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Scenes from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies

HDF Field Experience


Instructions for HDF480 Senior Field Work Experience



What are the prerequisites?
Junior/Senior Standing

How many credits can I do?
6, 9, or 12 credits

When can I do the internship?
Fall/Spring Semesters
Summer Sessions (Combined I and II)

When should I apply for an internship? Fall Semester by April 25
Spring Semester by December 5
Summer Session Combined I and II by February 5

How many hours do I work at my internship site during the semester? For computing hours per week. Divide the number of weeks for each semester by the total number of hours
6 credits = 230 hours
9 credits = 336 hours
12 credits = 448 hours

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Who Does What?

Student Intern:

  • Maintains regular contact with the faculty advisor to ensure that the necessary steps are being followed to secure the internship placement.
  • Develops a learning contract and job description (See Learning Contract Guidelines)
  • Completes the required paperwork and returns all forms to the faculty advisor.
  • Fulfills field work and academic components of the internship as outlined in the learning objectives.
  • Follows the procedures and rules of the agency in an ethical and responsible manner.
  • Participates in the seminar and completes assignments as outlined on the course syllabus.

Faculty Advisor:
  • Assists students in clarifying goals, planning and offers guidance as needed through the internship process.
  • Identifies and approves potential internship sites.
  • Grants final approval of the learning contract.
  • Conducts seminar. (481)
  • Monitors and supervises progress toward learning objectives.
  • Evaluates internship components.
  • Assigns a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade for the internship and a letter grade for the seminar.

Agency (click here for a list of agencies):
  • Interviews prospective interns and determines if the student meets the necessary qualifications.
  • Assists students with the agency description section and learning objectives of the learning contract.
  • Provides the intern with a clear description of his/her assigned responsibilities during the semester.
  • Designates a qualified agency staff member to serve as a site supervisor.
  • Provides the intern with a meaningful orientation to the agency’s services, organizational and operating practices.
  • Provides the intern with opportunities to become significantly involved in agency activities consistent with the objectives outlined in the learning contract objectives.
  • Provides periodic work planning and review sessions for the intern and the agency supervisor to assess progress and plan for continued learning.
  • Completes an evaluation(s) of the intern’s performance.
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What are the Steps in Planning an Internship?

Application: Complete the application and meet with a faculty advisor Site Selection: Internship opportunities are listed in the Internship Directory located in the main office at the Transition Center.

Resume Development: Developing a resume helps you to focus on your objectives and accomplishments. It is recommended that you prepare a concise resume that reflects your education, work and volunteer experience, and special skills.

Interviews: Contact agencies that are of interest to you and request a personal interview. Your site supervisor must have a Bachelors Degree. The agency will assess whether or not you have the necessary background, seriousness of purpose, and overall maturity to successfully complete an internship in their agency. It may be helpful to research the agency prior to your interview.

During the interview, be sure to:

  • emphasize your skills, knowledge, relevant academic course work, and experience
  • dress appropriately
  • be on time
  • be relaxed and attentive
  • ask questions and discuss goals

After the Interview: If needed, schedule an appointment to meet with your Internship faculty advisor to discuss which agency best fits your goals. Contact all of the agencies to inform them of your decision and thank them for their time.

Learning Contract: All participants of the internship program are required to use the learning contract format with your professional objectives attached. This important component of the planning process for the internship deserves thoughtful attention. (See the section on learning contract guidelines)

Approval of Your Learning Contract: The learning contract must:

  • Include all of the sections listed in the guidelines and be completed by the designated deadline the semester prior to the Internship.
  • Be approved by your faculty advisor
  • Be typewritten
  • The contract form must be signed by the student intern, the faculty internship advisor, and the agency supervisor.

Note: Every participant in the Internship program (student intern, agency supervisor and the faculty internship advisor) must have a copy of the learning contract and professional objectives. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that everyone has a copy.

Registration: Registration for HDF 480 and 481 is contingent upon completion and approval of the learning contract. Upon acceptance, permission numbers will be assigned by the faculty advisor allowing the student to register for internship credit. Participants are required to submit the following to the Internship Faculty Advisor on or before the semester deadline prior to Internship:

  • Completed HDF 480 Internship application
  • Concise typed Resume
  • Completed Learning Contract Form with typed Professional Objectives and Agency Description
  • Concise typed applicant statement detailing how the site selected meets the students professional learning goals
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Learning Contract Guidelines
The purpose of the learning contract is to formally establish the relationship between the intern, the faculty advisor, and the participating agency.

The mutual agreement of the professional goals helps participants to develop a clear understanding of what is expected from each at the outset of the internship. It is also an agreement that can be referred to during the semester should any problems arise.

The learning contract consists of the:

  • Signed Learning Contract Form
  • Student’s professional learning objectives and the agency description of the intern’s responsibilities and duties attached. Your specific learning objectives should be measurable, attainable, and reasonable. They should reflect you personal and professional career goals.

The agency description should include information about orientation and training, a description of duties, starting and ending dates, a list of any readings or material that will be useful in better understanding the agency, and the criteria by which the student’s internship will be evaluated.

Seminar (481)
Students are required to attend and participate fully in the weekly seminar. Grades are based on attendance, participation, and fulfillment of written assignments.

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