EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM DETAILS

Since its inception in 1985, the Center for Experiential Learning has supervised professional-level, on-the-job learning opportunities for more than 2300 King’s College junior, senior, and graduate-level students.  These internships have occurred at sites representing all sectors of the economy on the local, national, and international levels, and have involved students representing more than 30 different academic disciplines.

As the competition for entry-level career positions continues, so does the significance placed on a college student’s acquisition of professional-level, career-related experience while still in college.  This trend is clearly demonstrated as student and employer participation in the internship program continues to grow.  Each year approximately 160 students participate in the Experiential Learning Program, a figure that has increased by 40% since the program was initiated.

Through involvement in an internship, all parties involved—the student, sponsoring organization, and educational institution—gain valuable benefits unique to the experiential learning process.  As a result, experiential learning creates a most advantageous situation…everyone is a winner!

• Eligibility and Program Participants
• Academic Credits and Schedule
• Application Process
• Costs
• Contacts

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

The success of the internship process relies heavily on the participation and expertise of all involved parties …the student intern, the site supervisor, and the faculty coordinator.  A three-way partnership develops with the Center for Experiential Learning providing supervision and acting as facilitator and advocate throughout the process.

Intern – An eligible participant is a student who has completed 60 college credits, maintained a GPA required by the Center for Experiential Learning and major department, completed departmental prerequisites, and incurred no serious student conduct violations.

Site supervisor – A professional in the work world who possesses the required education, training, and desire to provide a student intern with a meaningful, college-level, work experience.  The site supervisor acts as a mentor and guide to the intern and provides feedback on the intern’s progress to both the intern and the college.

Faculty coordinator – A faculty member from the intern’s major department who academically guides the student through the internship.  It is the faculty coordinator who verifies the academic validity of the experience, and assists the intern in establishing meaningful learning objectives and recognizing the learning which has occurred.  It is the faculty coordinator who determines the final grade for the internship.

ACADEMIC CREDITS AND INTERNSHIP SCHEDULE

Internships are available during the three main college sessions, fall, spring, and summer.  Each placement lasts 12 to 15 weeks, and may occur on a part-time or full-time basis depending upon the needs of the intern and the sponsoring organization.  All internships receive a minimum of three credits.  There are no non-credit internships.  Unless special permission is granted, six credits is the maximum number allowed for a single internship.  Exceptions to this rule include special internship programs such as the Harrisburg Capital Semester, the Washington Center, the U.S. Department of State, the FBI Honors Program, and others in which 9-15 credits are possible.  Students may complete more than one internship, and credits may be applied to the major, minor, or elective program as determined by each major department.  Credit is awarded through the Center for Experiential Learning using the following guidelines:

As a general rule, credits are awarded in the following manner:

APPLICATION PROCESS

For students, the process begins by attending an internship information session and then meeting with the Experiential Learning director or advisor to discuss career interests, qualifications, eligibility requirements, and possible opportunities. The student is counseled in the job search process and assisted with resume development and interview skills preparation. Resumes and applications are forwarded by the Center to prospective sites, interviews are conducted, and offers are extended.  Once an internship is accepted, the Center for Experiential Learning formally registers the student for internship credits and identifies a faculty coordinator.  Attendance at an orientation and training session is required prior to beginning the internship.  At this session the student obtains the guidance, tips, and instructions needed to successfully complete the internship. For employers, the process begins by contacting the Experiential Learning director to discuss the potential internship position description, qualifications desired, hourly needs, and compensation, if applicable.

COSTS
No special fees are required of employers or students for participation in the Experiential Learning Program.

Contacts:
The Center for Experiential Learning is the centralized office responsible for the coordination and supervision of experiential learning opportunities for King’s College students. 

King's College
Chris W. Bedwick, Director
Phone: (570)208-5913
Fax: (570)208-6011
email: cwbedwic@kings.edu