The Health Science Department’s field experience is required of all students in Option 3 (Gerontology) and the Option 4 (Health Service Administration). It consists of two courses that must be taken simultaneously: HS166A (seminar) & HS166B (200 hours of fieldwork). Internships are not required (but may be used as an elective) for Option 1 and Option 2. Please see the greensheets from these courses for specific requirements.
Internships are a required culminating experience in many University programs. The internship is designed to provide you with experience in a health-related setting. It is not uncommon for employers to expect that you participated in an internship class during your undergraduate experience.
The internship occurs during your last semester at SJSU.
The fieldwork coordinators will help you find an internship site – they do NOT assign you to a site. During the first class session, faculty will give you a listing of health education and health administration sites. Most of the sites are in the Santa Clara County area. There are also listings for other places in the Bay Area. Several factors are taken into consideration when choosing a site including, your commute, family obligations, work obligations, and of course, your personal interests.
Yes. However, you must get approval from the field work coordinator before starting the internship.
No. The faculty is not available during the summer. In addition, there are legal reasons you are unable to do summer internships.
No. If you decide to volunteer as at a site during the summer and then continue at the same site during the fall semester while enrolled in HS 166 A&B, you cannot apply the summer hours to meet the 200-hour requirement. However, you can certainly combine your summer activities with your fall internship, which can result in a more attractive resume.
You will attend five class seminars. The seminars are designed for students to share their mutual internship experiences. During the first seminar, the faculty will work with you to find a field site. In addition, you will be given three writing assignments: 1) personal and field site goals and objectives, 2) a description of the agency in which you are working, and 3) a final report that evaluates your field experience. Each student will make an oral presentation of their papers during the seminars.
Many students who participate in HS 166 A&B have reported they had a rewarding experience. Although the actual tasks and experiences for each student differ, they are all challenged by their tasks and rewarded for their accomplishments. You will be expected to both dress and behave appropriately – for many students the internship is their first real professional work experience. In addition, you should expect to be treated in a professional manner by those in the field.
This is difficult to answer, since neither the Department nor the University follows students after graduation. The university and sponsoring agency does not guarantee employment as the result of an internship. However, in the long run, the internship experience will help in your job search.
Both HS 166A and HS 166B are Credit/No Credit courses. All assignments must be turned-in to receive course credit. See the greensheets from these courses for specific requirements.