Academic Requirements for Internship

Orientation report

  1. General student information – name, local address, phone, schedule, and other pertinent information.
  2. Job analysis
    • Name, general description and history of agency, and name(s) of immediate agency
    • supervisor(s)
    • Statement of duties and responsibilities including time schedule, activities, place of operation, and related information
    • Description of the participants with whom the training will be done
    • Facilities, equipment, and similar factors
    • Personal goals and objectives for the assignment and how the student plans to achieve these goals

Integrative discussions
These assignments focus on topics outlined in a list of questions to be obtained from the faculty supervisor. The faculty supervisor will distribute the topics prior to the internship and will assign the number of questions to be answered and the due dates for each integrative report. Each integrative paper should be a minimum of 500 words with the purpose of linking classroom concepts to examples and realities of internships.

Final report
This report should include a record of activities and accomplishments during the internship. It should include an evaluation of the entire training experience including activities, methods followed in completing program plans, and other pertinent information.

Evaluation
Internships provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the professional competence of the student in the application of knowledge and skills to the delivery of services. The purpose of the evaluation process is to help the student recognize progress made, identify strengths and weaknesses, and suggest possible ways to improve performance.

Principles of evaluation
In order to systematically and fairly evaluate the student, the following principles might be used as guidelines by the cooperating agency:

  1. Evaluation should focus on the specified responsibilities assigned to you as outlined in the agency acceptance Form.
  2. Evaluation is a continuous process throughout the experience.
  3. Evaluation is directed toward your growth and development as competent a professional practitioner.
  4. Evaluation involves growth in self-appraisal and self-analysis.
  5. Evaluation is based upon specific, objective, and cumulative data.
  6. Your final evaluation will be based on job performance, growth and improvement, and upon your potential as a professional practitioner.

Conferences in the evaluation process
To insure full benefits from the internship, you and your agency supervisor should hold formal and informal conferences throughout each assignment. Frequency of conferences will depend upon the type of assignment and the individual needs of the student. Daily informal conferences are highly desirable. The indirect learning which occurs during these contacts is important to understand the day-to-day operations of the agency and its programs. While informal contacts are important, formal conferences are essential to discuss many aspects of each program and your responsibilities while on the job. It is expected that periodic conferences will be held between you and your agency supervisor on a regular basis.

Agency evaluations
You are to be formally evaluated by agency personnel on two occasions during the assignment using forms provided by the faculty supervisor:

  • Mid-session
  • At the end of the internship

Mid-session evaluations should be accompanied by a formal conference between you and the agency supervisor, so you’re aware of your progress. The final evaluation serves as an indication of your level of achievement at the culmination of the internship. Again, you should have the opportunity to review the evaluation with the agency supervisor to gain insight relative to your performance and potential as a professional.

Grades for the internship
You’re expected to achieve a satisfactory level of performance throughout the practicum experience. An appropriate grade (mark) will be assigned by the faculty supervisor based on the following criteria:

  1. Job performance as evaluated by the agency supervisor.
  2. Job performance as evaluated by the faculty supervisor (site visits if possible).
  3. Quality and timeliness of required written reports submitted by you as evaluated by the faculty supervisor.

Responsibilities

Agency supervisor
The agency supervisor serves as an agency-based teacher who offers instruction and supervision and utilizes the agency’s operations to provide professional and practical experiences. In discharging this function, the agency supervisor carries the following general responsibilities:

  1. Design of the learning experiences
  2. Selection of your assignments
  3. Continued instruction and exposure
  4. Evaluation of your work performance and to safeguard the quality of the agency’s program as well as your well-being while affiliated with the agency.

Specific responsibilities of the agency supervisor include the following:

  1. Guard against you functioning in a manner that might impair the quality of services provided by the agency. It is also hoped that the agency supervisor allow you reasonable freedom of operation so an adequate training program can be completed.
  2. Discuss the internship program with all agency staff and help you gain acceptance as a member of that staff.
  3. Help you understand your job as it relates to the entire operation and develop professional attitudes in dress, manners, and job responsibilities.
  4. Define the role of the intern through:
    • An initial conference with you to set short- and long-term goals and objectives and to prepare these in writing to be sent by you to the faculty supervisor.
    • Periodic conferences with you to discuss issues that arise in the performance of duties assigned, techniques of leadership, and other factors that may influence effectiveness as a staff member.
  5. Evaluate your performance through the following process:
    • Completion of written assessments during the initial, mid-session, and final phases of the internship experience. The assessment forms will be provided by the faculty supervisor at the beginning of the internship with a timeline for the submission of these assessments.
    • A formal review of these assessments with you prior to submission to the faculty supervisor. This is an opportunity to discuss your progress and to review expectations, goals, and objectives within the internship.

Faculty supervisor
The faculty supervisor will keep in contact with the agency supervisor regarding your progress. The main responsibilities of the Faculty Supervisor are as follows:

  1. Represent the university in all official arrangements with the agency while the internship is in progress.
  2. Assist you in preparation for the internship through goal setting and the discussion of objectives that might be achieved during the internship.
  3. Supervise your training while at the cooperating agency. This supervision will include periodic site visits or telephone exchanges to confer with you and your agency supervisor regarding your progress.
  4. Evaluate internship reports submitted by you and the work assessments forwarded from the agency supervisor.
  5. Submit the final evaluation (grade) for you based on input from the agency supervisor regarding your performance and the written materials and reports submitted by you.
  6. Serve as a resource person for both the agency supervisor and the student.

Student intern
In order to maximize student learning in an internship, certain expectations and responsibilities must be assumed by you. These responsibilities represent a wide range of behavioral and attitudinal characteristics, as well as work site competencies that are part of the specific agency assignment. Although not all inclusive, the following are some of your responsibilities:

  1. Conduct yourself in a professional manner which reflects favorably upon you and the agency.
  2. Notify the designated agency representative when unavoidable absences or tardiness is anticipated.
  3. Work within the scope of agency policies and procedures as well as the requirements of the kinesiology department.
  4. Be ethical in dealings with co-workers and clients and maintain loyalty to the agency and its programs.
  5. Develop and maintain periodic and on-going goals and objectives which fulfill agency and internship responsibilities.
  6. Assist in daily agency interactions and procedures, maintenance of records, and preparation of materials and/or reports for the agency.
  7. Attend meetings, conferences, and programs to enhance skills and professional development during the internship experience.
  8. Take the initiative to seek help and advice from appropriate agency personnel and faculty members.
  9. Notify the agency supervisor and/or faculty supervisor immediately if a situation warrants special attention.
  10. Display interest, resourcefulness, and commitment in approaching problems and finding solutions.
  11. Keep the designated agency and faculty supervisors informed through scheduled reports related to the internship.
  12. Fulfill all responsibilities as designated in the agency acceptance Form.

Need More Information?

Deb Power

266B Forker Building
534 Wallace Road
Ames, IA 50011-4008

515-294-8740

dpower@iastate.edu