Sample Contracts

Internship details should be documented in an internship contract so the student understands what is expected.  Contracts should include:

• Student name and contact information
• Student responsibilities
• Internship organization and location
• Internship site supervisor name and contact information
• Internship site supervisor responsibilities
• Start and ending dates of internship
• Description of internship and summary of duties and responsibilities
• Description of knowledge, skills and competencies to be gained during the internship
• Faculty sponsor name and contact information
• Faculty sponsor responsibilities
• Student learning objectives (see below) and how the internship will support the learning objectives
• How learning will be assessed - requirements of any graded assignments including due dates.  Students should be provided with a grading rubric.  (See below).
• If the internship will be credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing
• The academic term for internship credit (fall, spring or summer), course number and if the class will be graded or P/NP
• How many credit hours will be earned and number of clock hours needed to work per credit hour
• If evaluations are required, when (Mid-term?  At the end of the experience?), and by whom (internship site supervisor, faculty supervisor, student)

Writing Student Learning Objectives  

Student Learning Objectives (SLO) should be identified and outlined on the internship contract so that all parties involved (student, faculty and internship supervisor) are clear as to the knowledge, skills and competencies that are to be achieved.  When writing a SLO, include the following:  

• Action verb  
• Behavior or subject-content reference  
• Conditions under which the action is performed  
• Degree/level of performance or achievement  

Example:  

A = Create  

B = a series of newsletters  

C = using Mailchimp  

D = that increases audience engagement as measured by open and click-thru rates.   

Assessment  

• Assessment should occur before, during and after the internship.  
• Students should be provided with a rubric that will be used to assess how student learning objectives were met.  

Examples of assessment:  

• Observation by the employer and/or learning facilitator  
• Self-assessment  
• Reflection journals  
• Final paper  
• Oral presentation – could be PPT, poster session, etc.  
• Creating a webpage/blog  
• Portfolio that includes the job description, learning objectives, employer evaluation, project documents or weblinks, final PowerPoint presentation   
• Demonstration  
• Exit interview  

Sample Grading Rubric  

Items on the rubric should include 1) how well the student articulated that the student learning objectives (SLOs) identified on the internship contract were met, and 2) evidence that the student has reflected on their experience and connected it to their coursework and future career goals.  This rubric is an example only.  Faculty sponsors should develop a grading rubric to meet their individual needs.