Internship Handbook
Undergraduate Internship in Human Services
Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling
Darden College of Education
Old Dominion University
TELETECHNET Format
Fall 2006 - Fall 2007
An Overview of the Internship:
TELETECHNET Format
Welcome to HMSV 468 Internship in Human Services, TELETECHNET format. This handbook provides
* general information about the internship;
* a description of the responsibilities of the student, the site supervisor, the site adjunct instructor, and the university instructor;
* necessary forms for documenting your experience.
Requirements of the Student
The student will
* research, select, contact, and make final plans for an internship site before the internship semester;
* contact the site adjunct instructor before the internship semester;
* complete 400 hours of human services internship work during the internship semester ("incompletes," though discouraged, may be arranged with the university instructor, but must not extend more than 60 days into the following semester);
* attend and participate in the telecast class meetings;
* attend and participate in the weekly/bi-weekly meetings with the site adjunct instructor;
* complete all log sheets, forms, and assignments in a timely manner as listed in the Internship Agreement and Course Planner and according to the Site Adjunct Instructor.
Supervisors and Instructors
Those supporting the student:
* SITE SUPERVISOR - Provides supervision, consultation, and evaluation “on the job” on an ongoing basis.
* SITE ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR - Reviews and approves sites. Provides group supervision, consultation, and evaluation in weekly/biweekly face-to-face or electronic conferences.
* UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR - Overall course instructor. Leads three seminars. Coordinates the internship process. Supervises the Site Adjunct Instructors. Submits student grades.
Textbook
No textbook required for this class although additional course readings may be posted through Blackboard. Site Adjunct Instructors and Site Supervisors may assign additional readings as well.
Introduction to the Internship:
TELETECHNET 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 course work (certain exceptions to this “complete all courses” requirement may be made; see Form for Requesting Exceptions to Internship Requirements. Only one course (minor/cluster or HMSV) can be taken at the same time as the internship; the core courses (HMSV 339, 341, 343, 346, 368, & 444) must never be taken during or after the internship. HMSV 342, 344, 440W, 447, 448, or 491 will be permitted only with the Internship Coordinator’s approval and with a signed letter or memo from the student attached to the Request, stipulating that he/she will not during the internship undertake any human service responsibilities which are of their nature connected to the material of the course; this means that the student taking the career course must not do career development work during the internship, the student taking the addictions course not do addictions work, and so forth).
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 Site Supervisor. In addition to the time that is spent in the work setting, the student must attend on-air and group seminar meetings at his or her TELETECHNET campus.
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 he or she is taking the 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 both the Site Adjunct Instructor and the HS TELETECHNET Coordinator may be granted. Otherwise, the internship starts 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 Site Superivisor and the Site Adjunct Instructor, using the Individualized Learning Plan to address any unmet objectives. Additional time cannot be requested to meet the hour requirement, only to meet the program and internship 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 Application.
Another situation that is often unique to our TELETECHNET students is that many 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 this 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 Human Services Program 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.
General Policies for Internship
The internship experience is typically a voluntary arrangement with no financial remuneration required by the University or Agency for services provided in the course of fulfilling internship duties; however, some agencies may offer stipends to interns.
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 HMSV Internship Coordinator by the required date, and (2) the Internship coordinator in conjunction with the Site Adjunct Instricutor has determined (in consultation with agency representative) 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 Site Adjunct Instructor, the student, and the agency supervisor. This individualized learning plan must be completed by the 3rd 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.
Internship Prerequisites and Deadlines
Students applying for the Human Services internship must meet all of the conditions outlined below:
* Senior status at Old Dominion University
* 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)
An on-air Human Services TELETECHNET Informational Session is offered each semester to all HS TELETECHNET students, allowing them to ask questions about the internship process as well as the program itself. It is the responsibility of each student to either attend one of these sessions or to make arrangements to view a videotape of a session prior to applying for internship. Dates for the next session are available on the Program Announcements Page.
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, via e-mail, 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 a subsequent semester of internship, in accordance with application deadlines.
