The Student Affairs Internship experience is designed to extend and expand upon the practicum experience. Therefore, in order to be eligible to register for the internship course, students must first successfully complete the practicum course.

Internship is one of the most important and unique courses within the Student Affairs program. It is designed to provide a blend of practical experience in a setting similar to that in which the student expects to be employed. Within this context, on-site supervision is provided by the field supervisor (host), and individual/group processing of the experience is provided by the university instructor. The final course grade is determined by the university instructor with input from the site host.

INTERNSHIP SITE

An appropriate site is one where the student can become familiar with a variety of student affairs services and activities including direct work with the student population. It allows the student to obtain supervised experience in organization development and interaction with clientele appropriate to their program area (students, prospective students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, outside agencies, etc.) and provides the opportunity for participation in a wide range of professional resources and activities. The site should have a host who is available to work with the student, who possesses a degree and/or certifications equivalent to that for which the student is preparing, and who has a minimum of two years of professional experience. All internship sites must be approved by the university instructor.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Responsibilities

1. To obtain an appropriate site location for the internship experience.

2. To develop, with the internship supervisor, a Prospectus which outlines the details of the internship arrangement.

3. To adhere to the policies and operational procedures of the host organization.

4. To complete a minimum of 600 hours of supervised internship experience, including 60 hours of direct service with agency clientele.

5. To complete all assignments, including readings, reports, case studies, internship journal, and evaluation forms issued by the instructor.

6. To attend and participate fully in all course seminars.

7. To maintain confidentiality of client, school, or agency information.

8. To maintain professional liability insurance appropriate for the site location.

9. To seek prior written approval for any and all research conducted within the host organization.

10. To provide the instructor with a schedule indicating when the student will be at the host site.

11. To exercise courtesy and professionalism in dealing with all individuals either in class or at the host organization.

Instructor Responsibilities

1. To approve the host site.

2. To approve the Prospectus developed by the internship student and the supervisor.

3. To consult with the host regarding student progress.

4. To provide one hour per week of individual supervision for the internship student.

5. To provide one and one-half hours per week of group supervision for the internship student.

6. To maintain confidentiality regarding client information obtained during supervisory sessions.

7. To evaluate and submit a grade for the student.

Host Responsibilities

1. To interview prospective internship students and indicate preference for placements.

2. To develop, with the internship student, a Prospectus which outlines the details of the internship arrangement.

3. To orient the student to the purpose, goals, and operating procedures of the organization.

4. To facilitate practice in a wide range of duties normally assigned to professional staff employed in the organization.

5. To facilitate student exposure to a variety of professional resources available through the agency, including evaluation/assessment vehicles, computer programs, administrative and illustrative documentation and media, professional and trade literature, research, and conference/meeting attendance.

6. To consult with the instructor regarding the student's progress.

7. To participate in the evaluation of the student.

GUIDELINES FOR THE STUDENT AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP

Internship is designed to provide experience in Student Affairs work for students before they enter their chosen field. This is done under the guidance of a field supervisor who coordinates student experience at the on-side location, and the professor, who supervises development of relevant skills areas. Internship is available during each academic term; successful completion of the internship course results in 6 hours of graduate academic credit. The course number for internship is CNS 595.

Reminder: Students field experiences must be in at least two different Student Affairs placements. Students can satisfy this requirement by completing their practicum at one site and their internship at another, or they may elect to do either their practicum or internship at two different sites.

An essential part of the Student Affairs program is the opportunity to put theory into practice. In order to effectively accomplish this objective, students must:

1) know and be supportive of the educational mission of the institution,

2) understand and be able to respond to the developmental needs of college students,

3) understand and be able to articulate appropriate management and/or programming techniques, and

4) have a commitment to students and the profession.

The practicum is an "apprenticeship."

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Student Affairs internship are:

(1) To gain in-depth experience and understanding of one or more specialized Student Affairs areas.

(2) To enhance organizational as well as interpersonal communication skills.

(3) To enhance analytical decision-making and problem-solving skills.

(4) To explore leadership potential within a realistic context.

(5) To develop a personal philosophy of Student Affairs work.

(6) To prepare for employment in a Student Affairs unit upon completion of the program.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN...

1. You must have completed CNS 571 (Introduction to Student Affairs), CNS 572 (The College Student Experience), CNS 574 (Student Development), CNS 590 (Practicum), and 6 additional hours in the Student Affairs major. Concurrent enrollment in internship and any of these courses is not acceptable.

2. You are responsible for identifying an internship site and field supervisor in the track in which you are obtaining your degree (Student Affairs). Your supervisor should be a person with a degree equivalent to the one which you are seeking.

a. Obtain clearance for your internship from the organization. Some sites require application forms before accepting internship students.

b. Discuss with your field supervisor a variety of activities that you may be involved in on-site as well as opportunities for on-site supervision. Your activities should be representative of the entire scope of duties performed by your supervisor.

3. Depending upon your internship site, it may be advisable to obtain some form of liability insurance either through the American Counseling Association (ACA), the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), or privately.

ONCE YOU BEGIN...

Although the requirements of the course ultimately rest with your professor, you may expect:

1. To attend a minimum of two and one-half hours per week in either individual or group supervision.

2. To spend at least 600 hours in internship experiences. A minimum of 60 of those hours will be spent in direct delivery of student services to the designated target population.

3. To keep a log of on-site hours to be checked/turned in periodically to the professor.

QUESTIONS ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Call your internship instructor or advisor, who will be happy to help you with your questions.