SUNY Mental Health Internship Program Offered to Psychology A.A. Students
March 5, 2026
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. recently announced the expansion of SUNY's Mental Health Internship Program, a workforce development initiative that provides paid, hands-on learning opportunities for community college students pursuing careers in mental and behavioral health.
Launched as a pilot in Spring 2024, the program was developed by SUNY with support from the New York State Office of Mental Health to connect students with supervised internships at OMH-licensed facilities across New York. As part of the expansion, Hudson Valley Community College has joined the program, allowing students in the Psychology A.A. degree program to be eligible for internship opportunities. Eligible students must be enrolled at Hudson Valley during the internship semester and a minimum GPA of 3.25 is required. Students can apply by submitting the Psychology Internship Application. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 8.
"Paid internships provide our students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on job training while also exploring a career path that interests them," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. "Through the expansion of this program, more SUNY students will be empowered to enter the mental health field, helping more New Yorkers access these vital services, and bolstering New York State's healthcare workforce. We are proud to partner with OMH to grow this internship program and set our students on a path to a successful future."
“We are proud to join SUNY’s Mental Health Internship Program and offer this transformative opportunity to our psychology students,” said Hudson Valley Community College President Michael Brophy. “Joining this initiative reflects our shared commitment to strengthening New York’s mental health workforce while providing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for our students. By connecting our future psychology professionals with supervised internships at licensed facilities through the NYS Office of Mental Health, we are enhancing their academic journey and empowering them to make a real difference in our communities.”
Hudson Valley’s Psychology A.A. degree program serves as a SUNY Transfer Path for those interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at a SUNY four-year college or university. Students work closely with academic advisors to select courses within their field of study to obtain junior status in their chosen transfer program. The program is offered by the college’s Education and Social Sciences Department.