Unless you are specializing in Early Childhood Education or certifying in the Family and Consumer Science program, all other human development students complete an internship in a faculty-approved placement with a human services agency or organization, supervised by an on-site mentor and a WSU faculty member. In preparation for this experience, students must complete a professional preparation class (HD 497 for Pullman/Global Campus students and HD 496 for Vancouver students).
- Students progress from observation to independent work while completing periodic reflection papers as part of their internship coursework.
- Internships for Pullman/Global campus students must last at least 10 weeks and students must complete at least 180 hours of direct service experience.
- Most students plan for 10-12 weeks at their placement and work about 20 hours a week.
- Internships for students at the Vancouver campus last 15 weeks and students complete 135 hours of direct service experience (approximately 10 hours per week).
- The internship is expected to be a culminating experience, completed near the end of the degree program. Most internships occur during the summer following the completion of course work, but they may be completed any semester.
- While incredibly valuable in real-world experience and rich networking opportunities, most internships in human services are not paid.