Within a month of the Internship Coordinator receiving an application, students and their Site Directors 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 an on-air 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 next session are available on the Program Announcements Page.
Principles and Practices for Professionalism
The human services program faculty is committed to excellence in preparing students to assume roles in entry-level human service 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 fully document all sources used in work submitted for classes. Failure to do so is considered plagiarism.
* 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.
Liability Coverage
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.
The Internship
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 an online Internship Application and, if needed, the Form for Requesting Exceptions to Internship Requirements. Students interested in interning at a school site need to read the information on the School Worker Option and submit the Request for Placement in a School Form at the same time as their 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). Students may consult with their Site Adjunct Instructor about suggested internships. Site Directors can put students in touch with their Site Adjunct Instructors. Another source to assist students in identifying possible 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 Site Supervisor's Handbook, (3) the University calendar, (4) the course syllabus, (5) course planner, (6) certificate of liability coverage, (7) a copy of this handbook, (8) the Internship Agreement for that semester, and (9) 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 meet with his or her Site Adjunct 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 Site Supervisor. The internship agreement is finalized when the Internship Agreement is completed and signed by all appropriate parties, and submitted (all 6 pages of the original agreement) to the Human Services Program Coordinator no later than six (6) weeks prior to the beginning of the internship experience. Students who do not meet the deadline for submission of the Internship Agreement will not be allowed to begin their internship and will need to reapply for a subsequent semester, following all application deadlines. The Supervisor's Qualifications Form must accompany this agreement.
6. A written Individualized Learning Plan for each student, conjointly developed and agreed to by the Site Adjunct Instructor, the student, and the agency supervisor, must be submitted during the third week of the internship.
7. 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 Site Adjunct 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 Human Services Program 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 Site Adjunct 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 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 your Site Director and Site Adjunct Instructor.
The Seminars
The On-Air Seminar
An on-air seminar meets 3 times during the semester. The University Instructor posts the Course Planner and Course Syllabus at least two semesters in advance, allowing prospective interns to plan accordingly. Attendance is mandatory. Therefore, every student must have access to a computer with Internet service. During these sessions, students are expected to share appropriate information with regards to their internship as pertains to class discussion.
The Off-Air Seminar
An off-air seminar is offered concurrently with the field experience (approximately ten sessions) and is designed to help students 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. It is the student's responsibility to contact his or her SAI prior to the beginning of the internship semester to determine the meeting times for these off-air sessions. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory.
The seminar is a structured learning experience and may utilize such methods as:
* Group discussions (face-to-face or via virtual classroom). 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.
All assignments are at the discretion of the SAI. Possible assignments may include, but are not limited to eco-maps, journals, case reports, and professional presentations.
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 helping. Each log must follow the approved log format and be signed by the student and Site Supervisor and then submitted to the Site Adjunct Instructor for approval.
Responsibilities of Internship Participants
The following are the responsibilities of the various parties to the internship:
Responsibilities of the University
The University agrees to:
1. Assume full responsibility for the administrative duties associated with the academic requirements of the Human Services Internship, including approval of the internship site and experience, maintaining on-going and direct communication with agency representatives through the Site Adjunct Instructor, ensuring that student interns are academically ready to begin the Internship, and submission of the final grade for the student.
2. Provide information regarding the Human Services Program and curriculum in order that the agency may properly plan and execute task assignments and supervision. Specifically included are the program curriculum, university calendar, and the Human Services TELETECHNET Internship Handbook, all available through the program’s website or in hard copy if requested.
3. Designate one Human Services faculty member each academic semester who will be the Site Adjunct Instructor for the student and will communicate directly with the site/clinical supervisor (by telephone contact, e-mail, and possibly an internship site visitation). The Site Adjunct Instructor will lead and facilitate weekly and/ or bi-weekly sessions (total of 15 hours throughout the semester) which all student interns will be required to attend, and will be available for consultation with the Site Supervisor and students throughout the duration of placement. The role of the Site Adjunct Instructor, the University Instructor, and the Human Services Internship Coordinator will be that of a consultant alone; the designated site/clinical supervisor will assume legal responsibility for all clients seen by the student intern.
