INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES AND DOCUMENTATION

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Many departments offer internships for credit. See the department chair in your major or minor

concentration for availability. In contrast to an independent study, internships are centered on

practical experiences. These courses provide students the opportunity to apply previous

classroom theory to practical situations. The action component is generally at least as important

as the reading and writing components. Since internships are designed to meet genuine needs in

both public and private sectors of society, the projects must first earn the support of the

sponsoring agency or individual before the registration process may be completed. An intern

must normally have an on-site supervisor in addition to a faculty supervisor.

Under normal conditions the student will file with the Registrar an approved PROPOSAL FOR

INTERNSHIP STUDY (form is available at the Office of the Registrar) within the first week of

each full semester, and by the last day to add for the Summer Sessions.

GENERAL GUIDELINES OR REQUIREMENTS

1. Internships are assigned a varied number of credits, 1 to 6. More than one internship may

be taken, but no more than 6 credits of internship may apply toward the 124 credit hours

required for graduation.

2. Student must have junior or senior standing (completed 58 or more hours).

3. An internship may be undertaken only in the student’s major or minor field of study.

4. Student must be in good academic standing (not on academic probation). (Departments

may designate higher academic standards.)

5. A minimum of 40 hours of field experience for each credit hour earned is standard,

although the final number of hours will be established with the Faculty Supervisor.

6. The student and faculty supervisor are responsible for the academic soundness of the

proposal.

7. Internships will be graded in accordance with standard letter grade policy, unless

otherwise designated.

8. Internships may begin and end at any time during the academic year or summer. The

student should register for the term during which the majority of the work will be

completed.

9. Individual internships will have an established amount of credit, a description of the

experience, a statement of the educational objectives, and a means of evaluation. (See

department chair for details.)

Note on Summer Session Internships: If a student knows in advance that a summer

internship cannot be completed before the end of summer session, an Incomplete Grade

form should be filed at the same time as the Internship proposal. If circumstances beyond

the student’s control prevent the completion of a summer internship after the Internship

proposal has been filed, an Incomplete Grade form should be submitted no later than July

15. A prospective summer graduate must complete all internship requirements by the end

of summer session.

EVALUATION AND GRADING OF INTERNSHIPS

The department in which the internship will be taken is responsible for maintaining information

and evaluation on internships.

Internships require a minimum of two conferences with the faculty supervisor. The faculty

supervisor must visit the internship site at least once (preferably twice) during the internship, and

make an evaluation. (An alternative means of communication must be made if distance prohibits

visits to the site.)

Internships may include a reading assignment that bears upon the internship experience

undertaken.

Internships will include a writing assignment that records the learning process (journal, log,

observation report, etc.) as well as a summary paper that helps the intern reflect on the total

internship experience in terms of anticipated and unanticipated learning outcomes.

Grading for internships should be based on a written evaluative report from the site supervisor

(see Registrar for one possible sample form), faculty observations and/or conference with the

interns, and the quality of the written work submitted by the intern.

Students should be given the opportunity to evaluate the internship. An evaluation form will be

provided as for all campus courses.

PROPOSAL FOR MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE INTERNSHIP STUDY ______________________________________________________________________________

Term ________________ Today’s Date __________________

Name __________________________________ ID Number __________________

Address__________________________________ Phone Number _________________

Major _________________________ Minor________________ Class JR SR

Department and Catalog Number ________________________ Credit Hours ______

**A minimum of 40 hours is standard per credit hour granted**

Signature of Student_____________________________________________________________

I am applying for an internship at _______________________________________________

(Company/Organization)

Site Address ___________________________________ Site Phone Number ___________

Site Supervisor (Please Print) _____________________________________________________

Internship Begin Date ______________________ End Date ______________________

______________________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE STUDENT

After both sides of this form have been filled out and all signatures obtained, you should make

three copies of the entire form: a) one for Site Supervisor, b) one for Faculty Supervisor, and c)

one for your records. The original form must be given to the Office of the Registrar when you

register for the internship.

If an internship is performed with an employer who does not provide insurance coverage, i.e.

worker’s compensation insurance, you, as the intern, are responsible for having your own health

and accident insurance. If you, as an intern, choose not to carry or purchase health and accident

insurance, you will not hold Morningside College responsible for any costs or problems incurred

as a result of accidents.

EMPLOYER AGREEMENT

We agree to provide a meaningful internship at our organization for the above student. We will

report the progress and performance of the student to the faculty supervisor named on the

following page by completing a form of our choosing or a narrative evaluation.

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENTAL CONSENT

The sponsoring department agrees to provide departmental supervision for the above named

student during the period stated by scheduled communication with the Site Supervisor and the

student, plus visits to the site.

RATIONALE FOR INTERNSHIP

You must provide a brief description of your internship by listing your learning objectives

associated with the internship and the activities which will lead to the completion of each.

Learning Objectives Activities Supporting Objectives__

1.

2.

3.

4.

______________________________________________________________________________

We understand and agree with the guidelines, objectives, and activities listed on this form:

Signature of Intern: _______________________________ Date: __________

Signature of Site Supervisor: _______________________________ Date: __________

Signature of Faculty Supervisor: _______________________________ Date: __________

Signature of Department Chair: _______________________________ Date: __________

Signature of Associate Dean: _______________________________ Date: __________

**International Students Only**

This internship is an integral part of an established curriculum.

Signature of Faculty Advisor: _______________________________ Date: __________