PRACTICUMS (INTERNSHIPS)
ratified: Academic Council, Feb. 28, 1992, Academic Dean, April 22, 1992
last update: 11/99
archived versions:
PURPOSE:
To allow QVCC students in certain degree programs to earn academic credit through carefully designed experiences in a non-classroom setting. Although such experiences may be called practicums, internships, or externships, for the purpose of this policy the term practicum will be all inclusive.
POLICY:
1. A practicum is an academic work experience sponsored by the college, and jointly supervised by an employer or other agency and a member of the QVCC faculty.
2. The purpose of a practicum is to offer students in a given degree program an opportunity to enhance their performance, apply their learning, and/or integrate theory and practice in a job situation.
3. In order to participate in a practicum, students must be in good academic standing, and must have previously taken courses which have prepared them for such an experience.
4. Each academic program or discipline area will determine the specific requirements for a practicum in its area, subject to the provisions of this policy and to the approval of the Division Council and the Academic Dean.
5. Work experience in a practicum course must be accompanied by seminar sessions or meetings with an instructor, formal reading, and/or writing assignments where appropriate, and evaluation of academic as well as work performance.
6. All practicums will require on-site supervision and a written evaluation of the student's performance on the job. Faculty / field supervisor conferences are also mandatory.
7. A course content proposal for a practicum will include learning goals, prerequisites, and a timetable for faculty/student contacts.
8. Specific goals and expectations for a student starting a practicum must be spelled out in writing. In some cases, a formal, written agreement will be negotiated and signed by the student and the on-site supervisor. A copy of the goals statement (or written agreement) and the final evaluation by the on-site supervisor will become part of a student's permanent file.
9. The number of credit hours assigned to a practicum must reflect a relationship to academic intensity. The greater the academic content and/or the complexity of skills or knowledge to be acquired, the more credits a practicum will offer, regardless of the total hours of on-site work involved. Those that require the application of a larger number of skills may require a greater number of on-site hours, but also fewer faculty/student contacts and reading assignments.
10. A minimum of 30 supervised, on-site hours of work experience is required for each credit awarded.
A few definitions:
Practicum -- a) a course or group session emphasizing the practical application of theory, esp. one in which a student gains practical experience in a field of study; b) in a college or university, the part of a course consisting of practical work in a particular field; c) a unit of work done by an advanced university student that involves a practical application of previously studied theory and the collection of data for future theoretical interpretation (as in practice teaching).
Internship -- any official or formal program to provide practical experience for beginners in an occupation or profession.
Externship -- a required period of supervised practice done off campus or away from one's affiliated institution.
Fieldwork -- a) the work of collecting scientific data in the field, as by a geologist, botanist, etc.; b) work done in the field, as by research, exploration, surveying or interviewing.