4. Provide support for Site Adjunct Instructors and, where appropriate, provide training sessions for Site Adjunct Instructors.
Responsibilities of the Agency
The Agency agrees to:
1. Designate one staff person as Site Supervisor with an appropriate graduate degree. This person will be an employee (part-time, full-time, or contracted with the agency) of the Agency where the internship will be conducted. The designated Site Supervisor will assume legal responsibility for the welfare of all clients seen by the student intern. The Site Supervisor will ensure that the student intern has direct supervision, either by the Site Supervisor or his/her designee, at all times when the student is at the agency. The only exception to the graduate degree requirement is in the case of an agency worker with a bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field who has at least ten (10) years of supervisory experience. In this case, a resume must accompany this agreement and be sent to the Human Services Internship Coordinator, at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the internship, for approval. Each Site Supervisor must submit a Supervisor Qualifications Form (to be provided by the student) to accompany this Agreement.
2. Follow mandated federal and state statutes in accordance with EEOC and ADA.
3. Develop work assignments and tasks under the Agency’s charge for the human services intern commensurate with the Human Services program objectives, in consultation with the Site Adjunct Instructor. Furthermore, opportunities for the supervisee to become familiar with a variety of professional activities in addition to direct service (e. g, record keeping, case notes, information and referral, in-service and staff meetings) must be present.
4. Provide the opportunity for the supervisee to gain experience in the use of a variety of professional resources appropriate for use by an undergraduate student, such as assessment instruments, print and non-print media, professional literature, and research
5. Ensure that at least 100 clock hours (out of the required 400) are devoted to direct, face-to-face service to clients and provide the opportunity for audio/video taping access or, in the absence of taping, live observation or co-facilitating.
6. If a student is to engage in off-site services (e.g., home-based counseling, transportation of clients), proper training, safety measures (e.g., use of cell phone, obtaining immunization per Agency policy and at Agency expense, use of Agency vehicle only and only with adequate insurance coverage provided by the Agency), and appropriate supervision will be provided by the Agency. If the human services intern will be expected to provide such services, consultation with the Site Adjunct Instructor will be necessary.
7. Provide appropriate working conditions and physical arrangements for the intern, such as desk space for completing paperwork, access to a telephone, and office space in which to meet with clients privately. In addition, provide a clinical instruction environment that is conducive to modeling, demonstration, and training. Administrative control of the clinical instruction environment ensures adequate and appropriate access. The clinical instruction environment includes all of the following:
· settings for individual sessions with assured privacy;
· settings for small-group work with assured privacy and sufficient space for appropriate equipment;
· necessary and appropriate technologies that assist learning, such as audio, video, and telecommunications equipment;
· settings with observational and/or other interactive supervision capabilities; and
· procedures that ensure that the client’s confidentiality and legal rights are protected.
8. Provide the minimum face-to-face one-on-one supervisory requirements of one (1) hour weekly.
9. Complete the student evaluation materials at least one week in advance of the schedule.
10. Inform the Site Adjunct Instructor of Agency policies and procedures that are relevant to internship assignments and intern activities
11. Maintain close communication with the University in relation to internship activities through available means such as site supervisor meetings, correspondence with the Human Services Internship Coordinator and the Site Adjunct Instructor, on-site visits by the Site Adjunct Instructor, and telephone and/or e-mail contacts.
12. Monitor student performance and report to the Site Adjunct Instructor and/or Human Services Program Coordinator if difficulties in performance, ethics or other internship related activities arise. If difficulties arise, follow the guidelines for remediation/termination (see end of Agreement)
13. Allow the student intern to attend the on-air broadcast class sessions, held three times throughout the semester (Wednesdays, 11:30-12:30 p.m.) and weekly/bi-weekly meetings with the Site Adjunct Instructor, meeting times to be determined.
