What are the Course Pre-Requisites?
Students must complete the following courses/hours prior to enrolling in the Internship:
How do I find an Internship?
While Internship site selection is a shared responsibility between the student and the Faculty Internship Coordinators, the ultimate final responsibility for securing the Internship rests with the student. Students are encouraged to meet with the Faculty Internship Coordinators to discuss their career interests and opportunities. The student needs to let the Faculty Internship Coordinator know her/his areas of interest so the Faculty Internship Coordinator can work with the student to determine availability of Internship positions and appropriate contact persons. The best way to identify areas of interest and establish connections with sport organizations is to actively volunteer with sport organizations and events. You can also use any experiential course assignments to introduce yourself to sport professionals. Several SPAD classes include case studies and industry assignments that enable you to work directly with industry representatives to complete those assignments. Being an active volunteer and using those class assignments strategically can help you to start building your network and identify your career interests.
How do I register for the internship class?
Before you may register for the internship, your Internship Application must be approved by the Faculty Internship Coordinator. Internship applications are available outside SAC East, Room 104L and can also be requested from the Faculty Internship Coordinators. The internship application must be completed, signed by both the Student and Site Supervisor, and submitted to the Internship Faculty Coordinator at least two weeks before an internship begins and no later than the first day of classes for the term in which the internship is to be completed. The student should specifically describe his/her internship responsibilities and activities. For an internship to be approved, it must contain significant administrative or managerial responsibilities. A current resume must be submitted with the completed application form.
Once this information is received and the internship approved, the student will receive an email notification when he/she can register. Registration can be made online as with any other class once the internship is approved.
How many hours do I have to work during my internship?
Undergraduate students: Depending on when you were admitted to the SPAD program, your internship credit hour requirement may vary. Generally, students admitted after Fall 2018 must complete six (6) credit hours (400 intern work hours) for the SPAD B.S. degree program. These credits are available in three-hour increments. If you are enrolling in three hours for a semester, you should enroll in two sections of SPAD 402 (i.e., SPAD 402.01 and SPAD 402.02). Undergraduate interns must work a minimum of 200 hours for each three-credit hour class. Thus, to satisfy all six credit hours the student will work a minimum of 400 hours.
Undergraduate students pursuing a minor or concentration in Sport Administration may only apply three credit hours of internship (i.e., one Internship section) toward their minor or concentration.
Graduate students are required to work a minimum of 400 hours for three credit hours for an Internship. Note: Graduate students in the Online Learning Program and the M.A. in Higher Education Program (SPAD Concentration) also complete 400 internship hours for three credit hours.
Is the Internship a “real” class?
Yes, the SPAD Internship is a real class with several academic assignments and expectations to be completed while you are working in your internship. The internship is closely supervised and designed to help you maximize your internship experience and demonstrate your professional competencies. You will complete several assignments including: prepare a recurring activity log describing your internship experiences, design and execute a major project in consultation with your internship site supervisor, and report and present to your peers about the overall quality of your internship experience. All assignments are explained in detail in the Internship Handbook.