Internship Overview
The internship experience provides the student with an opportunity to assume responsibilities, under supervision, in an actual work setting. Learning experiences are structured to ensure 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.
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Human Services prepares students for entry-level positions in a wide variety of community services settings. Students in the program learn the roles and functions of the human services worker; characteristics of human growth and development; characteristics of human services agencies; theories and skills of human services; and how ethical, legal, and multicultural issues affect the work of the human services worker. Graduates are prepared to assist clients in coping successfully with developmental tasks of normal growth and in solving problems caused by personal, social, and environmental stress.
A minimum of 400 hours is required for completion of the human services internship. It is expected that the human services worker will work approximately 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 weekly internship class meetings.
The 400 hours contain two components: direct hours and indirect hours. Students are now able to apply 50 volunteer hours towards their 400 hours, and will document these on the first weekly log. Each intern is expected to complete at least 100 direct contact hours during the internship with the remaining hours comprised of both direct and indirect activities appropriate to the placement such as administrative responsibilities, attending meetings, and writing case notes. The 100 direct hours must consist of contact with clients such as one-on-one, by phone, in a group, or shadowing a professional with a client.
The internship must be experiential in nature and appropriate to an under-graduate 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 progressing from: Observation to
- Directly supervised client contacts to
- Indirectly supervised client contacts to
- An independent caseload OR assignment of administrative responsibility.
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 and will focus on helping the student meet the course objectives as outlined in the course syllabus and in the Human Services Internship Handbook.
The internship experience provides the student with an opportunity to assume responsibilities, under supervision, in an actual work setting. Learning experiences are structured to ensure 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.
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Human Services prepares students for entry-level positions in a wide variety of community services settings. Students in the program learn the roles and functions of the human services worker; characteristics of human growth and development; characteristics of human services agencies; theories and skills of human services; and how ethical, legal, and multicultural issues affect the work of the human services worker. Graduates are prepared to assist clients in coping successfully with developmental tasks of normal growth and in solving problems caused by personal, social, and environmental stress.
A minimum of 400 hours is required for completion of the human services internship. It is expected that the human services worker will work approximately 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 weekly internship class meetings.
The 400 hours contain two components: direct hours and indirect hours. Students are now able to apply 50 volunteer hours towards their 400 hours, and will document these on the first weekly log. Each intern is expected to complete at least 100 direct contact hours during the internship with the remaining hours comprised of both direct and indirect activities appropriate to the placement such as administrative responsibilities, attending meetings, and writing case notes. The 100 direct hours must consist of contact with clients such as one-on-one, by phone, in a group, or shadowing a professional with a client.
The internship must be experiential in nature and appropriate to an under-graduate 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 progressing from: Observation to
- Directly supervised client contacts to
- Indirectly supervised client contacts to
- An independent caseload OR assignment of administrative responsibility.
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 and will focus on helping the student meet the course objectives as outlined in the course syllabus and in the Human Services Internship Handbook.
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 and will focus on helping the student meet the course objectives as outlined in the course syllabus and in the Human Services Internship Handbook.
The internship course is offered concurrently with the field experience 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. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory.
Accreditation
Internship 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. Students will not be permitted to take a course concurrently with HMSV 468. The major goal is the application and practice of human service work functions in a setting related to the career goals of the student. Internship provides human services students the opportunity to practice 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.
