INSDSG 698: Internship
You must have completed eight (8) total courses, including 601, 602, 604, 607, 640, 642 and 684 + one (1) elective before registering for an internship
Note: Judith Erdman, Director of the Instructional Design Graduate Program, coordinates internships and develops internship opportunities for Instructional Design students. Please contact Judith for more information.
The Internship course focuses on putting theory into practice through work with an industry or educational organization. Internships are not paid positions, but may offer a nominal salary or stipend. Internships must include a learning component. Students meet regularly with a faculty advisor, complete predetermined projects and reflect upon their experience through a detailed report.
Prerequisites: INSDSG 601; 602; 604; 607; 640; 642 and 684, plus one (1) elective. Students must have successfully completed at least eight (8) Instructional Design Graduate courses in the UMass Boston program to request permission to register for the Internship in Instructional Design.
3 Lecture Hrs, 3-6 Credits
What is an Internship?
The internship is a culminating experience in which the student assumes the responsibility for an instructional design and technology project, a research project or other work assigned by the host organization or institution. The student works under the guidance and supervision of both the instructor and the field supervisor of the organization for which the project is to be completed.
Additional Note: This course is designed to give the student extensive and valuable instructional design field experience in an agency, educational institution or business setting. Interns must be available 8-10 hours per week, plus be available for regular meetings with the Internship faculty advisor.
Students must complete a minimum of 120-130 hours in their placements. The internship MUST be primarily a volunteer position. Students may not be paid for their work beyond a nominal stipend or salary. This course is open only to Instructional Design graduate students enrolled in the MEd program.
This is your opportunity to apply your learned knowledge of instructional design to your lived experience in your placement, to evaluate your career goals, and to network with people in the field for professional assistance or advancement in the field. Instructional Design students are not required to do an internship and may instead select the option of other directed study. The internship should be constructed to provide hands-on experience in a setting that is related to a student’s career or educational goals. Students should make plans for their placement well in advance of their actual internship, generally at least 1 month prior to the beginning of the semester. While the student is primarily responsible for arranging the placement, the program may have contacts that can assist in the establishment of a placement.
What are the expectations of Internships?
Internships are not meant to be course replacements. Though students can certainly study or apply concepts and technologies touched on in class, they cannot be used to replace taking a specific course.
Internships are 3-credit hour courses, which means that the amount of time spent on an internship should be the equivalent of a regular 3-credit, graduate level course. To be equivalent, it should take around 8-10 hours per week or approximately 120-130 hours for a 13-week semester (this includes three 50-minute "seat" hours plus a minimum of 2 hours of preparation for each 50-minute class). In addition to the actual work at a client site, the student must submit a detailed reflection of lessons learned from the experience.
During your Internship placement, you will be compiling an internship portfolio with the following required components:
1. A Reflective Internship Journal
2. Contact Hours Log
3. A professional plan that includes a resumé/CV and goals
4. Work materials or product(s) with narrative explanations
5. Field supervisor evaluation
What role do faculty members play in Internships?
The Instructional Design Graduate Program Director, Judith Erdman, works to develop internship opportunities. If you are interested in exploring these opportunities or if you have developed a possible internship opportunity, pleasecontact Judith.
Students interested in an internship should consult Judith as early as possible to establish the parameters of the work. Together, the student and the Director decide on readings or activities that will take place, how work will be evaluated, and the schedule of deliverables.
Internships are student-directed and faculty-guided, meaning that the student will take the main responsibility for putting the project details in place including the creation of goals/objectives for the project. The faculty member may help guide the student toward resources and practical activities, and can answer questions along the way.
The end product of an internship will be a thoughtful reflection and report on lessons learned, theoretical perspectives and activities completed.
How do I sign up for an internship?
There are several steps to arrange an internship. It is imperative that you begin the process as early as possible prior to the semester in which the internship will take place; generally at least one (1) month in advance of the beginning of the semester. We have a limited number of internship opportunities. Each organization will have its own process for determining whether you are a good fit. You must also establish a syllabus for your internship with your faculty adviser or the graduate program director. Students are advised to begin conversations to establish internships at least by the middle of the semester prior to the semester during which you expect the internship to take place.
Internship Placement Information Form: This form has information about your placement including your internship supervisor’s contact information, your contact information, your duties for the internship and your proposed volunteer schedule
Below are the steps you need to take to request an Internship opportunity:
