Human Development Internships
Working in a Human Development related agency or community program is an exciting opportunity to use the skills and knowledge you have gained in your course work . It is also a chance for you to reflect on the profession and determine where your skills, knowledge and interests best fit. Further, an internship often leads to a job offer after WSU graduation.
The Internship (HD 498) is required of all majors (except those in the Family and Consumer Sciences and Preschool-Third Grade Teaching Credential programs, or those completing HD 446; some students opt to complete both 446 and 498). The internship provides opportunities for students to apply their HD classroom learning through direct work in the field and interaction with professionals in human development-related fields. Students will begin to evaluate themselves as professionals by shadowing staff in the field and then actually taking on professional duties at their internship site. Students will analyze and evaluate their experiential learning through a variety of written assignments completed during placements.
The Human Development Department Internship is a work and reflection experience, supervised by an on-site mentor and a WSU faculty member. During HD 497 (Professional Preparation Seminar) students work with the HD Internship Director (Mary Wandschneider) to identify sites which match their education, skills, and professional interests. Students select from over 1000 specific sites in the Northwest, additional ones across the country, and some internationally. Sites are with private organizations, businesses, or government agencies. Students complete interviews with site intern coordinators. After selection, students develop individualized learning plans based on agencies' needs and students' skills and interests. A few representative sites include:
- Head Start or NAEYC accredited preschool or child care centers
- Washington Department of Social and Health Services/Division of Child and Family Services
- Head Start Family Services
- YMCA Before and After School programs
- Child Study and Treatment Center (or other residential treatment facilities for adolescents with severe emotional problems)
- Healthy Start Teen Parenting Programs
- Community Action Centers, Housing or Parenting Departments
- Councils on Aging
*See following Basics of Internship for further details.
Basics of Human Development Dept. Internship
- REQUIRED: HD 498 (the internship) is required of all HD majors except those in the P-3 and Family and Consumer Sciences Teaching Credential programs, or those in ECE completing HD 446. Some students complete 446 and 498.
- PREREQUISITES: HD 497 (Professional Preparation Seminar), an additional minimum of 12 HD credits, Washington State Patrol Background Check verification, agency-WSU contract, and student Learning Agreement are prerequisites for the internship.
- CREDITS: HD 498 (Internship) is a variable credit (4-8) class which students enroll in and pay for during the semester they complete placements. HD majors are required to complete 4 credits (minimum 180 hours and 10 weeks of supervised on-site work), but may increase this to up to 8 credits with 45 hours of additional on-site work per additional credit. Most students complete more than the required hours.
- INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS include: (1) Fulfillment of expectations outlined on Learning Agreement student develops prior to placement during HD497, (2) completion of a minimum of 180 hours of supervised work with an agency (more for additional credits), and (3) completion of required written assignments.
- TIMING: Most internships occur during summer, but they may be completed any semester. Students must complete a minimum of 10 weeks of on-site work, most intern for 15-16 weeks, hours vary according to number of credits.
- PAYMENT: Most internships are unpaid; therefore, many students live with their families/friends during placement; some maintain part time jobs while interning.
- LOCATION: Most students complete internships in Washington state, but they may be completed in any state or in another country.
- SITE REQUIREMENTS: Some sites have particular prerequisite courses or minors for intern placement and for employment.
- INTERVIEWING: Students, with the assistance and approval of the internship coordinator, select their interview sites from the approved list. The coordinator has files (online or in Johnson Tower) of former and potential sites in Washington and across the country (and world) to assist in this process. Students complete three informational interviews with potential sites during the HD 497 semester.
- CHOOSING SITES: Sites make offers based on student's education and experience, resume, cover letter, recommendations, and interview. Students select site from offers.
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