Introduction to Internship Manual
The Educational Leadership Department faculty at Eastern Michigan University advocate the "tri-dimensional model" of leadership development articulated by John Daresh in 1988. The three dimensions included are academic preparation, field-based learning/internship and the professional formation. Daresh (1988) states:
As students approach the final stage of their academic preparation, attention is placed on their field-based learning/internship experience. The internship experience provides an opportunity to synthesize and apply acquired knowledge in the workplace, and to develop and refine skills included in the program’s standards-based curriculum of the program.
Interns are placed with cooperating school systems, other educational institutions, or related agencies, under the direct supervision of an educational leader. Ideally the internship experience would require the intern to leave their full-time job and immerse themselves in the internship role for one year. Because this option is not available for everyone the student is asked to dedicate a minimun of 9-10 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks for the 2 graduate credit hour experience. This time commitment is equivalent to full time graduate student status (9 credit hours x 12.5 contact hours). The number of credit hours required for the internship will be determined by your academic advisor and recorded on the student’s program of study. Each credit hour requires 60 hours of immersion in the internship experiences. (1 credit = 60 hours, 2 credits = 120 hours, 3 credits = 180 hours, and 4 credits = 240 hours).
Internship experiences will vary in degree of responsibility, focus on a variety of leadership styles and allow the intern to explore different levels of administration in a myriad of diverse settings. At least one of these experiences must be with a social services, private and/or community organization.The intern must also complete various reflective activities throughout the semester and submit an internship notebook at the culmination of the experience. Two - four semester hours of credit may be earned for the internship experience. (One hour options are available to augment the 2-4 hour requirement if needed).
Administrative internships are available in a variety of settings, including K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, community education agencies, and other institutions offering educational programs. Selection and placement for the internship is determined by the intern and the university internship program director will focus on the intern’s career goals.
This packet of materials has been prepared to guide the prospective intern in planning and completing the internship experience. It is imperative that these materials be reviewed at the beginning of the internship experience. Each stage is carefully explained and all interns are expected to follow the identified steps.