Internships & Senior Projects
Internships
"Practicum," (also called "internship") is an opportunity for you to experience what it will be like working in the field of your choice. The internship will provide you with experiential learning, and the chance to affirm your future career choice. Employers today are looking for college graduates with both education and experience.
Internship experiences at Mountain State University serve as a central component of our career-focused degree program. Prior to enrolling in the course, you will complete prerequisite courses specific to your degree program. Your internship will provide you with an opportunity to translate classroom theory into practice under the guidance of qualified professionals within your chosen field of study.
The student assumes a proactive role in finding and securing an internship site in an area relevant to their degree program. By completing an internship, you will begin to build your credentials, establish professional contacts and references, and increase your employment opportunities upon graduation. Internship opportunities are available at many area organizations, as well as, businesses outside of West Virginia.
Career Services does not provide placement for internships, and there are no "pre-approved" sites for School of Business or School of Arts and Sciences programs. Students are required to locate an internship position in much the same way they would go about a search for a "regular job." However, Career Services is ready and able to assist with resumes, interview skills, and even suggestions on where to start looking.
Please note that your position does not have to be part of a formal "Internship Program" to qualify. As long as the position is relevant to your major field of study and career goals, and consists of hands on experience, it may qualify. If you're not sure, please contact Career Services or the faculty mentor for your program.
All students pursuing a degree program that contains a practicum or internship course are required to follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Internship Manual. The manual explains the role of the Career Services Center, responsibilities of each person involved in the experience, paperwork required prior to registration, evaluation forms, documentation of hours, and other pertinent information.
Please note specific requirements for International Students. Students should contact the Center to initiate paperwork for the practicum experience prior to registration.
Senior Projects
Students in some Arts and Sciences programs, such as LS or Psychology, may be able to substitute a senior project in place of practicum/internship. Please contact Career Services before drawing up any paperwork.
What is the difference between Senior Project and Practicum? Practicum is an internship - students find a job in their field and gain hands-on experience while earning college credit. With a Senior Project, students instead choose a research topic within their field and present their findings to the faculty mentor. Senior Projects can take the final form of a research paper or presentation, or in some instances can result in the creation of a website, experament, or other creation. The final form depends on the subject matter, the student's skills and talens, and the approval of faculty.
Enrollment in this course requires the approval of the Faculty Mentor and Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. Students pursuing more than one concentration/degree must complete a separate senior project or practicum for each concentration/degree. Since each senior project is adapted to the individual student, this allows flexibility for students to pursue research interests in their major field of study. Some students who are Liberal Studies majors have the option to combine a practicum and senior project or to complete either.