Training clinicians for service to disadvantaged and underserved populations is central to the mission of the Wright Institute. In the richly diverse cultural setting of the San Francisco Bay Area, our students are able to choose among many valuable training opportunities at public and private agencies. Due to the particular financial situation and funding priorities of the government of California, these agencies typically do not have funding for internship stipends. Since stipends are a requirement for APA internship accreditation, accreditation is not available to these agencies. To ensure high quality training opportunities for doctoral psychology students in California, the Wright Institute has played a leadership role in founding and supporting the California Psychology Internship Council (CAPIC). CAPIC has established training criteria and monitors the quality of CAPIC-approved internship sites.

Most Wright Institute students plan to complete their training and undertake professional careers in California. Since Wright Institute students are older (average age 34) many also have family and other responsibilities that make it impossible for them to relocate for a year in order to complete an APA accredited internship in another state. Consequently, Wright Institute students who choose not to seek an APA internship may meet their degree requirements, and the requirements of the California Board of Psychology, through a CAPIC-approved internship. For those who do choose to apply to APA accredited internships on a national basis, about 80% obtain a position on the first try. Over the past seven years Wright Institute students have done their internships in the following manner: