Guidelines for Establishing an Internship Site

Students who are Exercise Science Majors may enroll in “Internship in Exercise Science” (EXSC 49003) as part of their degree requirements. Students must be enrolled in EXSC 49003 during the semester in which the internship is completed.

Students will complete all 112.5 hours of field experience at one internship site.

There are over 40 different internship sites in which students can be placed. Surveys filled out by the students will help match them to the most suitable internship site possible. However, we cannot guarantee that students will be placed in a particular site.

If students wish to complete their internship at a site that is not pre-approved, they must abide by the following guidelines:

  • The internship site must fulfill a unique niche that is not already provided by other available internship sites. Please visit our list of current internship sites.
  • The cooperating agency must read and agree to the guidelines below in Appendix A.
  • The internship site must be a reasonable distance from the University of Arkansas such that supervision can occur, that is, in the Northwest Arkansas region. During the summer, sites outside of Northwest Arkansas may be approved.
  • Re-approval of an internship site may occur if
    1. Guidelines for the internship class change
    2. Major changes in leadership at the internship site, and/or
    3. Responsibilities of the interns change
  • Any current or prior relationship/collaboration between the internship site or its personnel and the student must be fully disclosed prior to approval — e.g., "I had physical therapy at this site." If there is a conflict of interest, the site may not be approved for internship academic credit.
  • The internship site request form (Word doc) must be returned at least 4 weeks prior to the proposed starting semester to alsulliv@uark.edu. Students should not sign up for internships prior to getting approval for the site — unless they are prepared to be assigned to an existing site.
  • Final approval is provided by the internship coordinator.

Note: The internship coordinator reserves the right to require re-approval of any site.

Appendix A

I. General Purpose of Field Experience

The general purpose of the field experience is to provide the student with the opportunity to continue the process of personal and professional growth that has been a part of his/her total educational experience. As stated in the Catalog of Studies, EXSC 49003 Internship in Exercise Science "[p]rovides opportunities for students in Exercise Science to gain experience in clinics, hospitals, fitness centers, athletic training facilities or related settings." This is not a shadowing experience. Opportunities for this growth will be demonstrated through practical experience in a supervised structured environment of a professional organization, agency or school setting.

II. Responsibilities of the University Experience Instructor

  1. Represent the U of A in all arrangements with cooperating agencies in the conduct of field experiences.
  2. Make arrangements for and give final approval for all field experiences.
  3. Help students prepare for their field experience.
  4. Maintain contact with the cooperating agency concerning the progress of the student.
  5. Evaluate the student in cooperation with the agency supervisor.
  6. Assign a final grade to the student for the field experience.

III. Responsibilities of the Cooperating Agency

  1. Provide the opportunity for the student to function within the agency as a staff member assuming a professional role for the full 112.5 hours the students are assigned to the internship site.
  2. Plan, conduct and evaluate activities consistent with the agency’s goals and objectives under the guidance of the organizational supervisor.
  3. Provide the opportunity for the student to develop an understanding of the administrative structure of the agency.
  4. Establish a system for guidance and evaluation of the student on the job including regularly scheduled meetings to assess student progress and to complete a final evaluation form provided by the University.
  5. In compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s criteria for distinguishing paid and unpaid internships, students participating in academic internships through this program are not eligible to receive direct compensation. Exceptions may be considered for formal, externally sponsored internship programs — such as those offered by Apple, Nike or the Mayo Clinic — that require compensation as a condition of participation. In such cases, students must obtain prior approval to receive stipends, housing allowances, travel reimbursements or other forms of payment.
  6. Students are not permitted to use their current place of employment to fulfill internship requirements. Internship placements must offer new learning opportunities that are distinct from the student’s existing job duties and responsibilities.

IV. Responsibilities of the Student

  1. Will serve as a staff member of the agency under supervision and will be expected to observe all the rules of professional employee conduct established by the agency. This includes rules and regulations as regards hours of work, agency procedures, dress, channels of communication, verbal and written reports, protocol governing relationships with other agencies and the community, and all other responsibilities ordinarily associated with a staff member.
  2. As a part of the planning process, the student should take all steps necessary to gain a clear definition of the duties and responsibilities while on the assignment, to know the appropriate procedures in carrying out assigned task(s), to confer with the supervisor when required, when the need for further clarification or redefinition of the student’s role, or when problems arise that demand immediate resolution. Don’t save up problems for the regularly scheduled meeting with the supervisor if such action would cause postponement or delay in working on the assignment. On the other hand, the student should be able to differentiate between problems that required discussion with the supervisor and those that are routine or of minimal importance and would unnecessarily occupy the supervisor’s time.
  3. It is particularly important that the student be helped to understand the educational tasks to be performed and the relationship to the overall plan of operations. Each student will be responsible for developing with the supervisor a work program for the term. This should be developed during the first week of the term. The field experience agreement form should be turned in to the U of A field experience instructor by the end of the first week of the term.
  4. All students are required to attend (remotely) the orientation session on the first Tuesday of the semester, as well as the wrap-up session on the last Thursday of the semester.
  5. All paperwork and hours need to be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the assigned due dates.
  6. Multiple assignments will be given out each semester; however, if you are assigned to the Fitness for Fun program you will need to abide by the following procedures:
    • All client information is confidential. Do not share any client information with anyone (e.g. test scores, workout program, name of client, personal conversations etc.).
    • You will need to participate in client post testing (e.g. stress testing, body fat analysis, etc.).
    • If your client does not show up for your session you can count the hour towards your total of 112.5; however, if you client calls and gives you notice 24 hours then you cannot count the hour.
  7. Please be advised that some agencies perform random drug testing, as well as require other testing (ex. tuberculosis). It is the understanding of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation that all students will pass a drug test. There may be out-of-pocket expenses for the student for additional testing not covered by the site.
  8. All students understand that they are representing the U of A and the Exercise Science Program and that they will dress and act professionally regardless of the agency they are assigned.
  9. It is the responsibility of the student to periodically check in or inform the internship instructor if any problems with the agency and/or internship exist.