HANDBOOK

PRACTICUM IN HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY STUDIES
(HDFS 44092/54092) AND PRACTICUM IN
GERONTOLOGY (GERO 44092)

SCHOOL OF LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATIONAL

SCIENCES

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 WHAT IS A PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP?

Practicums/Internships are the bridge between academia and the professional world. They
provide students with an opportunity to gain professional skills that will enhance marketability
upon graduation from college. The word internship refers to a short-term work experience when
a student participates in a program of temporary, supervised work in a particular field in order to
gain practical experience. It incorporates education and professional development and is
designed to guide the intern toward a professional career in a particular organization, field, or
sector. The word practicum refers to a course involving activities emphasizing the practical
application of theory, especially one in which a student gains on-the-job experience in a field of
study (Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 5th Ed.).

In an internship or practicum, the student becomes part of an organization. An organization

provides a learning laboratory where students experience the working world. Through
observation and reflection of what occurs in the organizational setting, the student may discover
how academic interests relate to possible careers, gain meaningful on-the-job experience and
training, and connect classroom theory to real-world practice. Students contribute to the
organization by performing meaningful projects and assignments that are of continuing value to
both parties.

In the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Kent State University, the
purpose of the practicum/internship experience is to provide students with an opportunity to
work in a human service/gerontology/nonprofit organization. The goals of the
practicum/internship class include:

1. Acquainting students with organizations that provide services to individuals, families

and older adults, as well as the wide variety of organizations served by the nonprofit
sector.
2. Providing situations that require application of academic theory to actual situations.
3. Developing interpersonal skills needed to work with clients as well as individuals
employed by the organization.
4. Providing knowledge about career possibilities for HDFS and GERO majors and
students pursuing Nonprofit Studies.

In addition, the student provides a service to the organization while expanding his/her personal
and professional knowledge.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP

In the practicum/internship setting, there are three major participants: the practicum/internship
student, the cooperating organization supervisor, and the university faculty supervisor. The
student will be placed in a practicum/internship setting to meet educational and professional
goals unique to the student’s human service and/or nonprofit career focus. The cooperating
organization supervisor serves as a mentor and a guide for the student. The university faculty

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supervisor coordinates, collaborates, advises, and evaluates the practicum/internship experience.
The organization and the university collaborate to make the practicum/internship experience both
challenging and successful for the student. Each participant in the practicum/internship
experience has unique roles and responsibilities. The following pages describe the diverse
parameters of each of these participants and their roles during the practicum/internship.

OBJECTIVES – PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP

The Practicum/Internship will provide the student with an opportunity:

To obtain a meaningful experience in a profession related to Human Development and

Family Studies (HDFS), Gerontology (GERO), or Nonprofit Studies (NPST) prior to
graduation.

To apply knowledge and theory learned in an academic setting to actual situations in a

field-based setting.

To provide feedback regarding the relevance of the HDFS, GERO, and NPST curriculum
to the field-based setting.

To develop relationships and interact with experienced professionals.

To develop or enhance professional skills under the simultaneous guidance of a related

organization supervisor, and a faculty supervisor.

The Practicum/Internship will provide the cooperating organization with an opportunity:

To assume an instrumental role in the educational preparation of aspiring professionals.

To assess prospective candidates for possible future employment. To maintain contact with
University faculty for the purpose of relating current academic theory to practical
situations.

To stimulate professional staff interest in continuing education and in-service training

programs.

To implement programs for which they have not previously had staff expertise.

The Practicum/Internship will provide the Kent State University Human Development and
Family Studies, Gerontology, and Nonprofit Studies faculty with an opportunity:

To provide a field-based experience for students to utilize knowledge and theory while
actively participating in the profession.

To evaluate the student’s professional capabilities.

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 To promote the ongoing student evaluation of the HDFS, GERO and NPST curriculum.

THE ROLE OF THE FACULTY SUPERVISOR

The faculty supervisor is responsible for teaching, coordinating, advising, supervising, and
evaluating the university program. The faculty supervisor makes suggestions, challenges, and
supports the professional development of the student. The faculty supervisor maintains
communication between the organization supervisor and student, making sure that each
participant is clear in goals and experiential criteria for learning in the program. The faculty
supervisor performs all of the following functions.

1. Designing the Practicum/Internship – This includes:

A. Assisting the student to determine goals.
B. Supervising and monitoring of the practicum/internship experience.
C. Developing and initiating procedures for evaluation.

2. Determining Academic Credit for the Practicum/Internship – The

practicum/internship may be taken for a total of 3-6 credit hours. Please refer to the table
below:

Fall and Spring Semester

Credit Class Meeting Weekly Field Total Field Hours

Hours Hours
3 6 times per semester 14 210
4 6 times per semester 21 315
5 6 times per semester 28 420
6 6 times per semester 35 525

Summer Session II

Credit Class Meeting Weekly Field Hours Total Field Hours

Hours
3 Online 26.25 210
4 Online 39.50 315

Students who complete their internship/practicum during the summer will complete the same
number of hours as those who take it during the academic year. The Practicum course is offered
during Summer Session II. Internship/practicum hours need to be completed by the last day of
the session.

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3. Placement and Supervision of Students – Placement considerations include the
student’s professional goals, motivation, maturity, ability, available transportation,
academic record and experience. The faculty supervisor will be available to discuss
appropriate organization placements. It is recommended that the student follow up with
three or more interviews, taking a resume to share with potential organization
supervisors. The degree of supervision will vary from student to student, but the faculty
supervisor is accessible to each student on an ongoing basis.

4. Maintain Organization Relations – The various participants in the practicum/internship

are partners in learning. The faculty supervisor develops and maintains this partnership
through communication, and mediation, when necessary.

