VIPCare Internships are individually designed. In addition to participating in appropriate parts of VIPCare's Certified Pastoral Counselor Formation Program described above, Interns function as part-time members of the VIPCare staff and see VIPCare clients. Interns develop caseloads, cultivate referral sources and participate with staff in administrative meetings and peer consultations. The Internships often include individual and small group supervision; interdisciplinary case study; reading seminars; participation in workshops and pre-marriage seminars; experience with psychological testing; and providing individual, family and group pastoral counseling. Interns write weekly reflection papers on their spiritual and professional journeys.

The VIPCare Internship is designed to move toward Certified Pastoral Counselor, or Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

VIPCare encourages M.Div./M.S.W. dual degree students intending to become pastoral counselors to apply for a VIPCare Internship as a 2nd year MSW field placement. Internship admission criteria for dual degree students are:

Applications for the VIPCare Internship are also received in conjunction with earning a Master's in Pastoral Counseling, or a D. Min. in Pastoral Counseling at schools such as Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, graduate schools of the Richmond Theological Consortium, Eastern Mennonite University, or Loyola Pastoral Counseling Department in Columbia, Maryland.

Internship admission criteria for non-dual degree students include the Certified Pastoral Counselor Formation Program requirements, plus evidence of at least 25 hours of prior personal psychotherapy, and a minimum of 100 hours of experience in providing counseling under supervision. Those accepted as Interns have generally been previously enrolled in an AAPC Pastoral Counseling Program, or are experienced in another mental health discipline. Applications should be submitted by May 1. Late applications are accepted when space is available.

Finances: Internship tuition is based on the cost of learning units negotiated with the faculty. Around $5,500 tuition (payable directly to VIPCare) usually covers September through May costs to meet Richmond Theological Consortium Field Placement requirements. Individual supervision cost is $75 per hour, and standard tuition is charged for classes. Scholarship assistance may be available through the Carpenter Foundation Grant, the Homeward Grant, the Oglesby Endowment, or the Goodykuntz Fund. A small salary for the Intern will be covered out of revenue generated from the Intern's VIPCare clients, at a negotiated hourly rate stated in the Intern's contract.

The VIPCare Internship Certificate is awarded upon completion of at least one year as an Intern, including faculty approval of the Learning Project on a topic of the Intern's choice.