Introduction to the Internship:
MAIN CAMPUS Format

The internship experience provides the student with an opportunity to assume responsibilities in an actual work setting under supervision. Learning experiences are structured to insure that the student can apply in the field setting what has been learned through previous didactic class work. The purpose of this handbook is to help the student become familiar with internship policies and procedures.

Objectives
The Human Services Internship is a 12-credit course designed as the capstone of the Human Services Program and completed during one semester at the end of the student’s undergraduate studies, after the completion of all other course work.

The major goal is the application and practice of human service work functions in a setting related to the career goals of the student. It is in the internship that human services students are given actual practice in implementing the human services professional’s role in a supervised setting. This experience is viewed as the focal point for the integration and synthesis of prior didactic and laboratory experiences.

The objectives of the internship are as follows:

Students will

* Set priorities, complete tasks, organize work, and manage time effectively.
* Appropriately integrate basic human services helping skills.
* Begin to assess individual differences among clients in order to develop individualized treatment plans to meet those needs.
* Demonstrate effective communication strategies and skills.
* Increase awareness of their own needs and attitudes which affect their helping, including cultural influences, and begin to appropriately utilize self in the helping process.
* Demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal issues in human services work.
* Demonstrate knowledge of the NOHS Code of Ethics by incorporating them in practice.
* Demonstrate appropriate professional work etiquette. Apply specialized skills and maintain workplace norms as appropriate to the human service profession and the student’s specific internship site requirements.
* Select, implement, monitor, and begin to evaluate intervention strategies for generalist practice with diverse populations.
* Recognize, develop and utilize strategies of managing resistance and overcome barriers to change in clients.
* Display knowledge of the legal, administrative, and financial challenges facing clients while identifying effective advocacy strategies to overcome such constraints.
* Demonstrate knowledge about the career-related concerns of the client and the ability to mobilize resources, make referrals, and identify supportive services necessary to assist that client in reaching his or her goals.
* Examine one’s own values and resolve personal value conflicts in relation to the values and ethics of the human services profession and those expressed in the policies and implementation of agency programs and services.
* Understand and utilize the agency’s chain of command when recognizing an ethical violation.
* Utilize theory and research to guide and evaluate practice by collecting and analyzing information for assessment and evaluation as an ongoing process from initial contact through termination.
* Demonstrate knowledge of the formal and informal supports available in the community while assisting clients to identify and access these supports.
* Demonstrate awareness of the impact of diversity and oppression on human services intervention and commitment to practice which is sensitive to differences among people.
* Demonstrate skills of practice with diverse populations (e.g., age, gender, and sexual orientation, disabilities, racial, ethnic and cultural differences.)
* Demonstrate the ability to match specific supports and interventions to the unique needs of the clients.
* Understand the tasks and apply the skills involved in the termination process.
* Demonstrate the ability to utilize continued professional development.

Time Requirements
A minimum of 400 hours is required for the human services internship. It is expected that the human services worker will work 27 hours a week for a period of approximately 15 weeks. Scheduling is determined between the student and the On-Site Supervisor. In addition to the time that is spent in the work setting, the student must attend regularly scheduled class sessions with the Internship Course Instructor.

The 400 hours contain two components: direct hours and indirect hours. We expect each intern to complete at least 100 direct contact hours during the internship with the remaining hours comprised of indirect activities appropriate to the placement.

Students are not allowed direct contact hours prior to the semester in which they are registered for internship. However, if training or pre-employment requirements must be met prior to beginning an internship and do not require direct contact with clients, special permission from the Internship Course Instructor may be granted. Otherwise, the internship starts the on the first day of the the designated semester.

It is expected that all internship experiences will be completed within the semester in which they are approved. If a student cannot complete the internship within the specified time period, he or she must addresss this issue with the On-Site Superivisor and the Internship Course Instructor, creating an Individualized Learning Plan (if necessary) to address any unmet objectives. Additional time cannot be requested to meet the hour requirement, only to meet the program and initernship objectives.

