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Internship Experience
When should students start thinking about internship?
We recommend students to start thinking about internship sites at least one year before their graduation date. Make sure you are on track with your academic plan. If you are unsure who your advisor is, email听[email protected]听or call 303鈥�615鈥�1099.
What is Internship Experience?
Internship experience is a graduation requirement for all human service majors and lies at the heart of our curriculum. It provides the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you鈥檝e gained in the classroom, build your professional network, and gain experience to include on your resume.
Students complete a minimum of 10 credit hours of internship experience coursework.
- 10 Credits: HSP 4840 can be completed in two 5-credit semesters (200 hours each semester) or in a single 10-credit semester HSP 4880 (400 hours).
Addictions Concentration
- 10 Credits: HSP 4840 can be completed in two 5-credit semesters (200 hours each semester) or in a single 10-credit semester (400 hours).
- 5-15 Credits: HSP 4880 can be completed in three semesters (200 hours) or two semesters (400 hours/200 hours).
Students who are in catalog years prior to 2024, please schedule an appointment with
Internship Due Dates
Internship Deadlines
In order to register for an internship class, you must first meet with the Internship Coordinator to discuss your possible placement site, to get department advising and to create a plan to graduate. The class sections and appointments with the Internship Coordinator are a first-come, first-serve basis. While we do our best to accommodate student needs, we cannot听guarantee that you will get a seat in the semester you desire.
We encourage you to sign up for Internship Info Sessions 1-2 semesters prior to registering for internship. Internship Info Sessions are offered during the fall and spring semester.
Please contact Internship Coordinator Yaz Rivera – [email protected]. The deadlines for meeting with the Yaz Rivera are as follows:
Do I need a background check before starting internship?
Each of you has a unique story, which draws you to the internship of Human Services, and there are situations where that history may include arrests, convictions or jail/prison time. We strongly encourage you to consider running a on yourself prior to the internship courses. It is very important, as you formulate your place in this internship, that you are aware that many felonies or combinations of misdemeanors may make you unable to find employment.
Can I do an Internship if I鈥檓 in recovery or on probation?
Policies Related to Internship Registration:
The following policies and procedures were adopted by MSU Department of Human Services and Counseling to support student success in the Internship placement experience:
- If you are in recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction, the 海角社区 Department of Human Services and Counseling requires that you have been clean and sober for a minimum of one and a half years prior to registering for internship placement.
- If you are on probation or parole, you are required to complete that probation/parole prior to internship placement.
- You may not seek placement at an agency where you have been a client in the last five years.
- You must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in order to qualify for internship.
Additionally, you may听be placed on a temporary or permanent hold from internship courses听if your history includes one or more of the following:
- One or more F鈥檚 in any 海角社区 course
- A current incomplete or an incomplete in the previous four semesters
- Prior removal from a placement (either by the agency or the HSP department)
- An improvement plan from the HSP Professional Review Team
- A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) in the past two years
- A violation of the 海角社区 Student Code of Conduct
If any of these issues impact you, you must disclose this information to the Internship Coordinator during your advising appointment. The Internship Coordinator will work with you to determine a strategy to complete your 海角社区 degree.
Requesting Exception
To request an exception to these policies, explain the situation to the Internship Coordinator in writing, providing a rationale for why you believe you are ready to do an Internship. You may include supporting documentation from a probation/parole officer, counselor, or other appropriate professional. The Internship Coordinator, in conjunction with faculty, will determine your readiness to participate in Internship. You may be asked to meet with the Internship Coordinator and faculty member before a decision is made.
I鈥檝e worked in the field for a long time. Can I portfolio out of an internship experience class?
Students with at least听two years of full-time human services experience in an area related to their concentration in the major may develop a portfolio showing evidence of prior learning in place of up to 200 hours. All students must take Internship (you cannot use a portfolio in place of internship). You must schedule a meeting with the Internship Coordinator for eligibility. The department policies for portfolio include the following:
HSP Portfolio Policies:
- B- or higher in ENG 1010 and ENG 1020
- Must complete the portfolio within 12 months of the Internship Coordinator and Department Chair signing off on your portfolio form.
- Once the form has been signed by the Department Chair and Internship Coordinator you will receive further steps on how to register for the course.
To find out more about the portfolio process please reach out to your Internship Coordinator.
Internship Sites
Do you need help with finding an Internship?
It is听your responsibility to secure an internship; however, the Internship Info Sessions is designed to assist you with this process. It is essential to schedule a meeting with your Internship Coordinator before you begin looking for sites.
Approved Internship Sites
Currently approved
Internship Manuals
Reviewing the HSP Internship Manual is the most important preparation you can do for the internship experience.
If you are a student, please review the student Internship Manual.
If you are a site supervisor, please review the Supervisor Internship Manual.
Both manuals are currently in the process of being revised and updated.
Criteria for the internship supervisor
Your internship supervisor must have a master鈥檚 degree in Human Services, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral or Social Sciences or a related field. An exception to this requirement may be made if the supervisor has the appropriate professional experience and expertise to create a positive learning environment for the student. Students must ask the Internship Coordinator for an exception to the master鈥檚 degree requirement and may need you to forward them your current resume.
