Human Development and Family Studies

Start early! Get involved with volunteering, job shadowing, networking, and student organizations as soon as possible. Make an appointment with a Career Coach in the SPH-B Office of Career Development and Alumni Relations to discuss your goals. Meet with your Human Development and Family Studies internship coordinator, Jennifer Engels, at least one semester in advance to review requirements, explore site options, and complete required paperwork.

Use the Internship Portal to explore past placements. You can also search for new internship sites through the IUB Handshake Portal.

As you search, consider:

• Type of population and/or content area you want to work with
• Type of setting (nonprofit, healthcare, social services, childcare, etc.)
• Work style preferences (direct service vs. behind-the-scenes)
• Location, transportation, schedule, and living costs
• Skills needed for your career or graduate school goals
• Have a resume and cover letter/email ready to send to potential sites. Use SPH-B Office of Career Development and Alumni Relations to assist with a resume review and cover letter/email.

• SPH-F497 is a required 6-credit internship course where you must complete a standard requirement of 270 total hours:
  • Fall/Spring: 9–16 weeks
  • Summer: 9–12 weeks
• You must be a junior or senior
• Complete at least 18 credits of core coursework
• Successfully complete F430 (Professional Preparation)
• Complete a relevant development course (F346, F347, or F348)
• 2.0 overall minimum GPA
• Standard requirements: 270 hours for 6 credits equivalent to 45 hours per 1 credit hour.
• It is strongly suggested that you take F497 alone or with only two additional 3-credit courses, especially during fall/spring term. Summer term should only focus upon the internship and the F497 course.

Your supervisor must:

• Have a relevant bachelor’s degree + 3 years' experience, or 8+ years of professional experience
• Be willing and able to mentor you
• Have expertise aligned with your interests

Note: Family members cannot be supervisors.

You may ask whether the internship is paid, though many sites do not have funding. SPH-B Office of Career Development and Alumni Relations Career Services can assist with the appropriate way to inquire.

Before you can register, all required paperwork must be completed and approved by your site supervisor and internship coordinator.

Steps:

1. Complete required documents in the Internship Portal ("Required Paperwork") section
2. Work with your supervisor to complete the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
3. Submit materials to your internship coordinator jengels@iu.edu for approval/review
4. Once approved, the SPH-B Records Office grants authorization for you to register
5. Register for the correct course (F497), section, and credits

You cannot count any internship hours until you are officially registered.

If your site requires a legal affiliation agreement with IU, know that this process can take 6-8 weeks or longer before your internship starts.

While at your site, you must:

• Complete responsibilities outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• Maintain professionalism in behavior and attire
• Follow all agency policies and procedures
• Attend meetings, trainings, and daily operations when possible
• Notify your supervisor and coordinator of absences immediately
• Cover your own transportation and related expenses (IU does not reimburse travel)
• Never transport clients in your personal vehicle OR the internship site’s vehicle—van/bus
• Complete required evaluations at the end of the internship
• You may be dismissed from your site for failure to follow agency policies

You must:

• Maintain communication with your supervisor and internship coordinator
• Submit weekly journals
• Complete all Canvas assignments by Wednesday of finals week
• Schedule midterm and final evaluation meetings with your site supervisor
• Submit evaluations of the supervisor, site, and coordinator