We’re glad you’re here! This site is designed to give you quick access to the resources you need as a Community Partner with Old Dominion University’s Human Services program.
A Message of Thanks
We sincerely appreciate your commitment to working with Human Services students as they gain valuable, hands-on experience through their internship. The internship is a crucial step in each student’s professional development, and it would not be possible without the generosity, mentorship, and support of supervisors and community sites like yours.
New to Hosting a Human Services Intern?
If you have not yet placed an ODU Human Services intern at your site, please begin by completing the New Community Partner Information Form. This helps us learn more about your agency and get you set up as a partner.
Internship Requirements
The Human Services Internship at Old Dominion University is the capstone experience for our undergraduate students. Each student completes a 400-hour, one-semester placement (fall, spring, or summer) in a community service setting aligned with their interests and location.
- Direct Contact Hours (100 minimum): one-on-one, by phone, in a group, or shadowing a professional with a client.
- Indirect Hours (remaining hours): administrative responsibilities, attending meetings, case notes, and other appropriate activities.
- Volunteer Hours: up to 50 hours from the prerequisite HMSV 368 Volunteer Experience may be counted toward indirect hours.
By the time they begin internship, students have completed their core Human Services coursework, including:
- Interpersonal Relations
- Human Services Methods
- Diversity Issues in Human Services
- Case Management & Crisis Intervention
- Program Development, Implementation, & Funding
- Psychoeducational Groups
- Family Guidance
- And additional applied coursework in substance abuse, crisis prevention & ethics, and other areas of practice
This means interns are ready for hands-on professional practice in human services settings.
As a Site Supervisor, you play a central role in the success of the internship. Supervisors must:
- Hold a master’s degree in a related field OR a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of experience in human services.
- Provide ongoing supervision, consultation, and evaluation of the intern’s performance.
- Conduct at least one full hour of direct supervision per week, focusing on client interactions, professional behaviors, ethics, and diversity awareness.
- Complete midterm and final evaluations of the intern.
- Review and sign weekly logs to verify intern hours.
For full details about all roles and responsibilities, please see:
- The Internship Agreement Form (outlines each person’s responsibilities in supporting the internship)
- The Internship Handbook (comprehensive guidance on requirements, processes, and expectations)
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be in place between the agency and ODU before internship hours can begin.
- The Internship Coordinator will provide a template MOU and assist with the process.
- Once an MOU is signed, your agency will be added to our Agency Directory for students.
The Internship Agreement Form will be completed in signed by you in conjunction with the student. This form will be evaluated to ensure appropriate placement with relevant human services experiences available, and students must have this approved before proceeding with their internship.
Weekly supervision should address:
- The intern’s interactions with clients and colleagues
- Professional behaviors and interpersonal skills
- Strengths, areas for growth, and goal-setting
- Awareness of diversity, ethics, and legal issues in practice
Interns are placed in:
- The Norfolk / Hampton Roads area
- Throughout Virginia
- Across the United States and beyond, depending on student location
Students are expected to secure their own sites, with program staff providing guidance and resources.
Accreditation
Frequently Asked Questions
- Fall internship: July 1
- Spring internship: November 1
- Summer internship: April 1
You can email opportunities directly to the Internship Coordinator (Jamie Hartsfield, jhartsfi@odu.edu) to be shared with Human Services students. Once required paperwork is in place, your site will also be listed in the Agency Directory.
Yes. Please email any job postings to the Internship Coordinator, and we will share them with students and recent graduates.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be on file for each agency (only one required per agency).
- An Internship Agreement Form must be completed and approved for each student each semester.
Both must be finalized before students may begin internship hours.
- The Internship Instructor will reach out to you at the start of the semester and is your contact for any matters concerning that specific intern throughout the semester.
- The Internship Coordinator (Jamie Hartsfield, jhartsfi@odu.edu) is your contact for overall internship process and site compliance.
A supervisor must have either:
- A master’s degree in a related field, OR
- A bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of experience in human services.
