Form and checklist
Academic Internship Agreement (DOC)Metro State students whose internship credit is processed through the Institute for Community Engagement and Scholarship must submit the Academic Internship Agreement (AIA) form.
Students can work with the on-site internship supervisor to complete the AIA form, and at minimum will need to have the site supervisor review and sign the AIA.
Metro students can also work with the Learning Evaluator (Metro State faculty member) to develop the competence statement, learning strategies, and evaluation strategies. As a baseline, students will need to have the Learning Evaluator review and sign the AIA form.
The AIA form should be submitted at least one month prior to the start date at the internship site and before course registration deadlines. Sometimes this is not possible, and exceptions can be made for late AIA submissions.
It is the responsibility of the Metro State student to complete the AIA form and submit it to the Internship Coordinator. Once submitted, the internship coordinator will review, obtain department approval, and register the corresponding course for your program (most often 350I for undergrad students and 360I for graduate students).
Once the course has been registered, the Internship Coordinator will send a confirmation email to the student, site supervisor, learning evaluator, and faculty liaison.
All deliverables and course requirements (final paper, journals, copies of work products, seminars, group meetings, etc.) must be submitted to the Learning Evaluator the before the end of the semester. The internship grade will not be processed until these requirements are fulfilled.
Tips for completing the Academic Internship Agreement form
Choosing a title for the internship
- If this were a classroom course, what would you name it? Examples may include: Applications of Historical Research Internship, Resource and Curriculum Development Internship, Public Relations Planning Internship, Information Security Internship, or Business Management Internship.
- The title for the internship will appear on the student’s transcript.
- Do not use a course title that already exists in Metro State’s class catalog. This is important and helps avoid confusion and issues with graduation planning.
Writing the competence statement
- This is the learning goal, or ultimate outcome, you will accomplish. Be able to answer the question: What will I know once I complete the internship?
- Start with a basic structure, such as:
"Knows (theoretical) and (practical) of (subject area) at a (level/description) well enough to (application: write a brief description of the knowledge/skills to be gained)." - Fill in the parentheses above with words and phrases such as:
- (theoretical) and (practical): history, theory, concepts, principles, ideology, beliefs, laws, relationships, vocabulary, generalization, systems, roles, patterns
- (subject area): write the subject area/academic focus of the internship
- (level/description): at a level equivalent to/appropriate for, at a beginning, introductory, intermediate, advanced, specifically, including, apply, use, interpret, translate, evaluate, analyze, relate, plan, compare, function, write
- (application): methodology, techniques, methods, skills, processes, determine, procedures, treatments, research-techniques, functions
Examples of competence statements
“Knows basic concepts and procedures of arts administration and can apply this knowledge in planning and coordinating performing arts programs.”
“Knows and can apply the principles and techniques of individual and group counseling within a chemical dependency treatment program at the level of a beginning professional counselor.”
“Knows and can apply federal laws/regulations and sponsor’s reporting requirements well enough to appropriately monitor and facilitate compliance in administration of research grants and contracts.”
Developing Learning Strategies
- Most internships have 3-4 learning strategies. These are the activities and work that help achieve the learning goal stated in the competence statement.
- Learning strategies can include work activities/projects during internship, readings (include titles and authors), and/or interviews.
- Learning strategies must include deliverables required by college/department guidelines.
Examples of learning strategies
“Monitor fiscal and programmatic aspects monthly, prepare records for audit, and communicate with the appropriate departments.”
“Create and submit a critical analysis journal noting activities, observations, reflections, and analyses that have made a significant impact on internship experience.”
“Actively participate in and understand the full cycle of a marketing plan.”
“Read Jeff Pope’s book Practical Marketing Research and write a three-page paper integrating his book with field work.”
“Conduct market research to assist in defining product strategies.”
Developing an Evaluation
- Describe how the Learning Evaluator will evaluate learning.
- Evaluation can take many forms, including: oral interview, written test, performance test, situational observation, product evaluation, reflective paper/essay, or journaling.
- The evaluation must include requirements specific to college/department guidelines, such as group meetings/seminars, bibliography, log of readings, summary paper or post-test.
Examples of evaluations
“Bi-weekly meetings to discuss internship experience and discuss of readings.”
“Situational observation in group meetings and one-to-one work with investigators and other personnel.”
“Submit written log with reflections on experiences.”
“Assess completion letter from internship site supervisor.”
“Attendance at the Internship Group Meetings and successful completion of all assignments.”