COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SCIENCES

The internship experience provides the undergraduate student with practical experiences in relating theory to practice in a setting under close supervision from professionals and the University. It is an opportunity for the student to work and learn outside the classroom at an approved site. Typical settings include clinical sites, commercial fitness, corporate wellness, private wellness programs, recreational, and athletics and sports programs. 180 clock hours is required on the job for completion of the undergraduate internship.

Objectives

1. Apply kinesiology principles in a real-world setting.
2. Demonstrate preparation to enter professional practice.
3. Demonstrate initiative, leadership skills, professional mannerism, and appearance.
4. To develop positive rapport with site supervisor.

Program Description

Class requirements include scheduling a meeting with the university instructor of record for the undergraduate internship program to discuss approval of the internship site. This meeting should take place during advising time the quarter before you plan to register for your internship. Upon approval of your advisor you will then schedule an appointment with the internship coordinator. A contract must be established between an approved facility and the Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana Tech University. The contract is initiated from the Department of Kinesiology and sent to the selected site for written approval by signature. Once the agreement is received by the department, it is forwarded on to Louisiana Tech Executive Administration for approval and signatures. After completion of all required signatures and return receipt of the agreement to the Kinesiology department, the student will be notified by the internship coordinator they have been approved for their internship at the facility. This step must be completed at least one quarter before the student plans to register for the internship experience.

The chosen site must involve areas of physical activity, sport, health promotion & wellness, rehabilitation, and/or fitness. The student will need to be supervised daily by an experienced, qualified professional that is employed by the facility. Student may pursue internships at any approved location in the United States. Although most internship sites do not offer a stipend, it is permissible to accept paid internships.

Student Responsibilities

1. Schedule an initial visit with the internship coordinator to discuss the proposed internship.
2. Schedule an appointment to interview the facility site supervisor for an internship position.
3. Obtain signature from Kinesiology internship coordinator to register for KINE 415.
4. Make a formal application for an internship in the last month of the quarter prior to the internship.
5. Students must register for KINE 415 for 3 or 6 hours as approved by advisor and internship coordinator. A total of 180 clock hours are required on the job for completion of a 6 hour internship. This course is available for one quarter and must be completed within the quarter in which the student is registered. Students may complete the internship over 2 successive quarters (3 hours credit/90 intern hours per quarter) with internship coordinator approval. The internship can be completed the quarter before or the quarter of graduation.
6. Include current CPR certification and professional liability insurance.
7. Complete and keep track of all hours.
8. Dress neatly, professionally, and appropriately according to site supervisor’s instructions.
9. Respect patient/client privacy by keeping all information confidential.
10. Submit an initial report the first week of internship.
11. Submit typed weekly reports signed by site supervisor.
12. Submit site supervisor reports at 3 weeks and at the end of the internship.
13. Submit student final report and portfolio.
14. Attend exit interview as scheduled by Kinesiology Internship Coordinator.
15. Have a functioning e-mail address available on Moodle for communications purposes. Check e-mail and Moodle daily for communication from the Internship Coordinator.

Responsibility of the Facility

1. Meet with student to interview for the internship.
2. Write a letter to the Kinesiology Internship Coordinator stating acceptance of the student.
3. Sign and return the Louisiana Tech University Department of Kinesiology Internship Agreement.
4. Provide training and supervision for intern students while on the job.
5. Review and sign weekly reports, complete site supervisor 3 week report and final report.
6. Provide a safe and educational experience for intern students.

Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio is due at the end of your internship and will count as 10% of your grade. Include within the portfolio any training materials, contact phone numbers or email addresses, blank copies of patient report forms, or client exercise logs, policy and procedures, facility information, organizational charts, exercises, treatment modalities, photos, and any other literature you feel is important. Use a binder to put the portfolio together. Remember, patient/client information is private and confidential. Any documents with personal information should not be included in the portfolio. Your portfolio will be returned to you during the exit interview and will be a valuable resource to you in the future. Contact the internship coordinator with any questions you might have.

Student Forms are located on student’s Moodle page under KINE 415 (Internship)

• Kinesiology 415 application
• Kinesiology 415 flow chart

Supervisor Forms

• Third Week Report – Feedback report to be filled out by the internship supervisor every third week as incremental feedback on student performance.
• Final Report – Final report to be filled out by the internship supervisor as final feedback on student performance.