Learning Outcomes
The general purposes and objectives of this course are, through the exploration of theories and knowledge, to help students obtain the skills to:
- CLO1: Demonstrate appropriate professional work etiquette. Set priorities, complete tasks, organize work and manage time effectively. STANDARD 14b, c, STANDARD 17a
- CLO2: Demonstrate the awareness and skills to practice and work with diverse populations (e.g., age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, racial, ethnic, and cultural differences.) STANDARD 12f, STANDARD 16b, STANDARD 17c, STANDARD 19a, d, STANDARD 20a, c
- CLO3: Demonstrate knowledge of the formal and informal supports available in the community while assisting clients to identify and access these supports. STANDARD 14a, STANDARD 15a, b, STANDARD 17a, b, c
- CLO4: Demonstrate knowledge of the legal, administrative, financial, and 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. STANDARD 15 a, b, c, STANDARD 16a, b, c, STANDARD 17a, b, c
- CLO5: Appropriately integrate basic human service helping skills to include effective communication. STANDARD 14a, e, STANDARD 17 a, c
- CLO6: Recognize, develop and utilize strategies of managing resistance and overcoming barriers to change in clients. STANDARD 16 a, b, c, STANDARD 17a, b, c
- CLO7: 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. STANDARD 14b, STANDARD 15a, b, STANDARD 16 a, b, c, STANDARD 17c
- CLO8: Select, implement, monitor, and begin to evaluate intervention strategies for generalist practice with diverse populations. STANDARD 15a, b, STANDARD 16a, b, c
- CLO9: To understand the structure of organizations and how they service communities. STANDARD 12d, STANDARD 19f, STANDARD 21a
- CLO10: Demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal issues in human services work with a particularly focus on how the NOHS Code of Ethics and HIPAA (PL 104- 191) is incorporated into practice. STANDARD 12h; STANDARD 14b, e; STANDARD 18f, STANDARD 19b, c, e, g, h, STANDARD 20b
- CLO11: Understand and utilize the agency’s chain of command when recognizing an ethical violation. STANDARD 17a, d
- CLO12: To obtain ongoing supervision, at the site and with a faculty member, in order to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective human service professional. Standard 12d, 18b, STANDARD 20d, e
Internship Process
The steps are as follows:
- Read handbook and understand internship requirements
- Submit application for internship semester
- Complete Internship Orientation in Canvas and search for internship placement
- Submit Internship Approval Form for approval and ensure Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place or in process
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. Site Supervisors must have one of the following:
- Masters degree in human services (or a related field)
- Bachelors degree in human services (or a related field) PLUS 5 years work experience in the field of human services
Beginning Summer 2025, all internship sites are required to have a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on file with Old Dominion University before a student may begin logging internship hours. It is the student's responsibility to verify whether an MOU is already in place and, if not, to facilitate the process by connecting the appropriate site contact with the
Internship Coordinator. To facilitate the MOU process:
- If the site agrees with the terms as-is, the designated contact may sign the MOU and return it to the Internship Coordinator.
- If the site requires revisions or has questions, they should email the Internship Coordinator with contact information for the appropriate person at the agency who handles contracts or legal agreements.
Please note: The MOU process can take 6–8 weeks, so it’s essential to begin early.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Complete the required Internship Agreement Form and obtain program approval prior to completing any internship activities.
- Complete 400 hours of human services internship work during the internship semester.
- Complete all log sheets, forms, and assignments by the due dates as specified in the Canvas and according to the Instructor.
- Provide a copy of their resume, Certificate of Liability Coverage, the University calendar, Human Services Program Handbook, the Course Syllabus, and the Human Services Internship in Human Services Handbook to the Agency and assigned Site Supervisor.
- Have a background check completed if required by the Agency.
- Be enrolled in the Human Services Internship course and attend all class meetings for the entire length of the internship experience.
- 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.
- Construct a written individualized learning plan that is conjointly developed and agreed to by the Instructor, the Student, and the Site Supervisor. This individualized learning plan should focus on helping the student meet the course objectives.
- Complete duties assigned according to the agreement established between the Student and Agency. 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).
- Conduct themself 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 Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals.
- Provide supervision, consultation, and evaluation of "on the job" performance of the Intern on an ongoing basis. The Site Supervisor must have a master’s degree in a related field or a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of experience in the human services field (a resume will be required).
- Provide the minimum face-to-face one-on-one supervisory requirements of one (1) hour weekly. Ensure each Intern receives ongoing individualized feedback throughout the duration of the internship.
- Complete the student evaluation materials by the deadline.
