Applied Community Internships

There are experiential learning funding opportunities, so please review the EL website for guidelines and due dates!

This program allows HDFS Majors to gain 6 (240 clock hours) credit hours through placements in a variety of community settings at the local, state or national level that allows students to meet the following objectives:

Departmental Objectives

  • Students will integrate and apply theory, research, and ethical practices to the understanding of human development and family processes.
  • Students will demonstrate and disseminate knowledge about social, cognitive, psychological, physiological, and emotional development as it relates to optimal individual and family functioning throughout the lifespan.
  • Students will critically and scientifically identify and evaluate the interconnected systems that impact the changing social environment in which individuals and families are embedded.

Course Objectives

  • Students will build upon their existing knowledge base in family science and/or Family Life Education to further develop their skills.
  • Students will apply their knowledge of family science and/or Family Life Education in a professional setting.          
  • Students will evaluate their performance as well as their strength and growth in the workplace.    
  • Students will learn the experiences of those who work in family science settings and /or Family Life Education settings. 

FLE Content Areas and CFLE Matrix will be used to review and approve your internship site.

What do I need to do now?

  1. Meet with your advisor to discuss the requirements.
  2. Enroll in HDFS 3110 Professional Development to explore career interests and options, personal attributes, and professional competencies as they relate to seeking internships, employment, and/or graduate education in human development and family science-related fields. You should enroll in HDFS 3110, 1 semester before the internship.
  3. During HDFS 3110, you will identify an Applied Community Internship - a supervised professional practice in settings with employed persons in human development and family science-related fields.
  4. After submitting an HDFS Internship Application in HDFS 3110 for the site, the department will review it. 
  5. If the application is approved, then permission to register for HDFS 5910 will be processed.

Application Deadlines

Internship application deadlines are approximately 8 weeks into the fall/spring semester. You will gain access to the application in HDFS 3110.

Where do students complete internships?

The following are examples of historical internships based on students’ specialized learning goals and potential careers, but the sites listed are not guaranteed placements. Please note that all internships are not approved until you submit a completed application in HDFS 3110.

You may be able to receive research internship credit (HDFS 5950) through the London Program, so please ask your advisor for additional information and visit the Applied Research Internship page for additional information to plan for the required prerequisites for those experiences.

General HDFS Emphasis

Prevention/Intervention Track

Disability Certificate and Health Related Track

Many of the options listed above represent career opportunities. *These career pathways may require a Master's Degree or Certificate.

You are not limited by the placements suggested. Use the following resources to search for additional options. Please remember that final approval for an internship site is not provided until you are enrolled in HDFS 3110 and have completed a fully executed departmental internship application.

HDFS Internship Fair

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I get course credit?
  2. Does the department place me in an internship?
  3. How long does the internship last?
  4. How many hours do I have to complete?
  5. What will my schedule look like?
  6. Do I have time off for holidays?
  7. Can I receive internship credit for previous volunteer or employment experiences?
  8. Can I intern outside the state of Georgia?
  9. Are internships available outside of the United States?
  10. What qualifications does the internship site need to have?
  11. What qualifications does my supervisor need to have?
  12. Are school district placements available?
  13. Are medical placements available?
  14. Are Child Life placements available?
  15. Are clinical counseling internships available?
  16. I am not interested in pursuing a career in an HDFS related field. Can I complete an internship in another field?
  17. Can I pursue multiple internships?
  18. Does the department provide paid internships?
  19. Can I get paid for my internship?
  20. Can I complete an internship with a placement where I have ongoing volunteer or employment experience?
  21. What information am I required to provide to placements?
  22. What if I cannot move forward with my secured internship?
How do I get course credit?

Register for 6 credits of HDFS 5910 (see above for steps).

Although most internship are off-campus, HDFS 5910 is a course that is designated by the university and has an official course time (designated in the course schedule) that is followed during your internship.

You should be mindful of tuition deadlines. Because it is an internship, some university fees can be waived.

During the internship, you will be required to:

  • Attend your internship  for the ENTIRE semester.
  • Complete weekly assignments
  • Participate in meetings on campus/technology
  • Complete a project
Does the department place me in an internship?

As you learn about professional development in HDFS 3110, you will apply your knowledge and skills to identify, research, and secure an internship.

  1. The department does not place you in an internship.
  2. You are responsible for securing a placement that meets the departmental and course objectives related to Human Development and Family Science.
  3. You must be proactive in thinking about your placement.
  4. We will help guide you through the process, but we cannot do it for you.
  5. There are firm, intentional deadlines in place for a reason, so please understand that they must be met as indicated on the schedule. If they are not, you may need to shift your plans.
  6. For example, students seeking an Applied Internship (5910) will complete an application that is used to develop a Memorandum of Understanding, which is a legal document required (by UGA Legal Affairs) for you to complete an internship for credit. The process to complete the MOU cannot occur until your completed application is submitted – student + supervisor = complete.
How long does the internship last?