With approval, students who have completed a supervised internship for an associate's degree in a Human Services program or a related discipline may apply to have up to 100 hours from the earlier internship applied to the present one (thus entailing a minimum of 300 hours); this requires a written request by the student that includes a description of the prior internship (Request for 100 Hours) as well as supporting documentation. This documentation is due at the same time as the Internship. Submission of a such a request does not guarantee its approval.

In some cases, students may have been working in the field for several years. Those students with at least 5 years of experience in the human services field may qualify for internship credit through Experiential Learning. Please check with their office to see if you qualify.

Students who have prior employment experience in the human services area (with clinical supervision), may petition for consideration to apply up to 100 of the prior hours toward the 400-hour internship. No guarantee is given in advance that such a “transfer” will be given. Documentation in the form of a letter on agency letterhead from the former supervisor will be required, along with a detailed description and a learning essay from the student. Please contact the Main Campus Internship Coordinator at the time of application for the internship if such consideration is desired. The complete guidelines are listed on the Request for 100 Hours.

Internship Prerequisites and Deadlines
Students applying for the Human Services internship must meet all of the conditions outlined below:

* Successful completion of all HMSV courses (prior to beginning of internship) as required in the major
* GPA in HS major of 2.0 or better
* GPA overall of 2.0 or better
* Grade of C or better in HMSV 339, 341, 343, and 368 (Note: a C- is not acceptable)

Deadlines for Internship Applications are as follows: January 15 for a fall internship in the same year; May 15 for a spring internship during the following year; and September 15 for a summer internship during the following year. These deadlines are not flexible, so plan accordingly. Students are also required to submit a current resume and a two-page letter briefly addressing their (1) development of interest in human services, (2) areas of interest for internship, (3) personal strengths and growth areas, and (4) life experiences which have affected their development as a human services professional.

If a student decides to change his or her semester of internship, the student needs to e-mail this change to the Internship Coordinator as soon as possible and apply for the next available semester of internship, in accordance with application deadlines.

Within a month of the Internship Coordinator receiving an application, students will receive either an email of admittance (for those who have completed all course work) or a pending email (for those who still have course work to complete prior to the internship semester). Students who do not meet the requirements will receive a denial email prior to their requested semester of internship.

After applying for internship, all internship applicants must attend a Human Services Internship Orientation. Students who do not do so will not be allowed to intern during their chosen semester and will need to reapply for a subsequent semester in accordance with application deadlines. Dates for the session are provided in the email of admittance/pending admittance.

 
Duration of internship is typically for 1 academic semester (approximately 15 weeks total). Students will be allowed to begin their internships only after (1) all necessary paperwork and completed forms have been submitted to the course Instructor, (2) the Instructor, in consultation with agency representative, has determined that the proposed internship site and experience are appropriate for fulfilling program requirements. 

Internship hours shall be in accordance with agency work hours and shall total a minimum of 27 clock hours per week for a minimum total of 400 hours. It is understood that these hours may occasionally vary according to the needs of the student and the agency. Of the 400 clock hours needed, 100 must be in direct and face-to-face service to clients.

The internship experience must be experiential in nature and appropriate to an undergraduate level human services intern. That is, human services student interns must have the opportunity to engage in the following:
·         Direct exposure to human service agencies and clients (assigned visitation, observation, assisting staff, etc.)
·         Actual supervised work involvement in the agency that provides an opportunity to apply academically acquired knowledge and skills and to reflect a gradually widening assumption of responsibilities. It may begin with observations and learning of discrete skills, but later it must include the assumption of increasing responsibility.
·         Assignment of an independent caseload (with appropriate supervision) or assignment of administrative responsibilities within the agency.

Students cannot begin accruing clock hours towards internship requirements prior to the first day of the academic semester in which he or she is enrolled for internship. Vacations and holidays shall be observed according to the University calendar, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Agency and student.

Students who are engaged in community internship-related activities and are enrolled in the internship course are required to seminar class sessions with their Instructor.  

