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2. Double check your organization's requirements

Before offering an internship to a student, please double check your organization's requirements. Make sure to communicate with the student and let them know if they are responsible for the cost and the expected timeline.

Affiliation agreements

If your organization requires an , you collaborate with the  on campus. Please let the student know as soon as possible if an affiliation agreement is required, and indicate this in the student approval process via Handshake.

Due to the volume of affiliation agreements that this office is responsible for, please allow several weeks to a month, depending on complexity. Affiliation agreements last for 3 years.

Background checks

It is not ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ policy to perform background checks or hold medical records for vaccines for ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ students. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ does not certify or vouch for the background of the students who participate in this experiential learning.

Organizations must conduct their own background checks and obtain information from the student if it is a requirement. 

Final Approval Step for Internship Hosts

Once your organization has completed the initial setup, the final step is to approve the student’s internship request in Handshake. This includes reviewing the student’s proposed hours, learning goals, and expected tasks. Your approval confirms the internship and allows the student to proceed with registration.

Learning Agreements

Completed before the internship, in the student approval process via Handshake. 

3. Identify an internship site supervisor

The internship site must designate at least one supervisor for the student who will work with them during the entire internship experience and is available to sign paperwork, provide adequate training and support during the onboarding process, and meet with the student regularly to provide mentorship and feedback.

4. Provide workspace and clarify expectations

It is the responsibility of the internship site to provide the student with a workspace, in addition to outlining expectations regarding work schedule and responsibilities as well as the policies of the site.

It is important that the student has appropriate supervision, and is not left alone without someone available to answer questions.

5. Provide adequate fieldwork hours within a ten week academic term

The site supervisor is responsible for making sure the internship student is given adequate opportunities to complete the required field work.

A wide variety of activities can be counted toward fieldwork hours. These hours can include the student attending staff meetings, engaging in professional development opportunities, attending any training (whether on site or remote/online), relevant committee meetings, conferences, workshops, etc.

• HDFS 310 students must complete 9 hours per week (90 hours total are required).
• HDFS 469 students need to do 30 hours per week (300 hours required) or 15 hours per week across 2 terms if they are doing the split option.

6. Meet regularly with the student

The site supervisor is expected to meet regularly with the student through phone, video chat, or in person. Most students strongly prefer in person meetings, and these should occur at least a few times throughout the term.

The site supervisor and student should set up regular meeting times to discuss activities, answer questions, debrief challenging experiences, and provide feedback.

7. Provide feedback to the student

Most students will be seeking employment after their internship, and it is vital that they receive ongoing constructive feedback regarding their performance and skills.

It is the expectation that internships students come ready to learn, be flexible, and demonstrate compassion for clients.

Feedback should highlight what the student is doing well, in addition to any areas for improvement. It is best if the person providing the feedback actively supervises the student and has an opportunity to observe their work first-hand.

8. Documentation for the student

Students are enrolled in an internship course and must complete assignments, reflections, and a final project that connect their experience to academic goals. These components are required to pass the course and are completed alongside their on-site responsibilities. Supervisors are not responsible for grading but may support the student’s learning by providing context and feedback.

• Review Student Goals
  Please take time to review the student’s internship learning goals and career aspirations. This helps ensure the experience is aligned with their academic and professional development.

• Midterm Evaluation
  Complete a brief evaluation midway through the internship to assess the student’s progress, engagement, and areas for growth. This feedback is essential for helping students stay on track and make adjustments if needed.

• Final Evaluation
  Provide a comprehensive evaluation at the end of the internship that reflects the student’s overall performance, contributions, and professionalism. This final assessment is a key component of the student’s course grade.

• Approve Student Hours Log
  Please review and verify the student’s internship hours by signing off on their log regularly. This confirmation ensures accurate tracking of time and is required for the student to receive credit for their internship experience.

9. Contact us

Contact the Early Childhood Internship Faculty Advisor, Kendra Coates, during the internship. And the Human Services Internship Faculty Advisor, Dennis Lynn, during the internship.

Contact the Cascades Career Development Center, for support in posting a job position or more information about hosting a student intern.