5. Evaluating the Student – Initiative is taken by the faculty supervisor to provide

evaluation criteria for each student’s progress. Completing homework assignments, class
attendance/ participation and writing a reflection paper will be among the requirements
for completing the class. Midterm and a final evaluation forms will be sent electronically
to the organization supervisor who will be asked to provide information that will be
considered in determining the student’s grade.

THE ROLE OF THE ORGANIZATION SUPERVISOR

The organization supervisor serves as a mentor, guide, educator, and resource professional for the
student in the practicum/internship experience. The organization supervisor must integrate the
educational needs of the student with the learning experiences possible within the organization
setting. The organization supervisor’s role includes the following:

1. Planning – The student’s practicum/internship position assignments and other projects

should be carefully defined, and all parties should have a clear understanding of
expectations in terms of productivity and educational growth. The Practicum/Internship
Agreement and syllabus indicate these assignments and position requirements.

2. Participate in recruitment and selection – The organization supervisor interviews

potential practicum/internship students and plans their participation based upon
organization policy and university guidelines. Placement requires clear goals and job
descriptions as well as timelines for meeting assignments throughout the semester.

3. Orientation – The organization supervisor should give the student information about
the mission, procedures, and services of the organization as well as its culture. Any
specific obligations that the student must meet prior to beginning practicum/internship
should be explained (i.e., fingerprinting, liability insurance, safety, training,
background checks, physical exam, or tuberculosis screening). The supervisor assists
the student in planning goals and objectives for the term as well as re-evaluating these
goals during the practicum/internship experience.

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4. Scheduling and assignment – The organization supervisor assists students with
assignments, time and activity reports, dates for orientation and training, and other
deadlines and professional responsibilities.

5. Modeling – The supervisor becomes part of the student’s image of what it means to
serve as a human service/nonprofit professional. Often the interpersonal relations and
support that develops between an organization supervisor and a student are significant
to the student’s self-confidence and skill development. The organization supervisor can
support the student by sharing professional development activities and interests.
6. Understand characteristics of students – Organization supervisors serve as mentors
of students. An understanding of characteristics of undergraduate and graduate
students may support mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation between
supervisor and student:
A. In general, students are available for one term only. Tasks assigned must be possible
to accomplish within the time limits of the practicum/internship agreement and the
term assignments for the class.

B. Students are oriented toward impact. They often desire to “make a difference” in the
lives of clients. This zeal can serve as a strong motivational force for the student;
however, students need to be cautioned about moving too fast within parameters of
organization protocol and client needs and goals.

C. Students are novice professionals. They may be naïve or idealistic about procedures
and protocol. They need clear guidelines for behavior and standards. They need
regular meetings with supervisors to process their ideas, perceptions, feelings and
questions.

D. Students need open lines of communication. They need to be told that their initiative
is valued. Realistic explanations and feedback, as well as regular meetings with their
supervisor, help in dealing with these issues. Any conflicts that may arise need to be
addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

E. Students have educational as well as service goals during the practicum/internship.

They need to be challenged to read, analyze, and explore during the
practicum/internship experience in order to understand the implications of
organization programs and procedures. New goals and assignments may need to be
added to encourage and challenge in the professional experience.

F. Students need to recognize strengths as well as limitations in setting realistic goals for
the practicum/internship.

7. Evaluation of student performance – The organization supervisor will be asked to

complete a written evaluation of the student’s progress at midterm and at the end of the
semester. Forms for this will be provided by the faculty supervisor via email, and the
evaluation will be considered in determining the student’s final grade. Areas of

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 concern should be identified and reported to the university faculty supervisor so that
there is time for the student to develop appropriate skills.

THE ROLE OF THE PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP STUDENT

The practicum/internship is a professional experience that introduces the student to the human
service/gerontology/nonprofit field. This experience can contribute to the student’s knowledge,
develop skills, and provide awareness of personal and career strengths or limitations. It provides
the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the organization, develop a number of
professional skills, acquire a greater understanding of the responsibilities of human
service/gerontology/nonprofit professionals at the selected organization, and provide
opportunities to network with other professionals. Moreover, a practicum/internship experience
enables the student to decide whether the organization provides the type of career opportunities
the student wants.

The student’s role includes:

1. Developing goals and objectives with the university and organization supervisor that will
guide the practicum/internship experience.

2. Abiding by the policies and regulations of the organization including meeting the
requirements for organization personnel, maintaining confidentiality, and acting in an ethical
manner.

3. Developing an understanding of the duties/responsibilities of organization employees.

4. Maintaining professional boundaries when interacting with clients and organization staff.

5. Recognizing the limits of the student’s professional skills and seeking help from the
organization or faculty supervisors when those limits are met.

6. Keeping both the faculty and university supervisors informed of interactions with clients and
practicum/internship responsibilities.

7. Communicating in a professional manner with clients, organization personnel, and the

university supervisor. This includes all oral and written interaction.

Demonstrating initiative as well as completing organization and class assignments in accord with
deadlines. This includes completing the appropriate paperwork prior to the beginning of the
internship/ practicum. The student is responsible for finding an organization placement as well as
securing transportation to and from the organization. The Practicum Agreement and Dismissal
Policy Form must be completed, signed by the student and the direct supervisor and submitted to
the instructor. The forms can be returned to the instructor by scanning the document and sending
it as an attachment via email, fax (330-672-2194), U.S. Mail, (P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44240)

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or by delivering the form to the instructor. Forms must be completed by the deadline that is listed
below:

Fall Semester June 30th

Spring Semester November 30th
Summer Session II April 30th

If paperwork has not been received by the deadline, the student may be de-registered from the
class unless external unforeseen circumstances exist. It is imperative that ongoing
communication exists between the student and the instructor in order for all of the necessary
arrangements to be made prior to the beginning of the internship/practicum.

Revised April 2019