The basics

An internship is required for both the B.S. and B.A. in Psychology and the B.S. and B.A. in Sociology. You will enroll in internship just as you would any other class. The course designation is PSY 4050 or SOC 4050; each is a 3 credit hour course. You may choose to participate in a second 3-credit-hour internship (this is not required) which is designated as PSY 4060 or SOC 4060.

What are the requirements for an internship?

Internships in this department consist of 110 hours of supervised on-site work at an approved agency, two evaluations of your work by your site supervisor, the submission of time sheets, and one academic paper assignment.

Who should I contact at Shorter to talk about internships?

Your faculty advisor will be your departmental supervisor for your internship. Your advisor can supply you with the syllabus and other paperwork required by the department.

When do I do my internship?

Most students do their internships in either the fall or spring of their senior year. Check with your faculty advisor about doing internship hours over the summer.

Where can I do my internship?

You may work in any type of organization or agency in the community as long as there is a qualified professional on staff who agrees to serve as your site supervisor. This job will entail observing, monitoring, and evaluating your work over the course of the required hours. A site supervisor must possess either a graduate degree (doctoral or masters level) or sufficient on-the-job experience to qualify as an expert in the field.

Who is responsible for finding me an internship?

It is your responsibility to do the research and investigate possible sites where you might want to intern. Think about the type of work you might want as a career and the population with which you might eventually want to work. Look through the phone book for agencies; talk with other students who have done their internships; visit agency web sites .

The department has an Internship Notebook with a list of possible sites in the Rome/Floyd County area. Your faculty advisor may also have some ideas.

What do I do once I think I have an idea for a possible internship site?

Consult with your faculty advisor and see if any Shorter students have interned at that site in the past. If we have a relationship with the site, it will make your next task easier, but don’t give up if this is a new site.

You should then contact the agency or organization and enquire about the availability of internship positions. Make sure there is someone qualified and willing to act as your site supervisor. If no one from Shorter has interned there before, explain what is involved in being a site supervisor so the person is aware of the time and energy commitment they are being asked to make to when they undertake:

• Arranging appropriate intern training for you.
• Assigning and monitoring your internship activities or duties.
• Providing mentoring for you to help you learn the field.
• Filling out two evaluations of your work over the course of your 110 hours.
• Signing off on your time sheets.

Once you are an intern

As you work out in the community and interact with the clients and staff members of your on-site agency, please remember that you are representing the Psychology & Sociology Department and Shorter University. Practice professionalism at all levels, including dress, language, and general comportment. Follow the ethical guidelines of our disciplines and observe the norms as well as the written rules of the agency, particularly as regards confidentiality of client statements or materials.