A COA internship is required as part of each student's academic program and is as varied as each individual human ecologist.  The COA internship is a practical exercise in applying academics to the world of work.  The goals of an internship are to expose each student to the experience of :

• Making decisions regarding career options
• Marketing themselves to potential employers
• Carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a job
• Participating as part of a larger community work force
• Bringing those new perspectives back to campus to reflect upon and share with classmates/faculty.

A COA internship is an opportunity for students to gain practical experience by taking on the responsibilities of a full-time job in which they acquire skills other than those learned in the classroom. An internship lasts at least 10 weeks (full-time work) and not more than one year. The internship relates to the student's career goals, academic program or personal interests, and enables students to outline the relevance of work to their interpretation of human ecology.

Two Options to Fulfill the Internship requirement

There are two options available for meeting the Internship requirement as part of the academic course. Students have the choice of a credit or non-credit Internship. Both options require registration for one term, full-time work experience during one of the three academic terms or during the summer. Students must submit a proposal to the Internship Committee; information about the sponsor, organization or agency proposed as a site; a letter of commitment from the supervisor; and a current resume by the deadline set for that term of enrollment. The proposal package must be approved before the start date of the Internship. The Internship Committee evaluates the proposal package, and if approved, the student may begin work. Guidelines for proposals and resumes are available.

Once the credit or non-credit Internship is complete, the returning Intern makes a ten minute presentation to the Internship Committee and COA community. The student's Internship report and sponsor's evaluation are due 20 days into the next term of enrollment. The Internship Committee reviews and evaluates the experience based on the student's written report and sponsor's evaluation to determine if the Internship requirement has been met.

Internships for either academic credit or non-credit require a full-term enrollment off-campus. The tuition for a three-credit Internship is the same as that for three classes. Financial aid may be awarded, since the Internship counts as enrollment.

All expenses for travel, room and board, and other related costs for Internships are the responsibility of the student. Many Internship sponsors arrange for room and board. Some Interns receive stipends or salary with benefits.

Each student will want to individually evaluate the three options for meeting the Internship degree requirement. Jill Barlow-Kelley, Director of the Internship Program, is available to answer questions you may have about the options. Discuss your academic plans with your faculty advisor, financial aid staff and family members. Your choice is important to planning your academic program and your future goals.

The Student's Role in Fulfilling the Internship Requirement

The COA Intern will apply directly to the potential sponsor. This may be a formal standardized application, a resume and cover letter or a less formal personal interview.

The COA Intern will present a written proposal to the Internship Committee for approval prior to the start of work. The proposal will outline the position's responsibilities and the learning value of the work experience.

Click the link on the left for guidelines for writing an Internship Proposal.

The COA Intern will meet all normal requirements imposed on other employees at the proposed place of work.

The COA Intern, upon returning to campus, will make an oral presentation and will develop a written report and evaluation of their experiences that satisfies the requirements of the Internship Committee.

Click the link on the left for guidelines for writing an Internship Report.

The College's Role in Fulfilling the Internship Requirement

The College maintains the Office of Internships and Career Services as a source of information and guidance in investigating and selecting internships.

The College designated the Internship Committee to review proposals and reports. It is the Committee's responsibility to help students develop viable and challenging internships, then evaluate the final report for creditworthiness.

The College developed an advising system, involving faculty, administration, alumni and students, to support students as they explore the connections between their academic and vocational interests.

The College operates the Writing Center, a tutorial program to assist interns with all aspects of writing including a resume and a final internship report.

The Sponsor's Role in fulfilling the internship

The Sponsor may be any public or private, for-profit or non-profit, agency, organization or enterprise.

The Sponsor will commit to providing an appropriate level of supervision for the predetermined job description and length of time.

The Sponsor will arrange for compensation with the intern. In most positions room and board expenses are provided. The college feels that a sense of mutual responsibility and commitment is developed through the payment of wages. Few interns have the financial means to support themselves while on a volunteer internship. Salaries have ranged from $800 to $2,000 for a ten-week period.

The Sponsor will, upon conclusion of the internship, submit a written evaluation about the students' personal work habits and general work performance to the Internship Committee.