Course Syllabus

Course: HFST 1997

Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Education and Family Studies
Title: Home and Family Studies Internship I

Semester Approved: Fall 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
End Semester: Summer 2029

Catalog Description: This is an internship in the Education and Family Studies Department. Students can choose an internship opportunity in Education, Early Childhood Education, Daycare, Foods, Sewing, Human Development, or Consumer Services. Internships are temporary, on-the-job experiences intended to help students identify how their studies in the classroom apply to the workplace. Internships are individually arranged by the student in collaboration with a faculty member in the chosen discipline and a supervisor at the workplace.This course is repeatable for up to 6 credits, with no more than 3 credits per semester. Additional fees required. Internships are typically pass/fail credits. Students desiring a grade will need to negotiate a contract with significant academic work beyond the actual work experience.

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1-3; Lecture: 1-3; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.


Justification: Internships provide students opportunities to explore career options through an engaged setting, help students apply academic materials and skill to practical work situations, provide valuable professional experience, provide exposure to diverse workplaces and people, and they develop various interpersonal skills.Students who participate in internship opportunities secure work more quickly and are promoted more rapidly than students who do not. Often internships work well as capstone courses. All USHE institutions offer internship opportunities to their students.Students at Snow can enroll in up to 3 internship credits in an academic semester. No more than 6 credits can count toward the associate’s degree. Duplicate experience for additional credit is not allowed.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Understand and apply classroom material to a professional work situation.  Students will demonstrate understanding and application through a reflection paper, their journal entries, and in conversation with faculty mentor and work supervisor.

Develop interpersonal skills by negotiating with faculty and supervisors. Students will design an internship contract and follow through with regular journal entry and measurement.

Develop professionalism by developing self-initiative, time management skills, effect communication skills, punctuality, and professional conduct.  Professionalism will be assessed through periodic work reviews and reflection essays that will be conducted by the lead instructor.

Connect something from work environment back to the discipline. Students will demonstrate this connection in their journals, reflections, and in conversation with their faculty mentors. If more than one credit is contracted for then students will also complete a portfolio and/or a work project.


Content:
This will be determined collaboratively by student, faculty mentor, and job supervisor. The internship contract uses a student’s academic and professional interests to serve as the intellectual starting points for developing a semester-long project. Semester projects may include opportunities for students to work with diverse cultures and populations. Often students are placed in areas where education is needed to fulfill their project. Together the student, faculty adviser, and work-site supervisor will design a project that meets the following criteria:1) Aligns with the student’s academic program,2) Offers the student an opportunity to significantly expand their current knowledge and skill set; and3) Aligns with the student’s professional pursuits.To qualify for an internship, a student must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA); have completed 30 semester hours or have instructor permission; and ideally have completed coursework that relates to the work experience.

Key Performance Indicators:
Work Supervisor Reviews/faculty-mentor conversation evaluations 20 to 30%

Work Documentation/contract 10 to 20%

Reflection Paper 15 to 20%

Journal 15 to 20%

Portfolio/Work Project 20 to 40%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Instructor materials provided.


Pedagogy Statement:
This credit is earned in a hands-on, lab type experience. Students are required to assist learners and educators through learning various educational techniques and methods. Students will be included in instruction techniques to promote inclusivity and to help students to incorporate learning in multiple styles. The role of the teacher is to mentor, evaluate, and assign a grade. To receive credit for an internship, a student needs to work in the profession at least 45 hours for each credit. For each credit awarded, students must complete a portfolio or work project.

Instructional Mediums:
Internship

Maximum Class Size: 4
Optimum Class Size: 2