The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Educational Administration

| Sample Internship Contract |

The internship (EDA 397P) in the Higher Education Program is intended to augment and enhance one's preparation through formal studies, to provide opportunities to observe and experience first hand some of the learnings acquired through theoretical study.

The nature of the internship experience will vary for students in higher education in accordance with their own background of experience, career plans, professional objectives and other considerations. It should involve work under a professional administrator who is in a position to provide or arrange learning experiences desired and who is sympathetic to and supportive of the objectives of the internship. The internship should provide a variety of learning experiences; it may include a project, but should also include opportunity to gain first hand experience and knowledge of the role of the administrator with whom the intern is working and the office or component of the organization where located. Ideally, the intern would have experiences or the opportunity to observe the work of offices other than the one with which s/he is associated.

The student whose background of experience in higher education is lacking will often undertake an internship involving the specialization s/he expects to pursue as a professional practitioner. Students who have had experience in higher education may follow the same course but often will undertake an internship in another aspect of higher education unrelated to his/her prior experience but which will enhance one's preparation for a leadership role in higher education. For example: a person experienced in student affairs might find it profitable to engage in an internship in the business affairs area of a university, which would provide insight into university operations not previously encountered and which would enhance one's preparation for leadership in a student affairs role.

The student will discuss his/her ideas for an internship with his/her academic advisor who may supervise it or the two may jointly decide that another faculty member or appropriate individual should supervise it. In some cases, the supervising faculty member will make arrangements with the professional administrator with whom the student will serve as intern; in others, the student will, after conferring with the supervising faculty member, visit with the administrator and discuss the internship, including role(s) to serve, functions in which to become involved, experiences to be gained, special project if any, schedule, office assignment, and stipend, if any. Some offices provide a small stipend but the typical internship in higher education is for academic credit.

The internship for masters and Ed.D. students typically consists of one-quarter time for one semester (120 contact hours) or a full summer session, enrolled for three credits. An Ed.D. student with extensive practical experience in higher education may substitute the research apprenticeship for the internship, subject to the advisor's approval. A Ph.D. student with minimum practical experience may also be encouraged to consider an internship as an elective specialization credit course in addition to fulfilling the research apprenticeship requirement for a Ph.D. All students must complete and have approved by their faculty supervisor an "Internship Contract" before proceeding. (See enclosed)

In some cases, the supervising faculty member will visit with the intern and on-site professional administrator in the internship situation to discuss progress. In all cases, the intern will be expected to fulfill the requirements of the Internship Contract, including the submission of a weekly log of activities, and submit the final project report, where required, at the end of the term to the faculty supervisor. The faculty supervisor will verify with the on-site supervisor (by phone or letter) completion of the internship and satisfactory performance. Registration for internship is on a Credit/No Credit basis only. The internship usually occurs after the Higher Education specialization coursework has been completed.

Students typically do not register for internship that involves his/her employment or other activity in which the focus is primarily on productive work rather than learning. Exceptions may be made for persons serving as graduate assistants at the University of Texas at Austin which involve learning experiences relevant to their academic program. The internship administrator cannot be the student's direct supervisor in the employment workplace.

Most internships will take place in colleges, universities, system offices, higher education coordinating agencies, and other agencies directly related to the administration of colleges and universities. Alternative internships, whether in other organizations or whose assignments involve alternative learning experiences, may be approved in certain circumstances. Students wishing to undertake an alternative internship should discuss it with his/her academic advisor and then submit the "Internship Contract" for approval.

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