Like other classes that you register for as a student, HDFS 5910 (Applied Community Internship) has requirements that include attendance, clock hours per credit hour, assignments, etc.

The class begins on the first day class day and extends across the ENTIRE designated semester until the last class day - look at the academic calendars for 

  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer Thru Session

During the semester of your internship, you are required to follow the guidelines set by your instructor, your supervisor and the university.

How many hours do I have to complete?

Internship Hours

Semester

Credit Hours

Average Weekly Clock Hours

Total Clock Hours
Fall or Spring

6

~16

240
Summer 6  ~30 240

You must remain in your internship until the end of the semester.  Increasing the number of clock hours you work per week will NOT satisfy internship requirements. 

When you register for HDFS 5910, you agree to complete these hour requirements and all other required work for the class. 

What will my schedule look like?

During your internship, as a department, we advise that you DO NOT exceed 40 clock hours per week. For the purposes of this internship, you cannot count hours that exceed 40 hours on your time sheet.

You ultimately create your schedule with your internship supervisor. Please understand that the number of hours per week suggested are averages, so variability is possible and will not necessarily mean that you are present 5 days per week. 

For example, if you are taking classes MWF, then you may choose to complete your internship on T/TH.

Do I have time off for holidays?

University set holidays are excused absences if your supervisor approves it - communication is key. For example, observing Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and yes - Spring Break.

Some holidays are accounted for in the academic calendar, so you will not lose an opportunity to gain hours when you see UGA Holiday in the calendar.

Communicate proactively with your site, but recognize that absences from your site might impact your ability to complete weekly assignments in HDFS 5910 that are linked to clock hours.

Can I receive internship credit for previous volunteer or employment experiences?

No credit will be given to volunteer or employment experiences performed prior to completion of HDFS 3110 and enrollment in HDFS 5910, which coincides with the first class day of the term in which you are enrolled. 

In HDFS 3110, you will complete an application that specifies your internship responsibilities and explains how you will apply departmental objectives. The application is then used to develop a legal agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding that MUST be in place before you begin the internship. This is NOT just an HDFS Department requirement - it is a UGA requirement.

Can I intern outside the state of Georgia?

Yes, but keep in mind your travel and living expenses. The college and department are not responsible for providing financial assistance; the student is responsible for all expenses.

Are internships available outside of the United States?

You may be able to receive research internship credit (HDFS 5950) through the London Program, so please ask your advisor for additional information and visit the Applied Research Internship site for additional information to plan for the required prerequisites for that experience.

What qualifications does the internship site need to have?

The site must allow you to apply HDFS Objectives:

  • Students will integrate and apply theory, research, and ethical practices to the understanding of human development and family processes.
  • Students will demonstrate and disseminate knowledge about social, cognitive, psychological, physiological, and emotional development as it relates to optimal individual and family functioning throughout the lifespan.
  • Students will critically and scientifically identify and evaluate the interconnected systems that impact the changing social environment in which individuals and families are embedded.

Organizations should be certified or licensed by the appropriate accrediting body. Some examples include:

  • American Camp Association
  • National Association of the Education  of Young Children (NAEYC) or other nationally recognized agency for child care environments
  • American Marriage and Family Therapy Association and/or American Psychological Association.
What qualifications does my supervisor need to have?

Supervisors must have at least a B.S. Degree and if awarded in the last year, at least 3 years relevant experience in the field, particularly if the degree is not related to in Human Development and Family Science, or other related program areas. This is to ensure that they can provide adequate supervision. A relative may not supervise your experience.

Are school district placements available?

If you interested in a school district placement, you need to discuss with the instructor of HDFS 3110 to ensure that it meets the requirements of the department and follows the district guidelines and procedures.

Are medical placements available?

Medical placements are permissible under certain circumstances, but your past experience and education must be reflected in your responsibilities. Some educational outreach placements may be approved, as well as other opportunities that enable you to interact with specific populations. Internship placements in hospitals are possible. Please communicate with your instructor to ensure that the hospital you are interested in has an existing MOU with the college and/or university.

If a site utilizes ACEMAPP or require faculty to sign Student Participation Agreements, then we are unable to accommodate their requirements (not a viable site). 

Are Child Life placements available?