- Provide at least one full hour of direct supervision weekly.
- Focus supervision on the intern’s client interactions, professional behaviors, ethics, diversity awareness, and growth areas.
- Review and sign the intern’s weekly time logs.
- Complete midterm and final evaluations of the intern.
Each student must complete a 400-hour, one-semester internship, including at least 100 direct contact hours with clients.
Students are also enrolled in HMSV 468, Internship in Human Services, which runs alongside the internship experience. They are required to attend weekly 2-hour meetings with their cohort and instructor, and complete course assignments. Supervisor feedback to the course instructor is an important part of monitoring intern progress and determining the final course grade.
Interns have completed core courses such as: Interpersonal Relations, Human Services Methods, Case Management & Crisis Intervention, Program Development, Diversity Issues, Psychoeducational Groups, Family Guidance, and other applied courses. This ensures they are prepared for hands-on practice.
Students are placed in Hampton Roads, throughout Virginia, and beyond - based on their location and interest. Students are responsible for securing their own sites.
Please reach out to Dr. Brittany Suggs at bsuggs@odu.edu for information on graduate counseling fieldwork placements.
Please connect with the Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office (MICO). They support opportunities across all disciplines and manage student connections through the Handshake platform.
Contact the Internship Coordinator:
Resources
At Old Dominion University, the Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office (MICO) serves as the central hub for work-based learning initiatives. MICO supports students, collaborates with employers, and partners with academic programs across campus to expand internship and co-op opportunities. The Center for Career & Leadership Development connects employers with qualified ODU students and alumni for full- and part-time jobs, complementing MICO’s focus on internships. Through their Handshake platform—free for employers to join—community partners can easily post opportunities and reach a wide talent pool.
Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office (MICO) Supports Community Partners through:
- Access to Talent – A connection to motivated, qualified students across all ODU majors and disciplines.
- Customized Matching – A process to help align student skills and interests with employer needs.
- Professional Development Opportunities – Workshops, seminars, and networking events for interns and employers.
MICO FAQ’s
No. While MICO is a great tool for connecting with students, Human Services internships must be formally approved through our program’s process. Students will facilitate this step with you.
Yes. Our forms and approvals are required for accreditation and cannot be substituted by MICO processes.
Not usually. For Human Services interns, your main contact will be through our program. However, if you’d like to explore additional opportunities with ODU students from other majors, MICO is a valuable resource.
Center for Career & Leadership Development (CCLD) Supports Community Partners through:
- Connect with ODU Talent: CCLD hosts multiple career fairs and expos throughout the year, providing employers direct access to thousands of ODU students and alumni from all majors and programs.
- Easy Job Posting & Event Updates: Employers can sign up for Handshake at no cost to post jobs, register for fairs, and stay informed about upcoming recruitment events and opportunities to engage with the Monarch community.
Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office (MICO) Supports Community Partners through:
- Access to Talent – A connection to motivated, qualified students across all ODU majors and disciplines.
- Customized Matching – A process to help align student skills and interests with employer needs.
- Professional Development Opportunities – Workshops, seminars, and networking events for interns and employers.
MICO FAQ’s
No. While MICO is a great tool for connecting with students, Human Services internships must be formally approved through our program’s process. Students will facilitate this step with you.
Yes. Our forms and approvals are required for accreditation and cannot be substituted by MICO processes.
Not usually. For Human Services interns, your main contact will be through our program. However, if you’d like to explore additional opportunities with ODU students from other majors, MICO is a valuable resource.
Center for Career & Leadership Development (CCLD) Supports Community Partners through:
- Connect with ODU Talent: CCLD hosts multiple career fairs and expos throughout the year, providing employers direct access to thousands of ODU students and alumni from all majors and programs.
- Easy Job Posting & Event Updates: Employers can sign up for Handshake at no cost to post jobs, register for fairs, and stay informed about upcoming recruitment events and opportunities to engage with the Monarch community.