- Inform the Instructor of Agency policies and procedures that are relevant to internship assignments and intern activities.
- Maintain close communication with the University in relation to internship activities through available means such as Site Supervisor meetings, correspondence with the Internship Coordinator and the instructor, Zoom or on-site visits by the Instructor, and telephone and/or e-mail contacts.
- Monitor Student performance and report to the Instructor if difficulties in performance, ethics or other internship related activities arise. If difficulties arise, follow the guidelines for remediation/termination (see end of handbook).
- Evaluate the Student Intern's performance and give feedback to the Instructor to determine the course grade.
- Ensure that at least 100 clock hours (out of the required 400) are devoted to direct, face-to-face service to clients.
- Provide 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).
- 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.
- Assume legal responsibility for the welfare of all clients seen by the Student Intern.
- Ensure that the Student Intern has direct supervision, either by the Site Supervisor or their designee, at all times.
- Follow mandated federal and state statutes in accordance with EEOC and ADA.
- 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.
- Provide group supervision, consultation, and evaluation in weekly internship seminar classes.
- Lead and facilitate weekly sessions 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.
- Make contact (email, phone, or zoom) with the Site Supervisor by the 3rd week of the semester.
- Make at least one visit to student's internship site during the semester. Zoom sessions with the Site Supervisor may be completed in lieu of a site visit.
- Provide oversight of all student’s internship-related activities, including submission of all assignments, logs, and required forms.
- 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).
- Review and grade course assignments.
- Review Site Supervisor's mid-term and final evaluations of Student Intern and discuss with Student.
- Approve Interns for internship semester, ensuring all requirements are met.
- Approve the internship sites and Site Supervisors, ensuring all requirements are met.
- Coordinate the internship process, including the approval steps prior to the internship semester
- Provide support and guidance to Students during the internship approval process.
- Provide support for Instructors and, where appropriate, provide training sessions for Instructors.
- Maintain Agency Directory to include sites with a MOU in place.
- Communicate with Agencies and Site Supervisor regarding internship opportunities.
- Provide information regarding the Human Services Program and curriculum in order that the Agency may properly plan and execute task assignments and supervision.
- Assume 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 communication with agency representatives through the instructor.
- Designate one Human Services faculty member each academic semester who will be the Instructor for the student and will communicate directly with the Site Supervisor.
- Supervise Instructors and, where appropriate, provide training sessions for Instructors.
- 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. This certificate can be found on the program website and in the Handbook.
- Complete the required Internship Agreement Form and obtain program approval prior to completing any internship activities.
- Complete 400 hours of human services internship work during the internship semester.
- Complete all log sheets, forms, and assignments by the due dates as specified in the Canvas and according to the Instructor.
- Provide a copy of their resume, Certificate of Liability Coverage, the University calendar, Human Services Program Handbook, the Course Syllabus, and the Human Services Internship in Human Services Handbook to the Agency and assigned Site Supervisor.
- Have a background check completed if required by the Agency.
- Be enrolled in the Human Services Internship course and attend all class meetings for the entire length of the internship experience.
- 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.
- Construct a written individualized learning plan that is conjointly developed and agreed to by the Instructor, the Student, and the Site Supervisor. This individualized learning plan should focus on helping the student meet the course objectives.
- Complete duties assigned according to the agreement established between the Student and Agency. 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).
- Conduct themself 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 Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals.
- Provide supervision, consultation, and evaluation of "on the job" performance of the Intern on an ongoing basis. The Site Supervisor must have a master’s degree in a related field or a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of experience in the human services field (a resume will be required).
- Provide the minimum face-to-face one-on-one supervisory requirements of one (1) hour weekly. Ensure each Intern receives ongoing individualized feedback throughout the duration of the internship.
- Complete the student evaluation materials by the deadline.
- Inform the Instructor of Agency policies and procedures that are relevant to internship assignments and intern activities.