Child Life Practicum experiences may count as an internship for your HDFS degree. Please communicate with your advisor proactively if this is something you are interested in pursuing. If you are not accepted into the Child Life Practicum, or if UGA and the hospital cannot agree to the terms in the Memorandum of Understanding, you are responsible for finding another internship opportunity.

There are placements that provide Child Life like experiences in non-hospital settings.  Internship placements in hospitals for Child Life are not possible.

Are clinical counseling internships available?

Yes! Although most counseling internships require graduate-level coursework, there are plenty of local, state, and national placements that offer you opportunities to learn more about counseling and therapy.

As part of your degree requirements in Family and Consumer Sciences, with a major in Human Development and Family Science, your internship must provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge you have gained in this department. More specifically, you must be able to apply these objectives during your applied learning experience:

Departmental Objectives

  • Students will integrate and apply theory, research, and ethical practices to the understanding of human development and family processes.
  • Students will demonstrate and disseminate knowledge about social, cognitive, psychological, physiological, and emotional development as it relates to optimal individual and family functioning throughout the lifespan.
  • Students will critically and scientifically identify and evaluate the interconnected systems that impact the changing social environment in which individuals and families are embedded.

Course Objectives

  • Students will build upon their existing knowledge base in family science and/or Family Life Education to further develop their skills.            
  • Students will apply their knowledge of family science and/or Family Life Education in a professional setting.          
  • Students will evaluate their performance as well as their strength and growth in the workplace.    
  • Students will learn the experiences of those who work in family science settings and /or Family Life Education settings. 

FLE Content Areas and CFLE Matrix will be used to review and approve your internship site.

Can I pursue multiple internships?

Only ONE internship placement per semester is allowed.  The internship is designed to provide a depth of experience within one agency. Additionally, only one internship for course credit will be granted per semester. The course (5910) is repeatable for up to 12 hours of credit, but you must take 6 credit hours for two consecutive semesters. 

The department does not seek or provide paid internships.  Students are responsible for all expenses related to the internship.

It is important to understand that the need for employment cannot be considered as justification for an internship placement. Remember, as an academic, applied internship, the focus is on learning, not employment. The following things will need to be addressed:

  • Internship activities must be separate and substantially different from the intern’s regular duties and work hours. In addition, internship activities should require a level of competence not presently within the intern’s skill base or areas of expertise.
  • The intern is to function as a trainee during internship hours.
  • There must be no ethical conflicts of interest.
  • The employer must be able and willing to recognize the intern as a professional-in-training and to provide him/her with tasks and activities that meet the goals of the internship experience.
  • The boundaries between regular work activity and internship tasks must be clearly spelled out in contractual agreements between the intern, employer, supervisor, and faculty advisor.
Can I complete an internship with a placement where I have ongoing volunteer or employment experience?

These requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  At a minimum, your duties during the internship (5910) must be substantially different from previous or current duties.

What information am I required to provide to placements?

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is required, which is a legal document required (by UGA Legal Affairs) for you to complete an internship for credit. The process to complete the MOU cannot occur until your completed application is submitted –student + supervisor = complete.

  1. Student submits HDFS Internship Application
  2. Supervisor submits HDFS Internship Application
  3. Department reviews the completed application
  4. If approved, the completed application will be used to develop an MOU
  5. The department will communicate with the site to process the MOU
  6. Once the MOU is returned by the site, it will be routed through various department, college, and university offices for approval

A Release of Authorization form is required that allows your instructor(s) to communicate with internship supervisors about you and your experience.

An Applied Learning Experience Agreement is required.

If the facility requires any documentation (background checks, immunization records, physical, drug screening, or others communicated), we will only inform you of the request. The University shall not review or certify the results of such checks and it shall be the placement's sole responsibility to make a determination of acceptance prior to student's start date.  

Students are financially responsible for completing all additional requirements that may be asked of them (background check, drug screening, etc.). Your placement may require you to purchase additional insurance, for which you are financially responsible.

You may be unable to begin your experience if you do not comply with their requirements.

What if I cannot move forward with my secured internship?

If a student experiences extenuating circumstances that impact their ability to complete the​ir secured and approved internship as planned (i.e. submitted the required materials for approval), they may request that the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee review the extenuating circumstances for a change to their plan of study. The request must be made in writing to the instructor of HDFS 3110 at least six weeks in advance of the start of the internship and, if approved, the student will take the Service-Learning option to complete their degree. Students will not be allowed to change an applied internship site (from an approved site to a new site) once the MOU has been approved and fully executed.

The student acknowledges that any changes to their program of study may impact their graduation timeline, and that completion will be based on available space in an HDFS Service-Learning courses. Overrides for course capacity will not be given due to a change from an internship to the Service-Learning option. 

Contact

Melissa Kozak

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