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Practicum provides students with a supervised professional experience that incorporates academic knowledge and real-life experience in a classroom setting. The course has been designed to give students the opportunity to work in a preschool classroom with children and families. Through the successful completion of practicum hours, students will gain insight into different classroom settings, positive interactions with children, as well as developmentally appropriate practice and collaboration.

Enrolling in HDFS 231

Permission is not needed for this course if enrollment occurs at least one week prior to the start of the semester. Students will work with their advisor to determine the appropriate semester for enrollment. Late enrollment requests should be emailed to Jenna Dewar (for in-person offerings) or Shanti Johnson (for online offerings).

Practicum Sites

The HDFS Program has partnered with the Child and Family Research Center for this course. 

Hours Requirement

Starting the second week of class, students spend 6 hours per week for a total of 78 over the course of the semester.  This is in addition to class meetings and course assignments.

Course requirements

Students who enroll in this course will be required to complete a tuberculosis skin-test (negative result required) as well as a fingerprint-based background check through the University Police Services.

Independent Study experiences are designed with the student in mind - the options are nearly limitless if a pedagogical connection to a student's learning and professional outcomes can be found. 

Enrolling in HDFS 401

Permission for this course can be requested by contacting Jenna Dewar or Shanti Johnson. All University students are allowed to enroll in this course (HDFS majors, or other eligible HDFS faculty members may be eligible for a substitution for a required major or minor elective).

Independent Study Options

Students who complete an independent study most often are in one of the following three roles:

• Undergraduate Research Assistant
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (note - students interested in this option, should be able to show academic success indicated by high GPA, strong individual course grades, and an overall understanding of the content)
• Community-Based Applied Experience (similar to an internship)

Hours Requirement

HDFS 401 does not have class meetings, but there are a small number of assignments.  In most experiences (flexibility exists in the research and teaching assistant roles), for each credit hour of HDFS 401 enrollment, 45 field hours are required. For example:

• 3 credits of HDFS 401 = 135 total required field hours (averaging 9 hours per week)

An internship is an educational experience, somewhat like a practicum, only with an advanced set of expectations. The internship is a self-motivated learning experience for graduating seniors in which a student has the opportunity to learn how the site operates, and in turn gains valuable experience that can be included on their resume when searching for a permanent position.

Enrolling in HDFS 470

Permission will be given for this course during internship preparation appointments with Jenna Dewar (for in-person offerings) or Shanti Johnson (for online offerings).

Prerequisites for Enrollment/Site Placement

1. Except in unique circumstances, you should be in the LAST semester of your senior year
2. You must have completed HDFS 231 with a grade of C- or higher
3. Each site has a variety of requirements that may include: GPA, fingerprinting, background checks, interviews, and/or volunteer orientations

Internship Sites

Though it is preferred that you intern with one of our current placement sites, your internship can be completed with nearly any organization you wish to work with, as long as it relates to one or more of the family life education content areas:

1. Families and Individuals in Societal Contexts
2. Internal Dynamics of Families
3. Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan
4. Human Sexuality
5. Interpersonal Relationships
6. Family Resource Management
7. Parent Education and Guidance
8. Family Law and Public Policy
9. Professional Ethics and Practice
10. Family Life Education Methodology

Hours Requirement

In addition to reduced class meetings and course assignments, for each credit hour of HDFS 470 enrollment, 45 field hours are required. For example:

• 3 credits of HDFS 470 = 135 total required field hours (averaging 9 hours per week)
• 4 credits of HDFS 470 = 180 total required field hours (averaging 12 hours per week)