Alternative Paths Training School (Alexandria Campus)

APTS is a private, non-profit educational/vocational program for students ages 6-22 with developmental and other disabilities. APTS provides support and training assistance to students, families of the students, in-home staff, and treatment team members. The mission statement is: “to provide students with knowledge and practical skills essential for their success and integration into the community.” The students participate in a 12-month program with an extended, 7.5-hour school day. Each student that enters the program is individually assessed so that a program can be specifically designed for his or her needs. There is a 1:1.5 staff-to-student ratio so each student gets the attention they need and deserve in order to better prepare them for life in the community.

Duties:

Interns will have the opportunity to work in a research or an applied capacity or a combination of both. In terms of research, interns will assist in ongoing research on treatment outcomes and/or on standardization trials for a variety of behavioral checklists that are being developed. In terms of applied work, interns will be provided with training in assessment techniques, behavioral data collection, personal preference ratings, and helping to implement the lesson plans for the students based on the data received. They will also gain hands-on experience with the students in the classroom environment. Interns will be closely supervised by professional staff at all times

Pre-Requisites:

  1. Must meet all UMW and Department of Psychological Science internship requirements.
  2. Required courses:
    • PSYC 231 – Infant and Child Development or PSYC 232 – Adolescent and Emerging Adult Development
    • PSYC 253 – Fundamentals of Learning and Motivation
  3. Recommended courses:
    • PSYC 211 – Psychopathology
    • PSYC 320 – Psychology of Exceptional Children and Youth

Assessment:

  • 42 hours of work per credit hour (most interns do 3 credits with 126 hours of work)
  • Grade is based on on-campus supervision, agency evaluation, reflective journal, and a final paper

Agency Contact:

Chelsea Alves

Email: calves@aptsprograms.org

Address: 2525 Pointe Center Court Suite 300 Dumfries, VA  22026

Website: https://www.aptsinc.org/