GRADUATE EDUCATION/TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Education and training of future professionals is an important aspect of the WIHD mission. We offer formal training programs for graduate-level and post-graduate training in the following disciplines:
AUDIOLOGY
The Speech and Hearing Center is a clinical placement site for fourth year audiology students enrolled in doctoral programs at various universities. Under the supervision of WIHD’s staff audiologists, the students provide the gamut of diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services to children and adults. In addition, they participate in the LEND Program.
For more information, please contact:
Mindy Schmelzer, AuD
Supervisor of Audiology
(914) 493-8186
PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING
WIHD has several extern, intern, and post-doctoral psychology training positions that are filled through a competitive process each year. Psychology externs receive assessment and therapeutic training in a supervised part-time child welfare position. Psychology interns and post-doctoral fellows are trained in a twelve-month supervised experience during which they gain competence (clinical, assessment, consultation, and research) in child welfare, pediatric disabilities, and behavioral psychology fields. In addition, psychology interns and post-doctoral fellows participate in the LEND Program.
SOCIAL WORK
WIHD provides a rich educational experience for undergraduate and graduate level social work interns. Social work interns are placed within the Child Welfare Department and are offered a range of clinical, administrative, and research opportunities selected to meet their individual interests and career goals. Students participate in a weekly student seminar that enhances their learning experiences by providing a forum to discuss topics related to the child welfare system, trauma, abuse and neglect as well as other topics. Some of the graduate students participate in the LEND Program.
For more information, please contact:
Trupti Rao, Psy.D.
Director of Child Welfare Services and Psychology Training
Office: 914-493-8141
SPECIAL EDUCATION
The student teaching internship of the Learning Evaluation and Achievement Program (LEAP) provides interns pursuing a Masters degree in childhood special education with field experience in teaching children with a range of educational disabilities. Interns collaborate with the LEAP supervisor to focus on utilizing multiple methods of instruction to accommodate a broad range of learners. Formal and informal feedback is provided regularly to assist interns in reflecting on their performance, and developing goals and strategies to support the foundation from which they can begin to develop their professional practice.
For more information, please contact:
Teresa Speranza, M.A.
Educational Coordinator, Child Welfare Services
(914) 493-2629
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
WIHD accepts up to four students per semester pursing their master’s degree in speech-language pathology (total 12) from various universities. Training and supervision are provided in both diagnostics and therapy for individuals with a wide range of communication disorders across the lifespan.
WIHD also provides medically based speech-language pathology training and supervision for graduate students from New York Medical College. These students participate in various departments at the Westchester Medical Center.
For more information, please contact:
Speech and Hearing Department at WIHD
(914) 493-7294
Practicum Opportunity with NYMC SHSP MPH Program
Westchester Institute for Human Development offers practicum opportunities for Masters in Public Health (MPH) students at New York Medical College (NYMC) School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP). The practicum provides students with a structured public health practice experience focused on issues of importance to children and adults with disabilities and their families.
For more information about the practicum opportunities available at WIHD, please contact communications@wihd.org or call 914-493-1235.