Student interns can assist agencies in a variety of ways with day-to-day operations as well as program management, development and planning. Internship experiences are flexible so can be customized to meet individual agency and student objectives.

Typically students begin their human services leadership (HSL) coursework as a junior. A total of 56 college credits (along with other criteria) are required for admission to the HSL program.

Internship

• Internship students have been accepted into the Human Service Leadership program and will have completed at least 9 credits of human services courses.  Their skill level will be more advanced than the 30-hour student but they will still need support in developing professional competencies.  They should be able to interact effectively with clients and staff, plan short programs, engage in administrative tasks and do special projects.

Advanced Internship

• Advanced Internship students have completed all coursework and should be ready, with supervision, to function much as an entry-level worker.

The major provides 3 different field experiences during a student’s course of study.Introductory field experience

• The introductory experience is a 30-hour placement which is part of the student’s Human Services Leadership survey course (fall or spring semester). This experience is designed to increase awareness of the field and acquaint students with agencies that provide relative services. The course instructor arranges this placement utilizing a small number of agencies in which to place various students. Direct supervision is provided by agency staff and, overall, by the university course instructor.

Internship

• The internship course is required as part of the major (fall, spring or summer semester). The student completes 120 hours of supervised experience within an agency. In this integrated learning experience, the student will develop human relation skills through observation and participation in agency activities. Students are placed by the Human Services Leadership Field Placement Office. Direct supervision is provided by the agency staff and, overall, by the university course instructor.

Advanced Internship

• The advanced internship fulfills courses required of the major (fall, spring or summer semester). The student completes 280 hours of supervised experience within an agency. In this culminating experience, the student will refine his/her leadership skills as a Human Services professional through more advanced work within an agency. Students are placed by the Human Services Leadership field office. Direct supervision is provided by agency staff and, overall, by the university course instructor.

Our service area includes Calumet, Outagamie, Winnebago, Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties. Campus-based students may utilize the field placement directory to search for a site. Any site selected beyond a 60-mile distance from the home campus requires an out-of-area request.

Students complete placement preferences listing their top three site choices (from the agency information we have on file). Every effort is made to pursue the student’s first or second choice. The field placement office mails a request letter to the site. Sites may either accept, decline or accept pending interview the placement. Students receive an email informing them of the placement request.

When placement cannot be arranged at any of the student’s choices or none of the preferred sites are available, the student will receive an email advising them of the need to re-pick their site preferences. Students may consult with the field placement about potential options at this point or at any time during the process. The field office will assist the student with potential options.

After placement confirmation, both the student and agency receive a confirmation email. Included with the student’s confirmation email will be a program memorandum – student acknowledgment which must be completed within the first few days of the start of the placement. It is the student’s responsibility to have this form completed and returned as directed to avoid interruption of their placement.

The currently approved placement sites are listed in the Field Placement Directory.

Because our process (above) is to place students based on their preferences, we are unable to accommodate requests for interns from our agencies. When we are aware that an agency is seeking interns and simultaneously aware of a student who is seeking a similar placement, we will advise the student accordingly.

If you are a new agency who would like to be considered as one of our placement options, please complete and submit the agency information form found on this site for consideration. For assistance or questions, please call the HSL Field Placement office.

You are not obligated to accept any placement. Whenever a student requests your site, you will be sent a request for placement letter and will have the option to either accept, decline or accept pending interview. Regardless of your response during any given semester, you will remain on our list of potential sites unless you request to be removed.

We highly recommend that you meet with the student for an interview to determine if it will be a “proper fit”. Many times more than one student will request one particular placement site. If the placement site is only able to accept a limited number of interns, it is best to interview the students to determine which student(s) will meet their needs for that semester.

Internship HS 325 (120 hours)

• Supervision is provided by faculty members and agency staff. One meeting within the first three weeks of the semester is required with the student, agency supervisor, and university supervisor. Additional supervisory contact, as necessary, may be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Students are required to prepare a learning agreement outlining their placement plan. This learning agreement, reviewed during the site visit, includes the student’s goals and objectives and will direct their activities. Students will be evaluated by their agency supervisor at the mid and end points of the placement. The course component of the internship requires bi-weekly seminar attendance and written coursework.

Advanced Internship HS 420, 421, 422 (280 hours)

• Supervision is provided by faculty members and agency staff. Three supervisory contacts are required with the student, the agency supervisor and the university supervisor including an introductory visit and a mid-term evaluation. Additional supervisory contact, as necessary, may be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Students are required to prepare a learning agreement outlining their placement plan. This learning agreement reviewed during the first site visit includes the student’s goals and objectives and will direct their activities. Students will be evaluated by their agency supervisor at the mid and end points of the placement. The course component of the internship requires bi-weekly seminar attendance and written coursework.