Each student will have a written individualized learning plan that is conjointly developed and agreed to by the Instructor, the student, and the agency supervisor. This individualized learning plan must be completed by the 3^rd week of the internship and needs to focus on helping the student meet the course objectives as outlined in the course syllabus and in the Human Services Internship Handbook.

The human services program faculty is committed to excellence in preparing students to assume roles in entry-level  human services positions. Preparation includes academic knowledge and skills, along with the development of professional and ethical standards.

The following guidelines and expectations are intended to provide basic direction and parameters for expected behavior for majors and minors in undergraduate and graduate human service degree programs.

The Academic Experience
The academic experience is crucial in providing knowledge, skills and awareness of the need for continued learning as part of the preparation for functioning as a human services professional. Underlying the entire academic experience are the assumptions that:

* each student is a worthwhile, unique individual capable of leaning,
* each student brings to the academic experience a variety of values, attitudes, and beliefs that must be respected,
* diversity is an opportunity for expansion of knowledge and understanding, and
* behavior during the academic experience is reflective of subsequent behavior.

In order for the academic experience to be efficient, effective, and productive, it is essential that students play an active role. This active role includes behavior both in and out of class, evidence of learning through oral and written presentations, commitment to ethical practices, and observable professional development.

Specific Expectations

* Students are expected to abide by the Old Dominion University Honor Pledge and the Code of Student Conduct.
* Students should experience the full range of responsibilities in the internship, with emphasis on human services duties.
* Students are expected to know and abide by copyright laws.
* Students are expected to respect the rights of other students and not engage in acts that sabotage access to achievement.
* Students are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with professors, staff and fellow students. Professional boundaries recognize the potential for entering into dual relationships that can be harmful.
* Students are expected to initiate, facilitate, and/or demonstrate only those activities, tests, or techniques for which they have received appropriate and formal training.
* Students are expected to maintain confidentiality and not engage in behaviors such as revealing personal information disclosed by classmates.
* Students are expected to consider personal content material revealed in classes, interviews, class exercises, class groups, etc., to be confidential when talking to those outside class. The processes used in classes and cognitive content can be freely discussed. In the event that university officials, or other similar persons, have legitimate reasons to know this material, students are expected to appropriately disclose.

Old Dominion University’s registered and enrolled students who are required by their curriculum to participate in supervised and graded practica or periods of service outside the University at various internship sites are covered by liability insurance provided through the Commonwealth of Virginia. Each student is required to print a copy of this certificate to give to his or her Internship Site.

Making Arrangements for an Internship Site
It is the student’s responsibility to research, initiate contact with, and make an agreement with an organization that is a potential internship site. The organization must be one which can reasonably be designated a “human services” organization. The steps are as follows:

1. Student submits the Internship Application. It should be noted that the human services degree prepares graduates to work in an agency setting, not in a school setting. As such, internships in a school setting must provide the same opportunities as those provided by an agency placement. Status approval will be given if there is clear evidence that the student will have met all requirements before the semester for which the internship is planned. Actual permission to start the internship is only given after all coursework is completed and minimum requirements have indeed been met.

2. Student identifies potential site(s). Another source to assist students in identifying Internship locations is through Old dominion University's Career Management Center (CMC) website. Specific help can also be obtained from the CMC by contacting Nash Monotgomery by e-mail (nmontgom@odu.edu) or telephone at 757-683-4388.

3. Student initiates contact with site and conducts a phone interview and/or an in-person interview to discuss the potential for an internship with the organization. The student needs to bring the following items to any interview for an internship placement: (1) resume, (2) copy of the On-Site Superivsor's Handbook, (3) the University calendar, (4) certificate of liability coverage, (5) a copy of this handbook, (6) the Internship Agreement, and (7) a copy of the Human Services Program Handbook.

4. After the student has been accepted by the organization as a potential student intern, the student needs to contact his or her course instructor for review and approval of the internship site. Students need to plan in advance, as submission of an internship for review does not guarantee acceptance of the site for placement.

5. Once the site has been reviewed and approved, the student meets in person with the designated On-Site Supervisor. The Internship Agreement is finalized when theInternship Agreement is completed and signed by all appropriate parties, and submitted.