In addition,听the supervisor must have the time and make the commitment to complete all the necessary paperwork and provide training, weekly supervision, support for developing a learning contract, and evaluation for the student.
Students who are seeking hours towards the Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS/CAT) must be supervised by an individual with a Licensed Addictions Counselor听(LAC) in order for those hours to count towards certification.
Students who are seeking state approval to work with domestic violence offenders must be supervised by a state approved听Domestic Violence Clinical Supervisor.
Your site supervisor must also:
鈥ill out all paperwork required by department in a timely fashion.
鈥acilitate student participation in appropriate learning activities.
鈥nswer questions and provide guidance to support student success.
鈥articipate in one or two site visits with the student and seminar instructor.
鈥ontact the seminar instructor with any questions or concerns during the placement.
鈥�Report any problems or concerns to the Internship Coordinator and seminar instructor immediately.
Agency and Site Supervisor Responsibilities
If an agency agrees to serve as a internship site, the site supervisor needs to be aware of the responsibilities involved in offering an effective learning environment for the student. The following is a list of responsibilities that the site supervisor, in conjunction with agency staff, must be willing to provide for the student:
鈥n orientation to the agency.
鈥ppropriate training and access to information about policies and procedures.
鈥ccess to other written materials to support student learning and effectiveness.
鈥 collaborative process with the student to develop the learning contract.
鈥ne hour of weekly supervision either in a one-on-one or group setting.
鈥ngoing feedback and a final evaluation.
鈥dequate work space and supplies.
Responsibilities At The Agency听
What sort of work will I be asked to do while I鈥檓 working at my agency?
Students must be aware of liability risks and safety procedures. There are a variety of appropriate learning activities that students can participate in while at an agency.
Students ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
- Shadow professionals in one-on-one sessions with clients and in groups and in other professional settings
- Co-facilitate groups with a qualified professional staff member
- Facilitate educational groups with supervision from a professional staff member
- Participate in staff meetings and training opportunities
- Conduct intakes after proper training
- Write chart notes and complete other agency documentation after proper training
- Enter client documentation and other data into computer systems
- Assist with grant writing, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and event planning
Is there anything I CANNOT do while I鈥檓 working at my placement?
The following activities may NOT be performed by a student (an exception can be made for students who are paid employees of an agency and are performing the activity as part of the normal work expectation for that position and who have received training that supports safety for the student, staff, and clients):
- Drive clients
- Provide individual psychotherapy for a client
- Lead psychotherapy groups without a qualified therapist present
- Open or close an agency by him/herself
- Restrain clients without proper training and supervision
- Be left in charge of the agency without a qualified supervisor present
- Have a case load of clients without appropriate supervision
Am I covered by Worker’s Compensation?
If you are not paid by the agency where you are doing your internship, you are covered by 海角社区 for on-the-job injuries. You must inform the Internship Coordinator, your seminar instructor, and 海角社区’s Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the injury and you must use an approved medical provider for any services or you will not be covered.
Your seminar instructor will have you sign a form acknowledging receipt of information about this policy. For more information about the policy and for a list of approved providers, go to the .
CORE COMPETENCIES (Departmental Learning Objectives)
The student is enthusiastic about the Human Services profession and is able and willing to cooperate with their internship supervisors, co-workers, other interns, and the public.
The student is able to understand the context of the agency, i.e. the infrastructure, organization, and the contributions to community life.
The student demonstrates an understanding of ethical issues and a knowledge of all ethics codes that may apply in the setting.
The student does not engage in activities that are contrary to the ethical standards and is able to use ethical decision-making when situations are not clear-cut.
The student is aware of: the impact of cultural diversity (in the broadest sense of the term); their own personal culture; the various ways in which an individual鈥檚 multiple aspects of identity interact.
The student is able to interact with individuals in meaningful ways that demonstrates an understanding of the impact of culture on personal style, values, perspectives and experiences.
The student produces clear professional writing as appropriate to the placement such as grants, reports, case notes, evaluations and assessments, marketing materials, etc.
DIRECT SERVICE DELIVERY SKILLS
The student communicates clearly and appropriately with their internship supervisors, clients, co-workers, and the public.
The student is receptive to feedback.
The student responds to feedback in a professional manner by adapting the feedback into future performance.
The student is able to initiate and communicate appropriately in individual and group settings.
The student utilizes communication to effectively manage conflict.
The student is able to provide the service that is appropriate to the internship site (for example: intake interviews, group facilitation, customer service, case management, mentoring, treatment planning, events coordination, educational presentations, fund- raising, grant writing, etc.).
The student uses critical thinking skills and applies knowledge to solve problems.
The student is willing to examine his/her own feelings, values, and behaviors and is aware of his/her own strengths and challenges
The student actively practiced self-care by establishing boundaries, seeking support when necessary, and taking steps to lead a healthy lifestyle.
The student presents him/herself in a professional manner through appropriate attire and personal grooming.