14. Review the student intern's process recording with the student intern prior to passing them on to the Site Adjunct Instructor.
15. Evaluate the student intern’s performance and jointly determine with the Site Adjunct Instructor the student intern’s course grade (A, B, C or F).
Responsibilities of the Site Adjunct Instructor
The Site Adjunct Instructor agrees to:
1. Have a telephone meeting prior to the start of the internship experience with Site Supervisor to explain Human Services Program requirements. In particular, discuss the direct/indirect hours requirements along with the policies for remediation/termination of an intern.
2. Conduct weekly/bi-weekly meetings with the student intern (at least 15 hours during the semester), including facilitating each student’s case presentation. Meetings may be face-to-face or online through the University’s virtual classroom.
3. Make at least one visit to student’s internship site during the semester. If supervising from a distance of over one hour in travel time, then regular telephone conversations with the Site Supervisor are required in lieu of a site visit.
4. Provide oversight of all student internship-related activities, including submission of all assignments, logs, and required forms.
5. Monitor the number of internship hours accrued by the student (at least 100 hours of direct client contact with 300 hours of indirect contact, for a total of 400 internship hours.
6. Assist the student, in conjunction with the Site Supervisor, in completion of an Individualized Learning Plan by the third week of the internship. (see Student’s Responsibilities)
7. Review and critique each student’s 4 process recordings. (see Student’s Responsibilities)
8. Assign the student intern any assignments deemed appropriate to the learning process. Review all written assignments for clarity, grammar, and adherence to the assignment’s guidelines. Assignments not meeting those requirements may be returned to the student for revision.
9. Review Site Supervisor’s mid-term and final evaluations of student intern and discuss with student.
10. Submit the Site Supervisor’s Mid-Term Evaluation, Site Supervisor’s Final Evaluation, Site Adjunct Instructor’s Mid-Term Evaluation, and Site Adjunct Instructor’s Final Evaluation to the Human Services Internship Coordinator for placement in the student’s internship file before the end of the semester. NOTE: Grades will not be submitted until these items have been received.
11. Review and evaluate the student’s case presentation of a client.
12. Jointly evaluate the student with the Site Supervisor and submit the student’s final grade to the University Instructor.
13. Inform University Instructor and Human Services Internship Coordinator of problems or concerns as they arise.
Responsibilities of the Student
The Student Intern agrees to:
1. Reserve the last semester of the final year of academic work for the internship. Financial arrangements for loss of income during the (most often, but not always) unpaid internship must be made well in advance. Commitment to the internship is the same as to a full-time job. All human services coursework, therefore, must be completed prior to beginning the internship.
2. Provide a copy of his/her resume, Certificate of Coverage (see Human Services TELETECHNET Internship Handbook), the University calendar, Human Services Program Handbook, the Course Syllabus and Planner, and the Human Services TELETECHNET Internship Handbook to the internship site and assigned Site Supervisor.
3. Attend a 1-hour internship orientation broadcast prior to the beginning of internship. This orientation includes presentation of internship policies, discussion of internship requirements and evaluation, grading procedures, and a description of the internship component. Failure to attend this orientation will prohibit entry into internship and will therefore delay a student's course of study. The date, time and place of the field orientation will be emailed to each student and site director.
4. Have a background check completed as required for internship site.
5. Be enrolled in the Human Services Internship course and attend all course and Site Adjunct Instructor classes/seminars for the entire length of the internship experience.
6. Determine, at the beginning of internship, who he/she will contact at the agency for emergencies and/or absences and the associated protocol for doing so.
7. Construct a written individualized learning plan that is conjointly developed and agreed to by the Site Adjunct Instructor, the student, and the agency supervisor (description and sample attached). This individualized learning plan should be completed by the 3rd week of the internship and should focus on helping the student meet the course objectives as outlined in the course syllabus and in the Human Services TELETECHNET Internship Handbook.
8. Complete a weekly log, and submit the original on a weekly basis to the Site Adjunct Instructor and Site Supervisor for signatures.