- Maintain close communication with the University in relation to internship activities through available means such as Site Supervisor meetings, correspondence with the Internship Coordinator and the instructor, Zoom or on-site visits by the Instructor, and telephone and/or e-mail contacts.
- Monitor Student performance and report to the Instructor if difficulties in performance, ethics or other internship related activities arise. If difficulties arise, follow the guidelines for remediation/termination (see end of handbook).
- Evaluate the Student Intern's performance and give feedback to the Instructor to determine the course grade.
- Ensure that at least 100 clock hours (out of the required 400) are devoted to direct, face-to-face service to clients.
- Provide 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).
- 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.
- Assume legal responsibility for the welfare of all clients seen by the Student Intern.
- Ensure that the Student Intern has direct supervision, either by the Site Supervisor or their designee, at all times.
- Follow mandated federal and state statutes in accordance with EEOC and ADA.
- 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.
- Provide group supervision, consultation, and evaluation in weekly internship seminar classes.
- Lead and facilitate weekly sessions 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.
- Make contact (email, phone, or zoom) with the Site Supervisor by the 3rd week of the semester.
- Make at least one visit to student's internship site during the semester. Zoom sessions with the Site Supervisor may be completed in lieu of a site visit.
- Provide oversight of all student’s internship-related activities, including submission of all assignments, logs, and required forms.
- 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).
- Review and grade course assignments.
- Review Site Supervisor's mid-term and final evaluations of Student Intern and discuss with Student.
- Approve Interns for internship semester, ensuring all requirements are met.
- Approve the internship sites and Site Supervisors, ensuring all requirements are met.
- Coordinate the internship process, including the approval steps prior to the internship semester
- Provide support and guidance to Students during the internship approval process.
- Provide support for Instructors and, where appropriate, provide training sessions for Instructors.
- Maintain Agency Directory to include sites with a MOU in place.
- Communicate with Agencies and Site Supervisor regarding internship opportunities.
- Provide information regarding the Human Services Program and curriculum in order that the Agency may properly plan and execute task assignments and supervision.
- Assume 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 communication with agency representatives through the instructor.
- Designate one Human Services faculty member each academic semester who will be the Instructor for the student and will communicate directly with the Site Supervisor.
- Supervise Instructors and, where appropriate, provide training sessions for Instructors.
- 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. This certificate can be found on the program website and in the Handbook.
Internship Policies
Eligibility and Pre-Approval
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 courses (prior to beginning of internship) including ALL HMSV courses, general education, minor/cluster/Option D, and elective courses. Reminder: Students must have 120 credits to graduate, with Internship accounting for the last 12 hours.
- GPA in HMSV major of 2.0 or better
- GPA in minor of 2.0 or better
- GPA overall of 2.0 or better
- A grade of C or better in all HMSV courses
Policies
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 the internship is typically for 1 academic semester (approximately 15 weeks total). Students will be allowed to begin their internships only after (1) completion of ALL other required coursework, (2) all necessary paperwork and completed forms have been submitted to the HMSV Internship Coordinator by the required date, and 3) the Internship Coordinator approves the proposed internship site and verifies that the experience is appropriate for fulfilling program requirements.
Internship hours shall be in accordance with agency work hours and shall total approximately 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. Students need to make adjustments in their schedules during the summer semester to ensure the minimum number hours are met for the shorter semester.
Students are not allowed to accrue direct contact hours prior to the semester in which he/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 the Internship Coordinator may be granted. Otherwise, the internship starts on the first day of the designated semester and ends the last day of the semester. In addition, students are also not allowed to finish early even if they have accrued the minimum 400 hours – i.e. they must abide by the dates on the contract and work until the last day of classes for that 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/she must address this issue with the Site Supervisor and the Instructor, using the Individualized Learning Plan to address any unmet objectives. An extension will only be granted if the ODU Course Instructor and the Site Supervisor agree to continue to supervise the student intern beyond the semester dates. This extension must not extend more than 60 days into the following semester and is only granted for indirect hours. All of your direct hours must be completed during your semester of internship. In addition, per university policy, in order to qualify for an incomplete, at least 80% of the course requirements [i.e., 80% of the total internship hours] must be complete by the end of the semester.
