The 9-12 month Psychology Practicum Program for Doctoral Level Students placement is designed for three doctoral students in psychology who are interested in developing their clinical skills and building their knowledge base. The practical application of this knowledge is in the treatment of a diverse workforce within the federal government's Intelligence Community.
Summary
The 9-12 month Psychology Practicum Program for Doctoral Level Students placement is designed for three doctoral students in psychology who are interested in developing their clinical skills and building their knowledge base. The practical application of this knowledge is in the treatment of a diverse workforce within the federal government's Intelligence Community.
The Employee Assistance Services (EAS) is the psychological treatment division of the National Security Agency (NSA). It offers clinical services to all Agency employees and their spouses. EAS is an ideal setting for practicum students to gain relevant experience working with a wide variety of presenting concerns and a broad range of diagnoses. The 9-12 month practicum placement is designed for three doctoral students in psychology who are interested in developing their clinical skills and building their knowledge base. The practical application of this knowledge is in the treatment of a professionally and clinically diverse workforce within the federal government's Intelligence Community.
The 9-12 month practicum placement requires approximately 16-20 hours per week, dependent on the practicum students' interests and the requirements of their respective graduate program (this includes administrative responsibilities and supervision preparation). Practicum students are responsible for ensuring that their hours meet criteria for their respective programs. The following is a tentative outline of weekly activities.
1. Individual Therapy (7-8 hours per week). Clients will generally be seen once a week with a ten-session limit. Some cases may be more appropriate for biweekly counseling, which can be arranged. Practicum students will be provided with a private office at EAS in which they will see clients. Practicum students will carry 7-10 individual therapy clients at a time.
2. Group Therapy. Practicum students will be provided with the opportunity to participate in co-facilitation of group therapy with a licensed EAS staff clinician. The types and dates of groups offered at EAS at any given time vary and are dependent on the EAS staff clinician offering the group.
3. Individual and Group Supervision (1-2 hours per week). Each practicum student will have one or two direct clinical supervisors for all client cases, at least one of which will be a licensed clinical psychologist. Additionally, a multi-disciplinary consultation team will be made available to the practicum student in formal and informal ways in order to provide an opportunity for the practicum student to be exposed to various treatment modalities and theoretical orientations.
4. Intake evaluation. Learning to evaluate the client and the client's situation so as to help the client make the most of their counseling is essential to the work at EAS. Practicum students will conduct an intake evaluation with clients prior to starting individual therapy. This evaluation will be conducted with a supervisor available at all times during the intake for consultation as needed, and will allow for the practicum student and supervisor to determine whether or not a particular client is appropriate for the practicum student to manage in individual therapy. At least once per semester, direct observation of an intake evaluation will occur in which the student and the supervisor will both be present in the room.
5. Clinical Meeting (1.5 hours per week; Wednesdays 12:00PM - 1:30PM). Practicum students meet with the clinical staff to present cases and to discuss particular problems or issues related to their work with clients. At least once per semester, they will be asked to give a formal case presentation to the clinical staff on a client which poses a particular challenge.
6. Workplace Consultations/Corporate Outreach. Each practicum student will participate in at least one workplace consultation/outreach activity for the workforce. Practicum students are encouraged to complete this in the fall semester.
7. Seminar (1.5 hours per week; Wednesdays 10:30AM ' 12:00PM). Practicum students are required to attend the 'Selected Topics & Clinical Application Seminar.' This seminar (conducted by staff members and visiting clinicians) focuses on a number of clinical areas in depth including: theories; application of theory; and other clinical topics (e.g., workplace consultations, substance use, collaboration within a work environment, work-life issues). Readings for the seminars are generally assigned in advance of class (all reading materials provided by EAS). During the course of the practicum placement, the practicum students will be asked to present a journal article.
8. Evaluation and Feedback. Feedback on progress will be provided in individual supervision as well as more formally throughout each semester. Practicum students are evaluated based on their ability to establish rapport with clients, integrate theory and practice, and intervene with clients.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2027-2028 program are accepted 19 September 2026 - 31 October 2026.
All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be eligible to be granted a security clearance
- Must be available for the entire 9-12 month program
- Must be available for an operational interview and other applicable processing between November 2026 and April 2027
Clearance/Security Requirements Applicants will be processed for a security clearance, and will be required to pass a psychological exam, lifestyle and counterintelligence polygraph, drug screening test, and complete a comprehensive history form that documents foreign travel, education background and employment history, among other areas.
Education
- Must be within the third year or higher of an APA-accredited counseling or clinical psychology doctoral degree program
Additional information
The NSA's Psychology Practicum Program offers a paid position. Students will earn a competitive salary commensurate with their education level.
**The salary posted references to full-time pay. Part-time salary will be calculated at Conditional Offer.
Benefits
Practicum students will receive the following benefits:
- Annual leave, sick leave and paid federal holidays
- Participation in agency-wide extracurricular programs
Students are hired on a temporary appointment, and are not eligible for health insurance, life insurance, or Thrift Savings Plan benefits.
We recognize that practicum students will be enrolled in their graduate programs and continue to take courses/meet program demands at their home school while training here. As such, practicum students will not be expected to relocate and will not be provided with funding for travel or housing.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
To be considered for the Psychology Practicum Program, submit a complete application package that includes:
- Current CV
- A cover letter addressing experience and interest in the above described practicum placement
- Official transcript(s)
- Two letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with your clinical work
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
