Internship Supervisor and Organization Role when a Student is Earning Collegiate Credit
Internships for credit entail supervision at the employer site as well as oversight by a faculty member. A student earns their grade based on several criteria, including attainment of a minimum number of hours worked and site supervisor feedback on student attainment of learning objectives/goals.
The following outlines the role of the Organization and the Site Supervisor when a student is earning credit for their internship.
Depending on the student’s major, there may be slight adjustments to this list.
The organization will agree to:
- Supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience. Typically a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a related degree is required.
- Ensure student is fully oriented to the agency, staff, policies and procedures.
- Provide resources, equipment, and facilities that support learning objectives/goals.
- Ensure intern work schedule allows for attendance of courses at Penn State.
Site supervisor will agree to:
- Assist the student in attainment of goals and objectives on the “Learning Agreement”. The Learning Agreement contains clearly defined objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student's academic coursework and of utility to the employer. This is co-developed by the site supervisor and student and approved by the faculty supervisor prior to start of the internship for credit.
- Provide necessary training, one hour of weekly supervision and routine feedback on performance and expectations.
- Monitor and approve weekly hours worked toward the required number of hours for the internship (300 hours for students in Engineering, Business and IT, 120 hours for Communications majors, 480 hours for Human Development and Family Studies majors. The number of hours falls within this range for all other majors).
- Communicate with the faculty supervisor as warranted. Report immediately to the faculty internship instructor any student problem that develops.
- Provide written evaluation of student a minimum of two times: mid and end of semester.