INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM GUIDE

(1)

INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM GUIDE

Office of Career Services

(2)

(3)

Office of Career Services

Lower level, 133 Beacon Street

[email protected]

(617) 236-8838

Internship/Practicum Guide

Fisher College believes in the importance of experiential education. All baccalaureate degree candidates are required to participate in a minimum 120-hour internship experience. Many associate degree candidates also have an internship requirement. This guide outlines all expectations relating to an internship.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STUDENTS ... 2

PRE-REQUISITES ... 2

MAJOR BASED INTERNSHIPS ... 2

BACHELOR DEGREES ... 2

Communications and Media Studies Majors (CM460) ... 2

Criminal Justice (CJ460) ... 3

Health Information Management (HM435) ... 3

Human Services Majors (HS460)... 3

Management Majors (MG390)... 4

Psychology Majors (PS460)... 4

ASSOCIATE DEGREES ... 4

Education Majors (ED200, ED201, ED209) ... 4

Health Information Technology (HT190, HT290) ... 5

Medical Assistant (ME190) ... 5

INTERNSHIP WAIVERS ... 5

3-CREDIT ELECTIVE INTERNSHIP ... 6

12-CREDIT INTERNSHIP (AVAILABLE TO DAY STUDENTS ONLY) ... 6

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ... 6

WHAT TO DO IF THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL DURING YOUR INTERNSHIP ... 6

WHAT TO DO WHILE INTERNING ... 7

COMPONENTS OF A GREAT INTERNSHIP ... 7

RESOURCES ... 7

FACULTY ... 7

PRE-REQUISITES ... 7

INTERNSHIP APPROVAL PROCESS ... 8

EMPLOYERS ... 8

COMPONENTS OF A GREAT INTERNSHIP ... 8

EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS ... 9

EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIPS ... 9

DAY INTERN APPROVAL FORM ... 11

(4)

Fisher College Internship Guide P a g e | 2

STUDENTS

As a Fisher College student pursuing your baccalaureate degree, you are required to complete an internship for a minimum of 3 credits that pertains to your major. You may take additional internships for elective credits

including 3-credit, and 12-credit options. Many associate degree programs also require internship. This guide will help you navigate the process, regardless of your major.

Pre-Requisites

All students must consult the Course Catalog to learn the specific pre-requisites for their major specific internship. For additional questions please see your advisor or the program director.

DAY students: A 1-credit course entitled Professional Development for Internship (IS210) is required prior to a student being able to enroll in an internship course. This class provides a foundation for the resources needed to apply for and maintain an internship. Students may take this in the spring of sophomore year or anytime junior year. Students must receive a passing grade in order to proceed to internship.

DAPS student: A module within Blackboard entitled Career Prep is available for DAPS students to find resources to build the tools needed to obtain an internship.

ALL students are required to secure their internship and gain approval from their faculty supervisor or Site Coordinator PRIOR to the start of the semester/term they are enrolled in internship. Without securing a proper internship students may be forced to withdraw from the course and re-enroll at a later time.

Major based internships

All baccalaureate degree students are required to complete a major-based internship that is worth 3-credits. Some associate degree programs also require internships. Please refer to your major below for specific

requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate any arrangements in advance such as planning and requesting to use vacation hours from work, adequate transportation, arranging for child care and any other needs.

NOTE: Associate level internships do not take the place of the baccalaureate degree internship requirement.

Bachelor Degrees

Communications and Media Studies Majors (CM460):

Communication and Media Studies majors may complete their internship in any facet of the field that fits their interests. Suitable internship sites include radio, television or other media or production companies.

Communication and Media Studies majors may also intern within sectors of a particular organization or company including the communication department, marketing department, event management/logistics or other

department that greatly utilizes the skills gained from their education. Recent Internship Sites:

 Events Intern, First Night, Inc., Boston, MA

(5)

Criminal Justice (CJ460):

Criminal Justice students gain experiences in a variety of different positions within the criminal justice field. Students may choose to explore internships in corrections, policing, research, policy, or program related organizations.

Recent Internship Sites:

 MA Criminal Records Board, Chelsea, MA

 Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Boston, MA

 Institutional Research Department, Fisher College, Boston, MA

Health Information Management (HM435):

This internship is 120 hours long and is required of all HIM BS degree students. Students are placed at healthcare facilities onsite or virtually to work under the supervision of someone in a healthcare facility that is in a

supervisory level or higher. Healthcare facilities require written proof from a medical provider of an up to date physical exam and immunization record indicating the student is medically approved to be placed in healthcare facility for onsite internships. Proof of healthcare insurance will be established. A student contract will be signed for the established site. No student will be placed without this documentation since it is part of the written contract between the facility and Fisher College for onsite placements.

