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Preceptorships

Preceptorships

preceptor photo

Preceptors are highly motivated students who serve as a mentor and instructional support for Psychology courses. Students can participate as a preceptor for classes they have previously taken and been successful in. They serve a unique role because they provide support both in and out of the classroom. Undergraduate preceptors are an integral part of the teaching team and have a significant role in helping foster a classroom community.

"Working with preceptors allows me to connect with students in a meaningful way.  For students hoping to go to graduate school, it's a great way to meet and work with an instructor so they have things they can talk about in grad school letters of recommendation"

-Professor Ashley Jordan

If you have taken a Psychology course that you would like to preceptor for, reach out to the instructor who teaches the course. Often, when instructors are recruiting preceptors, they will reach out to students directly. 

Seeking out a faculty member to work with will be a proactive process on your part.  While your advising team and the Psychology Department can assist with the basics, ultimately, you will be responsible for seeking out a preceptorship opportunity. Here are some tips:

  • Search for Faculty currently accepting Preceptors for available Preceptorship opportunities.
  • Check your email. Preceptorship opportunities are sent out through the Psyprep email to all students on our student listserv throughout the year.
  • Read and refer to the Psychology Hands-On Weekly Newsletters. Announcements about preceptorship opportunities are sent out in the newsletters. 
  • Visit office hours and talk to your faculty!  Your instructors might be actively looking for preceptors for the upcoming semester in one or more of their courses.  Speak with them about their courses and inquire about opportunities.

     

Contacting faculty members can seem intimidating, but professional communication is a skill you'll need your entire career, so this is a great way to practice!

  •  For each of the preceptor opportunities at the top of your list, write an email to the faculty or their designated contact, being sure to address them by their proper title, like Professor or Dr.  (not "hey")
  • You email should say, in your own words, your grade level, major, and you are looking for a preceptor position.  You are particularly interested in their opportunity because…(some of this can be from the web site review you did, but keep it short).  Then ask if they have any open positions and if so, you would like the opportunity to be considered for it.  You can attach a resume if you like.  Make sure that your email is grammatically correct, that all the words are spelled correctly, and that you don’t use text-messaging short cuts, like “i” instead of “I.” 
  • See our Email Etiquette Guide for help writing a successful email.
  • Be patient, yet persistent. Faculty members receive a lot of emails each day, and you should be prepared to wait 3-5 business days during the fall/spring semester. Most faculty do not work regularly during the summer, so response times will be slower.
  • If you have not heard back within the 3-5 business days, follow up in the same email thread as this is a standard professional practice.

Working with the faculty member teaching the course, fill out an Independent Study form. 

  • Select PSY 391 or PSY 491 as the course number.  Students who are Juniors should select PSY 391 and Seniors should select PSY 491
  • Completed forms should be emailed to Psychology-Advising@email.arizona.edu, or brought in person to Psychology room 312.
  • You will be enrolled in your preceptorship units within 3-5 business days.