The training of mental health professionals is part of the CAPS mission to serve the Purdue community. CAPS social work internship training follows a practitioner model that integrates practice, theory, and research as the foundation of clinical work. Through an intensive, supervised experience in the counseling center — working alongside a multicultural, interdisciplinary team in a mentor/apprenticeship environment — trainees build foundational clinical skills and a positive professional identity.
The priority is building foundational clinical skills, with strong support to help trainees learn and grow.
Growth occurs through a collaborative trainee-supervisor relationship.
Social work interns will have the opportunity to learn from a diverse, interdisciplinary staff. Social work interns are provided time to reflect on and integrate their experiences to promote growth and professional confidence.
More structure is provided early and more autonomy is provided as competencies grow.
CAPS staff provide a broad range of clinical expertise and experience.
The CAPS training program uses various learning methods including practical experiences, modeling, process-based activities, group, didactic, experiential and self-guided learning. CAPS provides an environment that is supportive and challenging and based in part on the trainees’ self-assessments.
Theory, research and practice mutually inform each other. Social work interns are encouraged in their pursuit of observing, inferring, formulating, and evaluating clinical hypotheses.
Last modified: November 3, 2026