Course Overview
An internship experience is an optional elective course in the M.Ed. in Higher Education program and highly recommended for students who do not have work experience in a higher education setting.
The internship has two elements: 1) work experience (typically 7-10 hours per week on-site or work done “virtually” through off-site research projects or via telecommuting) and 2) the academic course requirements in HI ED 595 (Internship Seminar). The seminar, facilitated by a faculty member, focuses on skill development and reflective practice and enables students to share experiences with other students who are doing internships in various settings.
In the M.Ed. in Higher Education Program, students identify their own internship sites and then submit their materials to their faculty adviser for approval. In this manner, the experience in securing an internship prepares students for finding and securing a full-time position in higher education. An internship experience should be challenging and lead to professional and personal growth. Students will analyze and reflect on their experience, viewing the office for which they are working within its organizational mission, operations and context.
Students are encouraged to develop a list of potential sites as early as possible but not later than the semester prior to the period of the internship. Students are also encouraged to discuss site possibilities and potential sponsored research projects with their advisers. After identifying potential internship sites, students conduct informational interviews with potential site supervisors. During the interview students should discuss their goals and expectations with the site supervisor and present information on their skills, prior experiences, and interests. Students should have a clear idea of what they hope to gain from the internship and be able to clearly articulate the contributions they can make to the internship site.
Based on these informational interviews, students determine their internship preferences and re-contact sites in order of preference to determine if the site will be able to offer the internship. Once the student and the site supervisor mutually agree to work together, they should discuss the specific goals, activities, responsibilities, and expectations for the internship. If possible, a brief job description for the internship should be created. Note students may need to assist in developing the job description, to make it as easy as possible for the site to create the internship placement.
As noted above, student interns are expected to conduct themselves as professionals at their internship sites. They should familiarize themselves with the expectations of staff at their site and adhere to these expectations. At all times interns are expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to activities at the internship site and to adhere to the ethical guidelines of the higher education profession in their work with students and colleagues.
Course Objectives
The objective of the internship is provide students with the opportunity to experience specific functional areas within a higher education context such as student affairs, academic advising, institutional research, outreach, development and many other operational areas. Through this experience students will further develop their professional skills and form meaningful and lasting relationships. Students will be able to apply theory learned in coursework to practice in the field.
An internship experience is an optional elective course in the M.Ed. in Higher Education program and highly recommended for students who do not have work experience in a higher education setting.
The internship has two elements: 1) work experience (typically 7-10 hours per week on-site or work done “virtually” through off-site research projects or via telecommuting) and 2) the academic course requirements in HI ED 595 (Internship Seminar). The seminar, facilitated by a faculty member, focuses on skill development and reflective practice and enables students to share experiences with other students who are doing internships in various settings.
In the M.Ed. in Higher Education Program, students identify their own internship sites and then submit their materials to their faculty adviser for approval. In this manner, the experience in securing an internship prepares students for finding and securing a full-time position in higher education. An internship experience should be challenging and lead to professional and personal growth. Students will analyze and reflect on their experience, viewing the office for which they are working within its organizational mission, operations and context.
Students are encouraged to develop a list of potential sites as early as possible but not later than the semester prior to the period of the internship. Students are also encouraged to discuss site possibilities and potential sponsored research projects with their advisers. After identifying potential internship sites, students conduct informational interviews with potential site supervisors. During the interview students should discuss their goals and expectations with the site supervisor and present information on their skills, prior experiences, and interests. Students should have a clear idea of what they hope to gain from the internship and be able to clearly articulate the contributions they can make to the internship site.
Based on these informational interviews, students determine their internship preferences and re-contact sites in order of preference to determine if the site will be able to offer the internship. Once the student and the site supervisor mutually agree to work together, they should discuss the specific goals, activities, responsibilities, and expectations for the internship. If possible, a brief job description for the internship should be created. Note students may need to assist in developing the job description, to make it as easy as possible for the site to create the internship placement.
As noted above, student interns are expected to conduct themselves as professionals at their internship sites. They should familiarize themselves with the expectations of staff at their site and adhere to these expectations. At all times interns are expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to activities at the internship site and to adhere to the ethical guidelines of the higher education profession in their work with students and colleagues.
Course Objectives
The objective of the internship is provide students with the opportunity to experience specific functional areas within a higher education context such as student affairs, academic advising, institutional research, outreach, development and many other operational areas. Through this experience students will further develop their professional skills and form meaningful and lasting relationships. Students will be able to apply theory learned in coursework to practice in the field.