All Interns are now able to rollover 50 volunteer hours from HMSV 368 to the internship requirement to count towards the indirect hour requirement.
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 indirect hours from the earlier internship applied to the present one if Old Dominion University has an existing articulation agreement with the respective institution. This requires completion of the Request for 100 Hours form as well as supporting documentation. This is not a direct transfer of hours, yet a percentage of credit given up to a maximum of 100 indirect hours. This documentation is due at the same time as the Internship Application.
Students who have prior employment experience in the human services area (at least full time for a minimum of 2 years with clinical supervision) may petition for consideration to apply for up to 100 indirect hours toward the 400- hour internship. No guarantee is given in advance that such a "transfer" will be given. This is not a direct transfer of hours, yet a percentage of credit given up to a maximum of 100 indirect hours. Documentation in the form of a letter on agency letterhead from the former supervisor along with a detailed description and a learning essay from the student will be required. Please contact the 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 form. Volunteer experience will not be considered when submitting the Request for 100 Hours form.
Students with at least 5 years of full-time experience in the human services field may qualify for internship credit by completing a comprehensive portfolio through the Office of Prior Learning Assessment at Old Dominion University. Please contact that office to see if you qualify.
Old Dominion University's liability coverage does not extend to students’ personal automobiles. Students are prohibited from using personal vehicles for internship duties.
A student may not use their job as their internship site. The internship experience is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to learn new knowledge, skills, and abilities and to expand his/her knowledge of existing agencies.
A student cannot begin accruing clock hours towards internship requirements prior to the first day of the academic semester in which he/she is enrolled for internship and must continue with the agency until the last week of the semester even if the minimum numbers of hours are acquired. Vacations and holidays shall be observed according to the University calendar, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Agency and student.
Student Safety and Supervision
Students are reminded that while participating in the fieldwork experience, they are trainees. Therefore, for their safety, services should not be performed with the following clients without the direct presence (live supervision) of a qualified supervisor:
- Clients who are actively psychotic
- Clients who are persistently violent
- Clients with severe psychiatric diagnoses
- Clients receiving home visits
Additionally, there are some activities that should never be performed by trainees:
- Transporting clients in the trainee’s vehicle
- Providing fieldwork services in any location other than those approved by the site placement
- Physically restraining clients
- Intervening with altercations between clients
- Providing fieldwork services to any client known to be under the influence of a substance
- Dispensing medication
Students who feel that a client’s needs are beyond the scope of their comfort level or competence should share their concerns with their site supervisors and faculty instructors immediately.
Students may not complete an internship under the supervision of a family member or individual with whom they have a close personal relationship. Placements must provide impartial supervision and evaluation. Undisclosed conflicts of interest may result in denial or termination of internship approval.
Principles & Practices of Professionalism
Human Service professionals and students are required to attempt to resolve concerns with direct and open communication with the individual(s) with whom there is a concern. Individuals are obligated to address concerns informally during an in-person meeting as a means of information exchange and/or conflict resolution. If resolution is not reached following the in-person discussion, the person with the concern may address it with the next appropriate person (see below).