The student's advisor will notify the HIM department when a student is ready to begin an internship. The student will be assigned a faculty mentor. The faculty member establishes a site contract. Once a site has been established and secured with a signed contract, the faculty person will inform the advisor that the student may be registered for the class. The faculty member monitors the student and remains in contact with the site supervisor

throughout the internship. The faculty member keeps the student's advisor informed of any problems regarding the internship. Students post their submissions in Blackboard by the assigned deadlines. The faculty member enters the final grade at the end of the term.

Potential Internship Sites:

Existing associate degree internship sites will be explored for the bachelor degree internship requirement. New sites secured based on student location and site availability for onsite and virtual internships.

Human Services Majors (HS460):

Human Services majors may work in any functions that allow them to practice what they learned in their coursework. Such opportunities may exist in a human or social service agency, educational setting, non-profit organization or private practice. This class meets weekly to ensure opportunities to process and discuss your experiences. You must have your internships site approved prior to enrolling in the course. Affiliation agreements are available upon request.

 Anna Jaques Hospital, Amesbury, MA

 The Women’s Lunch Place, Boston, MA

 Progressions Behavioral Health Services, Lebanon, ME

 Voices Against Violence/Kidspace, Framingham, MA

(6)

Management Majors (MG390):

As a management major your internship must be based on your major and provide you exposure to management related tasks. For example, if you are a Management major with a Human Resource concentration, your

internship must give you the opportunity to learn and practice Human Resource Management functions. Therefore, your part-time or regular job will most likely not suffice for the internship requirement because you will be required to perform functions that are not part of your typical job responsibilities.

 Accounting Intern, Schwartz & Schwartz, PC, Woburn, MA  Fashion Merchandising Intern, Marshalls, Boston, MA

 Healthcare Management Intern, New England Sinai Hospital, Stoughton, MA

 Hospitality Rotational Intern, Hilton Boston Logan Airport, MA

 Human Resources Intern, Arnold Worldwide, Boston, MA

 Marketing Intern, Prince Lobel, Boston, MA

Psychology Majors (PS460):

Psychology majors participate in internships that explore their interests and use the skills gained throughout their education. Internship sites can be varied and must be approved by the faculty member prior to accepting the position. Psychology students should meet with their program director and/or career services to discuss options prior to applying for opportunities.

For assistance in locating a site please contact: Tünde Turi-Marković, Ph.D.

Program Director, Psychology Fisher College

Office: 118-42 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 670-4463

Email (Preferred): [email protected]

Associate Degrees

The following majors require an internship as part of the associate degree. Other associate degree students may have internships electives available to them. Please consult with your advisor to inquire about majors outside of this guide.

Education Majors (ED200, ED201, ED209):

The Early Childhood internships are 150 hours and include site visits by the internship instructor. For online students at a distance a site visitation is required through webcam. ED209 is an Advanced internship open to DAPS students only. This course focuses on administrative tasks required in the field.

 Transportation Children’s Center, Boston, MA

 Nantucket Elementary School , Nantucket, MA

 Headstart, Brockton, MA

 Scribbletime, North Attleboro, MA

(7)

Health Information Technology (HT190, HT290):

These two internships are 120 hours each and are required of all HIT AS degree students. Students are placed at healthcare facilities onsite or virtually to work under the supervision of someone in a healthcare facility that is in a supervisory level or higher. Healthcare facilities require written proof from a medical provider of an up to date physical exam and immunization record indicating the student is medically approved to be placed in healthcare facility for onsite internships. Proof of healthcare insurance will be established. A student contract will be signed for the established site. No student will be placed without this documentation since it is part of the written contract between the facility and Fisher College for onsite placements.

The student's advisor will notify the HIM department when a student is ready to begin an internship. The student will be assigned a faculty mentor. The faculty member establishes a site contract. Once a site has been established and secured with a signed contract, the faculty person will inform the advisor that the student may be registered for the class. The faculty member monitors the student and remains in contact with the site supervisor

throughout the internship. The faculty member keeps the student's advisor informed of any problems regarding the internship. Students post their submissions in Blackboard by the assigned deadlines. The faculty member enters the final grade at the end of the term.

 Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA

 Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI

 Dr. Sonya Ventour, Grand Medical Services, Baldwin, NY

 Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata, PA

 Nevada State Veterans Home, Boulder City, NE

 Charts in Time, St. Petersburg, FL

Medical Assistant (ME190):

This 160-hour internship is required of all Medical Assistant students. These are supervised experiences in a health maintenance organization. Healthcare facilities require written proof from a medical provider of an up to date physical exam and immunization record indicating the student is medically approved to be placed in

healthcare facility. No student will be placed without this documentation since it is part of the written contract between the facility and Fisher College for onsite placements.

