KINES 495B is a six-credit required course for students in the Movement Science and Applied Exercise Health (AEH) Options within the Kinesiology curriculum.
KINES 495B requires students to complete gainful leadership and experiential learning in workplaces or research settings with the expectation that these experiences will allow them the opportunity to apply and integrate content from all their courses with success and insight. Therefore, the internship experience should be structured to be as realistic as possible and include as many hands-on experiences as is practical based on the internship site supervisor’s discretion. Ideally, students should follow the same work schedule as their on-site supervisor.
The Movement Science practicum occurs in a variety of settings, including but not limited to research laboratories, professional fitness centers, rehabilitation facilities, senior centers, community health and wellness programs, hospitals, and collegiate and professional sports venues. They learn the day-to-day requirements of being "on the job" or "in the lab," including professional management practices and ethical considerations.
Practicums are evaluated on an ongoing basis with the student intern, on-site internship supervisor, and/or faculty member involved in the process. Internships can be completed either on- or off-campus.
Students must complete 270 hours of hands-on experience in that field.
Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: KINES 295B, KINES 395B, seventh-semester standing and 2.00 cumulative GPA or greater cumulative GPA and nine credits of 400-level KINES courses.
Enrollment for this course is with permission only. To enroll for this course at Penn State Altoona, you must contact Tracey Elkin at [email protected].
Practicum Placement
Pre-Practicum Procedures: All arrangements must be completed prior to the start of the internship. It is the responsibility of the student to make initial contact with the agency or organization to inquire about the possibility of being accepted as an intern. If the organization is willing to accept the student, the campus faculty coordinator will then finalize the arrangements. Correspondence will include the following:
- General information about the practicum,
- The practicum placement contract is to be signed by the organization’s on-site supervisor, and
- An evaluation form is to be completed by the supervisor at the completion of the practicum.
The student is responsible for arranging an interview if distance permits. If this is not possible, the student must contact the organization via phone to discuss with the on-site supervisor the expectation of the organization and the conditions of the internship. During the site interview, the student is required to review the practicum contract with the agency supervisor, discuss completing the required hours of observation (six credits = 270 hours), and address any immunizations/tests needed to comply with agency policies, and/or CPR/First Aid certification.
All students are required to obtain Professional Liability insurance.
Students are not permitted to select various sites/change sites within a given term.
