.
Like internship, many postdoctoral fellowships are managed through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Match. However, unlike internship, there is not a formal match process (except for clinical neuropsychology). There are also far fewer APPIC fellowship programs. At present, there are benefits to applying for an APPIC-member postdoctoral fellowship (e.g., helps to streamline the board certification process later on); however, there are also other postdoctoral fellowships that one can acquire high quality training and achieve their career goals.
Most fellowship application deadlines are in December and January. And unlike internship, fellowship applications typically do not require essays. Standard fellowship applications include a cover letter, a CV, and letters of recommendation. Some fellowships, particularly neuropsychology fellowships may additionally require work samples. If you plan to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology, please see the website for the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology.
FINDING A FELLOWSHIP
Because not all fellowship programs are members of APPIC, there is no current comprehensive list of available fellowships. However, there are a number of strategies you can use to find a postdoctoral program to match your goals and interests.
- Consult with your graduate/internship supervisors/mentors. Many fellowships, especially new ones, are passed along through departments before a national call is made. Your supervisor may know of a recent training grant or new position opening this year.
- Stay up to date on your professional listservs. The APA internship and postdoctoral fellowship listservs provide a bi-weekly list of job announcements. These can be great resources.
- Contact leaders or training directors in your area of emphasis. If you know an institution used to have a particular fellowship, the director of training is likely to have information on whether that fellowship is still available and other opportunities.
- Consult your professional membership websites. The APA Division 22 website lists number of fellowships that span rehabilitation psychology, neuropsychology, and health psychology.
- Attend conferences. Recruiters are usually stationed at regional and national conferences to promote upcoming fellowships and fill empty positions. The APA Convention is a great place to network an learn about these opportunities.
PLANNING & PACKING FOR INTERVIEW TRAVEL
Most of the tips included on the WIHPT Internship page are also useful for fellowship interviews. Keep in mind that your internship schedule may not be as flexible with travel and time off. Discuss this with your training director early on in order to know how much time you have to devote to postdoctoral fellowship interviews. Knowing ahead of time will help you prioritize your interviews.