 Rehoboth/Seekonk Medical Center, Rehoboth, MA

 Brigham and Women's Primary Care, Foxboro, MA

 Dr. Todd Handel, Providence, RI  Layden Chiropractors, Plainville, MA

 Hawthorne Medical, Dartmouth, MA

 The Truesdale Clinic, Fall River, MA

Internship Waivers

DAPS Students who are working in their field of study, or have extensive experience in their field of study, may apply to waive their internship. If the waiver is granted, an additional course(s) will be required in its place. Consult your advisor for more information regarding this matter.

(8)

3-credit elective internship

A 3-credit elective internship may be taken in addition to your major internship. This internship would allow you to further explore your major or gain experience in another industry. A 3-credit internship requires a student to complete 120-hrs on site. You must have the internship approved and be assigned a faculty supervisor prior to the start of the semester in which you would like to complete this internship. You may see the Office of Career Services or your academic advisor for assistance.

12-credit internship (available to DAY students only)

The 12-credit internship may be used in conjunction with, and to fulfill, your major required internship. In this case the student must complete 480-hrs on site with a major classroom component that corresponds with their internship. This internship is similar to a traditional co-op model. To supplement this course, students may enroll in one online course to create a full 15-credit course load for the semester.

Student Responsibilities and Expectations for the Internship Program

 IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND AND SECURE AN INTERNSHIP.

 DAY students: Upon registration for the internship course, a day student signifies their intent to intern during that semester. The student must locate an internship site at least one week prior to the beginning of that internship semester, and submit an Internship Approval Form to their faculty supervisor (form within the appendix of this guide).

 DAPS students: Students must complete the Intern Application and Approval form at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the term they intend to intern (form within the appendix of this guide). After submitting the form and having it approved, the faculty member will be in touch with the student.

 Students must complete the minimum 120-hours (480-hours for 12-credit internship) on site with their internship employer.

 Students must abide by the policies and procedures of the organization in which they are interning during the internship.

 Students are required to maintain contact with both the work supervisor and the faculty advisor regarding the substance and value of his/her internship experience, and to relate any concerns to these individuals  Students are expected to arrive to the workplace on time, dress appropriately, and maintain a

professional attitude during all work hours.

 Students must fulfill all requirements of their internship syllabus. For day students, at the first meeting of the internship class students will receive all documentation and instruction necessary to successfully complete one’s internship. Attendance at this first class is IMPERATIVE. For DAPS students, your faculty internship coordinator will provide all documentation via email or Blackboard – no class meetings are required.

 Students are responsible for submitting weekly time logs (signed by their supervisor) and journals of their internship attendance. If this is not done, students risk failing the course and having to repeat it.  Students must participate in weekly discussions, journal requirements, assignments, research,

presentations and other written work as outlined in their internship syllabus.

 Students must provide the internship site supervisor with their evaluation sheet and be sure it is completed in a timely manner for grading.

What to do if things are not going well during your internship

Contact your faculty advisor immediately. Communication is key to having a successful internship experience. If you need general advice on being a productive intern or other professional development matters please contact the Office of Career Services.

(9)

What to do while interning

Every student’s internship experience will differ. The most important aspects are being able to discuss and demonstrate the skills one has learned while interning. Asking employers to use work samples in portfolios or to provide written recommendation letters are excellent ways of ensuring added value from any internship.

Components of a great internship

 Meets minimum hour requirements (120 hours over the course of the semester/term for 3 credits)  Is major specific

 Exposes the student to aspects of their major beyond administrative components only (making copies and coffee will not gain academic credit)

 Ability to learn from others in the field  Builds your network of professionals

 Strong supervision

 Builds a great portfolio

Resources

The Office of Career Services is available to help students obtain an internship. Please visit the following resources to begin your search:

www.fisher.edu/careerservices www.fisher.edu/fishnet

Career Prep module within Blackboard (contact Career Services if not currently enrolled) Internships.com module located within Blackboard

Be sure to consult with your Program Director and faculty members for additional resources and connections to obtain an internship. A full list of full-time faculty members with contact information may be found on the Fisher College website.

FACULTY

An internship should be treated equally to any other credit bearing course at Fisher College. This means that the hours worked plus additional work (papers, presentations, journals, etc.) should equal a minimum of 3 hours per week per credit. That means for a 120-hour internship students should be doing a few additional hours per week outside of the experience. Sample learning agreements, syllabi, evaluations, etc. are available.