6.The earliest that students can begin accruing internship hours is the first day of the academic semester in which he or she is enrolled for internships. Vacations and holidays shall be observed according to the University calendar, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Internship Course Instructor, Agency, and student.

Turning a Current Job into an Internship
A student who wishes to complete an internship in a paid setting must receive clinical supervision from someone other than her or his administrative supervisor. Further, if the paid setting is not new -- that is, if it takes place in a preexisting job -- the student must work out significant new responsibilities in the setting which will comprise at least 50% of the required hours. Please contact the Main Campus Internship Coordinator at the time of application for the internship if the intent is to use a paid setting (new or preexisting) for the internship. A placement within one's own job setting will also need to be approved by the Internship Course Instructor prior to the beginning of the internship semester. In no case may a student work full-time and also carry the internship. Part-time employment of up to 10 hours is permitted.

Preparing and Interviewing
The organization may request that the student come in for an interview before a placement decision can be made. Students are advised to be prepared whenever participating in the interview process. Be sure to have a complete and professional-looking resume, including references, available for the interviewer. It is also
important to dress for success. Assistance in preparing for the interview can be obtained through Career Management Services.

The intern’s placement must be approved by the Internship Instructor, the On-Site Supervisor and the student. After the student has been accepted by the organization as an intern, a preliminary meeting involving the student and the On-Site Supervisor should be arranged. At this meeting the Internship Agreement is finalized. Upon signature by the concerned parties, copies of the agreement are distributed to the student, the On-Site Supervisor, and the Internship Instructor.

The internship agreement should be completed and signed prior to the start of the internship experience. Modification of the agreement may be made by the On-Site Supervisor with the approval of the Internship Instructor.

A seminar is offered concurrently with the field experience and is designed to help the student relate methodologies and concepts to the work setting. It affords the student an opportunity to share his or her reactions to assignments, adjustments to the organization, and the supervision process. Alternative methods of dealing with problem-solving situations are also explored. Attendance at these seminars is mandatory.

The seminar is a structured learning experience and utilizes such methods as:
* Group discussions. Each week, students are given an opportunity to report observations, share experiences and raise questions concerning issues they have encountered.
* Role plays or simulations.
* Reports on assigned readings.
* Students sharing their knowledge and experiences in a particular human service setting.
* Guest lecturers
* Reports on visits to other agencies, conferences, workshops, professional meetings, etc.

Required Projects
Readings and additional requirements will be listed in the course syllabus of each Internship Instructor.

• Journal of Experience: The journal provides an opportunity to express reaction, perceptions and feelings about the internship experience. This serves as another source of interaction between the student and the Internship Instructor. It can also be used as a vehicle for personalizing learning, examining difficult issues and giving and seeking feedback. Although journals will not be graded, they will be reviewed by the Internship Instructor who can then respond to any concerns or questions raised in the journals.
• Case Reports and Professional Presentations: Students are often required to prepare formal, typewritten case reports and professional presentations according to the guidelines provided by the Internship Instructor.
• Log: Each student is to keep a record of time and activities in the field. Activities include planning, preparing materials, attending conferences, assessment, observation, training, intake interviews, staff meetings, individual helping, and group-based work. The log should be signed by the student and the On-Site Supervisor and then submitted to the Internship Instructor at the seminar meetings.

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  Responsibilities of Internship Participants

The responsibilities of each of the key people involved in the internship are as follows:

Responsibilities of the Student
* Reserve one semester of the senior year for the internship. During the internship, it is recommended that students not have outside work commitments and take no more than one additional three-credit course.
* Confer with the human service program faculty concerning possible internship sites.
* Obtain an unofficial transcript fthrough LEO On-line and submit it to the Internship Instructor at the first class meeting.
* Schedule internship interviews with organizations as directed by the human service program faculty. Be sure to have a prepared resume and background information about the site.
* Contact the Career Management Center for assistance in preparing for the interview.
* Become familiar with the organization prior to the beginning of the internship.
* Complete the Internship Agreement with the On-Site Supervisor.
* Give the On-Site Supervisor the On-Site Supervisor's Handbook and have the Internship Placement Form signed and returned to the Internship Instructor during the first seminar.
* Dress professionally and in accordance with existing dress codes within the organization.
* Be prompt, enthusiastic and eager to work and learn.
* Maintain open communication with the On-Site Supervisor.
* Attend the on-campus internship seminar.
* Submit a weekly log to the Internship Instructor.
* Provide the best possible service to the client.
* Adhere to the Ethical Standards provided by the National Organizations for Human Serivce Education. (Particular attention should be given to the issue of confidentiality.)
* Complete all required projects.
* Complete the various assessments distributed in class

Responsibilities of the Internship Course Instructor
* Verify that the student has met all prerequisites by checking the student's current transcript in the first class meeting.
* Hold class meetings.
* Act as a liaison between the student and the internship site.
* Approve the Internship Agreement.
* Make required site visits/contacts.
* Ensure students complete the varioaus program-related assessments distributed in class.
* Assign the final grade for the internship.

Responsibilities of the On-Site Supervisor
* Collaborate with the student to set goals and objectives.
* Assist the student in meeting requirements through a diversified, viable program of field experiences.
* Orient the student to the policies and procedures of the organization.
* Provide the student with one hour per week of direct supervision and on-going consultation.
* Assign a place for the student to interact with clients.
* Assist in the selection of appropriate clients to create an assigned caseload.
* Meet with the Internship Instructor when visits are made and provide progress reports.
* Inform the Internship Instructor of any problems with the student.
* Verify a weekly log of the student's activities.
* Complete midterm and final evaluations of the student and review the reports with the student before returning them to the Internship Instructor.
* Attest to the fulfillment of internship requirements as outlined.

The following grades are used for internship:
A = EXCEPTIONAL – Student's performance consistently exceeds the usual expectations and is outstanding in a number of areas.

B = VERY GOOD – Student's performance is consistently above average in most areas.

C = SATISFACTORY – Student consistently performs at an acceptable level in all areas.

F = FAILURE – Student has not demonstrated the level of human services knowledge, values and skills appropriate for the internship course. Approval to repeat the course must be obtained from the Human Services Program Coordinator.

I = INCOMPLETE – The grade of Incomplete (I) presupposes that the student is doing passing work in the field instruction course, but because of illness or another emergency situation which is beyond the student's control, is unable to complete all course requirements by the end of the semester.
The grade of incomplete (I) may not be given to allow the student to do additional work in order to meet field instruction course requirements more adequately. The grade of Incomplete (I) requires an agreement in writing between the On-Site Supervisor, the Course Instructor, and the student about how the internship requirements will be met and in what time frame. An Incomplete Grade Form must be completed and filed with the Human services Program Coordinator by the 12th week of the internship. If all requirements necessary for removal of the grade of Incomplete (I) are not satisfactorily met by the last day of field instruction in the academic semester or summer session following the academic semester or summer session in which the Incomplete (I) was incurred, the Incomplete (I) will be changed automatically to a grade of Fail (F).

W = WITHDRAW – The grade of Withdrawn (W) indicates that the student has officially withdrawn from the field instruction course after the first week and before the end of the eighth week of the semester. No student who has officially withdrawn from the internship course may continue in the internship placement.

It is a requirement to for each student to keep copies of all forms submitted. That way, should one be lost in the mail, you will have a copy from which to make us another copy.

Internship Application print out, complete, and submit to Room 110 BEFORE the deadline.	Form for Requesting Exceptions	Request for a Placement in a school
Internship Agreement Supervisor's Qualifications Form	Internship Placement Form Request for 100 Hours Form	Required Log Format
Certificate of Coverage	Site Supervisor's Mid-Term Evaluation of Student Intern	Site Supervisor's Final Evaluation of Student Intern
Student Evaluation of Internship Site	NOHS Code of Ethics	Student Evaluation of the Program