Internship Opportunities - PhD Program
Internship Goals
The course provides students with an opportunity for a guided practical experience in conducting policy research or policy analysis in one of a variety of possible settings. The aim is to strengthen the student's knowledge and skills that have been acquired through formal instruction.
More Information:
Internship in Gerontology Course Syllabus
Internship Approach
Students may enroll for one to three credits in any term. While there is no limit to the number of semesters in which students may enroll in the course, only three internship credits may be applied to the Ph.D. degree requirements.
Internship opportunities typically last 14 weeks. The number of credits associated with a particular internship will be based upon the scope of both the work experience and the student learning plan. In individual cases, the determination of the number of credits to be awarded for a particular assistantship will be judged by the course instructor in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Internships may be either paid or unpaid.
Students will be placed in internships by matching the analytic needs of host organizations with student skills and interests. Students will be placed only in settings in which an on-site supervisor is present who is qualified to participate in the development, monitoring, and assessment of the student learning plan.
The instructor, on-site supervisor, and student will develop a work plan that will include the aim of the project proposed for the student, the methods to be employed, the effort expected, the product anticipated, and the time frame for project completion. The plan will also include the educational aims for the student, the means through which the work experience is expected to lead to achievement of the educational aims, and the method through which the achievement of educational aims will be measured. The instructor, on-site supervisor, and student will all be expected to assent to the work plan.
Internship Assessments
At the end of the term students will be expected to prepare a report summarizing their work achievements. The report will also include a self-assessment of their learning experience.
The instructor will consult with the on-site supervisor at the end of the term for a final assessment of work accomplishments and the learning experience for the students.
Students will be assessed both on meeting work expectations and in achieving learning expectations.
Contact Us About Internship Opportunities
If you have questions or need further information about internship opportunities or other aspects of the Graduate Gerontology programs at UMass Boston, please feel free to contact us by e-mail at gerontology@umb.edu or by telephone at 617.287.7300.