9. Submit an agenda to the Site Supervisor and to the Site Supervisor 3 days prior to a supervision meeting.
10. Submit 4 process recordings to the Site Adjunct Instructor (due dates to be assigned by the Site Adjunct Instructor) for review and discussion. (See sample in Human Services Internship Handbook).
11. Complete a case presentation of a client to the Site Adjunct Instructor for review.
12. Complete duties assigned according to the agreement established between the student and agency representative. This includes reporting directly to Site Supervisor regarding client issues during regularly scheduled supervision sessions, as well as outside of regularly scheduled supervision sessions (e.g., in response to client crisis/emergency issues).
13. Conduct him- or herself in a professional manner expected of all human services trainees and human services professionals throughout the entirety of the internship experience. This means upholding and abiding by the Agency’s policies and procedures along with the National Organization for Human Services Education Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals (http://www.nohse.com/ethics.html).
14. Be responsible for seeing that all paperwork related to the internship is completed in a timely fashion (i.e., according to deadlines specified in the Human Services TELETECHNET Internship Handbook and the Internship Course Planner) and on file.
15. Provide copies of the completed Internship Agreement form and the Supervisor Qualifications Form at least 6 weeks before the internship experience begins to the Internship site and the Human Services Program Coordinator. The student will also be certain that the mid-semester evaluation, final evaluation, and evaluation of the internship (Site and University) are properly completed and submitted to the Site Adjunct Instructor for placement in the student’s internship file.
16. Revise assignments as required by the Site Adjunct Instructor.
Responsibilities of the University Instructor
The University Instructor agrees to:
1. Verify that the student has made accurate representations of his/her preparation and qualifications for the internship.
2. Provide Site Adjunct Instructors with criteria for internship sites.
3. Provide support for Site Adjunct Instructors and, where appropriate, provide training sessions for Site Adjunct Instructors.
4. Provide TELETECHNET sites with appropriate guidelines and material (syllabi, textbooks, handbooks, and forms) for servicing internship students.
5. Conduct three televised seminars and monitor delivery by Site Adjunct Instructors of classroom site seminars.
6. Assist the student with his/her personal growth as a human services professional.
7. Submit the student’s final grade in a timely manner.
Written Work: Students are required to (1) develop a learning plan and working contract; (2) complete four process recordings for submission to the Site Adjunct Instructor and Site Supervisor during the semester; (3) submit an agenda to both the Site Adjunct Instructor and Site Supervisor for each supervision meeting; (4) complete an Agency Overview Assignment; (5) submit weekly logs; (6) complete a Case Presentation on a client to the Site Adjunct Instructor for review; and (7) complete a variety of forms and internship-related surveys.
Grading: The grade is given by the Site Adjunct Instructor in consultation with the Site Supervisor and student. A field evaluation form is used to assess the student's performance at mid-term and at the end of each semester in the field. Grades for field instruction are based on:
Ø an evaluation form completed by the Site Supervisor reflecting the student’s attainment of field instruction learning objectives, including the student’s demonstrated level of knowledge and skill in human services practice;
Ø Site Adjunct Instructor’s assessment, from process recordings and other materials submitted by the student, of the student’s progress and current level of human services knowledge and skill;
Ø conferences between the Site Adjunct Instructor, the Site Supervisor, and the student, which are to evaluate the student's current level of human services knowledge and skill, as well as the student's ability to engage in a discussion of his/her work and his/her professional development.
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 Site Supervisor, the Site Adjunct 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.
EEOC and Sexual Harassment Policy
Old Dominion University is committed to the promotion of equal employment, equal educational, and social opportunities for all Old Dominion University employees and students. No employee or student will be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
Sexual harassment in any situation is reprehensible. It is also the policy of Old Dominion University to provide students and employees with an environment for learning and working which is free of sexual harassment.
The EO/AA Office is located in Spong Hall, Room 121-A. The telephone number is 683-3141. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Links to Internship-Related Forms and Course Assignments
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.
