The Winter Institute
The Center for Deployment Psychology's Pathways to Military Behavioral Health Careers: The Winter Institute offers three days of training and information for behavioral health providers interested in serving military-connected populations. Participants can register to attend the modules separately or can register for all three days.
2025 Winter Institute (WI) application is now CLOSED. Applications are considered on a rolling admission basis, and the application cycle will continue through 16 December 2024. We encourage people to apply early to ensure there are still openings in the program. Due to high demand, we anticipate the program will reach capacity quickly. No late application will be accepted.
Please note: The social work track has reached capacity and we are no longer able to accept any additional participants.
Application Links:
The application period for the 2025 Winter Institute has CLOSED
Curriculum:
Through online didactics, panels, and group discussions led by CDP faculty and experts in the field, participants learn about:
- Different types of clinical experiences and assessments conducted
- Warrior ethos, deployment cycle stress, military family challenges, and resilience factors
- Situations related to unique challenges faced by providers working with military-connected patients
All training is offered at no cost and will be delivered via Zoom teleconferencing.
Days 1 & 2: 14-15 January 2025
Designed for doctoral students in clinical or counseling psychology and social work students pursuing their MSW to learn what it would be like to serve as an active-duty behavioral health provider in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. The program provides participants with first-hand knowledge of military culture and the work of military psychologists and social workers who treat active-duty service members.
Intended for:
Individuals who meet criteria to join the military and are interested in learning about serving in the Army, Navy, or Air Force as an active-duty behavioral health provider.
Course Highlights:
- A chance to interact with psychologists and social workers from different military branches
- A panel discussion with military psychology internship training directors and a panel with military social work leaders
- Specific guidance on next steps to achieve a military career
Day 3: 16 January 2025
Designed for behavioral health providers to learn about behavioral health opportunities within the US Public Health Service, US Coast Guard, National Guard / Reserve, and the Veterans Health Administration.
Intended for:
Individuals who are interested in learning about additional paths to uniformed service and other options for serving military-connected patients.
Course Highlights:
- A chance to interact with psychologists and social workers from various agencies serving military-connected patients.
- Specific guidance on next steps to pursue a career in one of the agencies listed above.
Questions can be emailed to cdp-pathways-gg@usuhs.edu.
Application Links: The application period for the 2025 Winter Institute has CLOSED
Who Should Apply?
This year, students can choose to apply for the track/content that best meets their needs.
Psychology Track Qualifications:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Enrolled in an APA accredited, doctoral-level clinical or counseling psychology program
- Aware of age/physical health requirements to become a uniformed provider
- Exploring options for a military internship in the U.S. Army, Navy or Air Force
Social Work Track Qualifications:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Enrolled in a CSWE accredited MSW program
- Aware of age/physical health requirements to become a uniformed provider
- Exploring options for a military internship or fellowship in the U.S. Army, Navy or Air Force
Additional Behavioral Health Pathways Track Qualifications:
- Either enrolled in OR graduated from an accredited, doctoral-level psychology or MSW program
- Exploring options for a career in the U.S. Public Health Service, Coast Guard, National Guard, or VA as a behavioral health provider
Location and Logistics
Location:
The Winter Institute is offered online via the Zoom platform.
Logistics:
- The Winter Institute is offered at no cost to students.
- Course Hours: 10 AM to 6:30 PM (EST). Please note that the course hours are tentative and are subject to change.
Application Process
There are different tracks available for Winter Institute. Student can apply to whichever track(s) that are of interest to them:
- Psychology Track – Two-day training designed for doctoral-level psychology students who are interested in learning about a military internship in the Army, Navy, or Air Force
- Social Work Track – Two-day training designed for social work MSW students who are interested in learning about a military internship/fellowship in the Army, Navy, or Air Force
- Additional Behavioral Health Pathway Track – One-day training designed for BOTH social work and psychology students interested in learning about career options in the US Public Health Service, Coast Guard, National Guard, or the VA
All aspects of each applicant's qualifications and other factors are reviewed and considered during the application process.
Applicants will be notified via email when a decision is available about their application.