Pre-Requisites

DAY school – In addition to major specific requirements, all students in the day school must pass IS210 – Professional Development for Internship, prior to enrolling in their major designated internship course. IS210 may be taken in the latter half of a student’s sophomore year, or during their junior year. Students who plan to study abroad should plan accordingly.

DAPS – Students must complete their major specific requirements prior to enrolling in internships. DAPS students are not required to take IS210, but should utilize the Career Prep module within Blackboard to prepare for and find their internship. Resources including the Fish*net (www.fisher.edu/fishnet) and Internships.com (building

(10)

Fisher College Internship Guide P a g e | 8 block in Blackboard) can identify internships across the nation for students to apply for. Students may also use the Office of Career Services for additional support.

Waiving Internship – DAPS students may be able to waive internship and take another course within their major in its place if they have demonstrated work experience in their major course of study (ex. A student who has been a manager for 5 years and is a management major). If a student fits this criteria they may petition to waive the course through the appropriate Program Director or Assistant Dean. If the waiver is granted, the program director will advise students of appropriate courses to complete the 3-credit alternate requirement.

Internship Approval Process

Day students should submit the Intern Approval Form prior to or at the orientation for their internship course. This form can be found in the appendix of this guide and on the Fisher College website.

DAPS students should submit the Intern Application and Approval Form at least 3 weeks prior to the term in which they wish to begin. The form is submitted to the Site Coordinator.

A successful internship administration experience should include the following:

1. An orientation (typically held the first day of class) that outlines student expectations for their course credit and the internship class

2. Student goals/objectives for the internship 3. A journal/time log

4. Written assignments such as a paper, analysis, reflection or other assignment that demonstrates learning objectives

5. A portfolio or other tool that demonstrates student work and skills gained, including an updated resume (the Fish*net – www.fisher.edu/fishnet - offers students a free online portfolio for example)

6. An oral presentation of what the student has learned and achieved during internship. Guidelines available through Career Services

7. Contact with the site supervisor mid-way through the internship to address any possible problems or concerns

8. For ECE practicums, 3 on-site visits are required by Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

9. A supervisor evaluation

For additional questions and support please contact the Office of Career Services at [email protected] or (617) 236-8878.

EMPLOYERS

Fisher College requires all baccalaureate students to complete a minimum 120-hour internship. Students earn 3 academic credits for this experience.

Components of a great internship

 Meets minimum hour requirements (120 hours over the course of the semester/term)

Early Childhood Education providers must provide a 150-hour experience to meet certification requirements.

(11)

 Exposes the student to aspects of their major beyond administrative components only (making copies and coffee will not gain academic credit)

 Ability to learn from others in the field

 Strong supervision

 Portfolio building assignments

Employer Requirements

 Have an orientation to allow the intern to get accustomed to the company, meet others, clearly define responsibilities and work space, and complete all required paperwork

 Provide supervision and adequate training for the intern; assigning the intern a mentor can help in this process

 Monitor and sign-off on the intern’s time logs (minimum of 120 hours must be completed)  Work with the student to develop site appropriate objectives

 Provide professional development feedback

 Complete a performance evaluation at the end of the internship period

 Support the student in completion of their paper and other academic components

Employer partnerships

To be an approved employer for a Fisher College internship experience you must provide a positive working environment for our students. An internship in a for-profit business must be paid unless it meets the following criteria defined by the Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act.

1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;

2. The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;

3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff; 4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern;

and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;

5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship, and;

6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.

For more information, please visit: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf

12-credit internship: Day students at Fisher College have the option of completing a 12-credit internship with equated to 480-hours in the field. This option may be completed over a 3 or 6-month time period. For more information on the 12-credit internship please contact the Office of Career Services.

(12)

Fisher College Internship Guide P a g e | 10 Thank you for considering a Fisher College intern!

For additional questions/comments please contact: Heather Carpenter

Director of Career Services Fisher College

118 Beacon St Boston, MA 02116 (617) 236-8838

[email protected]

(13)

DAY Intern Approval Form

This form must be complete to participate in any of the required or elective internship courses at Fisher

College. Submit completed form to your Internship Faculty member at least 1 week prior to the start of

the semester you have registered for internship.

Student Information:

Student Name: ID Number:

Campus: Semester:

Major: Course Number:

Fisher Email: Telephone:

Student’s Address while on Internship (Circle one: Campus or Home Address):

Street:

City:

State:

Zip:

Internship Organization:

Company’s Name: Street:

City: State: Zip:

Telephone: Fax:

Name of Supervisor:

Title: Telephone:

Supervisor E-mail address:

Intern’s Start Date:

Fisher College Internship Faculty Supervisor:

_________________________________________ __________________________________

Signature, if approved Date

(14)

(15)

DAPS Intern Application and Approval Form