All students and faculty who have a concern with a peer/colleague, instructor, or site supervisor must adhere to the following chain of communication and only move up a step if a mutual resolution between both parties cannot be found. Most problems can be addressed through open, respectful discussion with the direct parties concerned:
- In-person discussion with the other party (when the other party is a peer/colleague, instructor, or site supervisor)
- Discussion with instructor (when the other party is a peer/colleague or site supervisor)
- Discussion with HMSV Program Director
- Discussion with Department Chair
- Discussion with College Dean for Student Affairs and Engagement
Professionalism during Internship is especially important. It includes the following abilities, at a minimum:
- Arrive on time to the site/ meeting/ class/ appointment/ session, etc., and remain until the agreed upon time
- Treat all clients, staff, supervisors, and faculty with respect
- Take initiative at the site concerning involvement in fieldwork activities
- Demonstrate professional courtesy when taking personal calls and/ or using electronic media
- Complete required documentation in a timely manner
- Receive constructive feedback from peers/ faculty/ supervisors/ advisors
- Adherence to all the NOHS Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals
- In-person, phone, written, and electronic communications are professional polite/ respectable
- Attention to personal hygiene, always including dressing professionally for the setting, and avoiding clothing that is revealing, disheveled, or inappropriate
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries (e.g., dual/ multiple relationships, not working with family/ friends)
- Suitability for the profession of human services
Human Services Faculty may become involved anytime there is a serious concern about a student’s behavior or conduct. A Corrective Action Plan may be developed for the student to be able to continue in the Human Services Program. Details can be found in Appendix D and Appendix E.
An agency executive, the Site Supervisor, the Instructor, the Internship Coordinator, or the student may initiate a request for removal from an internship placement. In all cases, a written statement, which documents the issues and/or concerns, is to be prepared by the person initiating the action.
At the request of the Agency, the Site Supervisor, the University Instructor, or Internship Coordinator, a student may be removed at any point in the semester from the field placement agency for documented unprofessional conduct or for demonstrable lack of progress in attaining field instruction learning objectives.
The following steps are to be taken in a period not to exceed four weeks:
- The student will be apprised in writing by the Site Supervisor or Instructor of the specific nature of the concern(s) about his/her behavior, progress in learning, or performance.
- The person initiating the request will communicate his/her concern, in writing, regarding the student to the Instructor. The Instructor will alert the Internship Coordinator and provide copies of all documentation.
- In an effort to resolve the situation, a meeting will be held with, at a minimum, the student, Instructor, Site Supervisor, and others pertinent to the situation. The Internship Coordinator will be informed and may be included in this meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to ascertain the facts and give all parties involved an opportunity to raise their concerns, and explore possibilities for resolution of the problem. The possibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Continuation in the agency with a remediation plan (including time limits) for correction in the areas identified as deficient.
- Immediate removal from the agency, without grade penalty, and replacement in another agency to complete the course requirements. A remediation plan must be developed to help the intern avoid repetition. Only one new placement will be allowed.
- Immediate removal from the agency, for documented cause, resulting in a failing grade.
- Student will not be placed in a new agency and must reapply for internship for a subsequent semester.
- Referral for a University Student Code of Conduct hearing
- In the event the situation is not resolved as a result of this meeting, the matter will be referred to the Human Service Program Coordinator.
- If, as a result of these procedures, a student is removed from the Agency for documented unprofessional conduct or demonstrable failure to progress in attaining field instruction objectives, a grade of Fail (F) will be assigned for the course. At that point the student will need to reapply for internship for a subsequent semester.
At the request of a student, a removal from the agency can occur if serious obstacles to the student’s learning are occurring. The following steps are to be taken in a period not to exceed 4 weeks:
- The student will discuss the situation with the Site Supervisor, submitting this request in writing.
- If the issue remains unresolved, the student will consult the Instructor to discuss the issues and the rationale for a new internship site. The Instructor will provide documentation and notify the Internship Coordinator.
- If, after the discussion, the matter is not resolved, the Instructor will convene a meeting of the student, the Site Supervisor, and the Internship Coordinator. The purpose of such a meeting would be to ascertain the facts, give all parties involved an opportunity to voice their concerns, and to serve as a basis for decisions.
- The Instructor in conjunction with the Internship Coordinator will then make a decision in this matter. The possibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Continuation in the agency with a specific plan (including time limits) for correction in the areas identified as deficient.
- Immediate removal from the agency, without grade penalty, and student will be given the opportunity to secure another internship at a different Agency to complete the course requirements.
- Immediate removal from the agency, without grade penalty, and the student will retake the internship in a subsequent semester at another agency.