Course Syllabus

Course: EXSC 1997

Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Physical Education
Title: Exercise Science Internship I

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

Catalog Description: This course is designed to provide hands-on experiences in Physical Education. Internships are an opportunity for students to link theory with practice. They are temporary, on-the-job experiences intended to help students identify how their studies in the classroom apply to Physical Education. Internships are individually arranged by the student in collaboration with a faculty member in the PE Department and a supervisor at the workplace. This course is recommended for first-year students and 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
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1-3; Lecture: 1-3; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes. Repeatable up to six credits


Justification: “An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate them.” (NACE Definition, NACEweb.og)As such, internships provide students opportunities to explore career options through an engaged setting, they help students apply academic materials and skill to practical work situations, they provide valuable professional experience, and they develop 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 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 that connection through a reflection paper, their journal entries, and in conversation with faculty mentor and work supervisor.

Develop interpersonal skills. This will be demonstrateed by negotiating with faculty and supervisors as they design an internship contract and work documentation.

Develop professionalism. Students will demonstrate this by developing self-initiative, time management skills, effective communication skills, punctuality, and professional conduct. This will be assessed through periodic superior work reviews.

Connect something from work environment back to the discipline.  They will demonstrate this in their journals, reflections, and in conversation with their faculty mentors.


Content:
This will be determined collaboratively by the 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. Together the student, faculty advisor, and worksite 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:
To receive credit for an internship, a student needs to work in the profession at least 45 hours for each credit. The academic projects are additional expectations.

Work supervisor evaluation 20 to 30%

Work documentation 20 to 30%

Reflection essay 20 to 30%

Journal 20 to 30%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Instructor supplied if necessary.


Pedagogy Statement:
Credit is earned through experiential learning and reflection. The teaching methods utilized will provide for an array of learning styles and methods that promote inclusiveness for all people taking this internship. This class is a great launching point for student's learning and practice.

Instructional Mediums:
Internship

Maximum Class Size: 1
Optimum Class Size: 1