Internship and Practicum FAQs
Welcome to the internship & practicum FAQs!This resource is designed to answer common questions and provide guidance as you navigate your internship or practicum experience. Whether you need clarity on requirements, site supervisor expectations, evaluations, or professional conduct, you’ll find helpful information here. Our goal is to support you in making the most of this opportunity and ensuring a smooth, successful experience.
General Information
What is the purpose of a practicum or internship?
A practicum or internship provides students with hands-on experience to apply classroom knowledge, develop professional skills, and explore career paths. It helps shape their professional identity, enhances employability, and offers networking opportunities with industry professionals. Through real-world practice, students gain valuable feedback, refine their skills, and build confidence in their chosen field.
Is the practicum / internship a requirement for my degree program?
Yes.
If you are a Kinesiology major, KNS 260N is a required course for graduation; however, KNS 426 is optional and will satisfy a departmental elective, a professional elective, and/or an unrestricted elective requirement.
If you are a Sport Management major, RSM 290N, RSM 390N, and RSM 490N are all required courses for graduation.
If you are a Therapeutic Recreation major, RSM 294N, RSM 394N, and RSM 494N are all required courses for graduation.
Why are there two sections of KNS 426, RSM 490N and RSM 494N?
One section is reserved for students completing their internship in the Knoxville area and/or will be using on-campus resources during the semester. The other section is reserved for students completing their internship outside of the Knoxville area.
How long does the practicum/internship last?
All undergraduate practicums and internships in the KRSS department will span from the beginning to the end of the enrolled semester. All hours must be completed by the due date listed in the course syllabus.
Can I choose my practicum/internship site, or will one be assigned to me?
You are required to find your field experience site.
What if I need help finding a site?
If you have done everything you can and given a valiant effort to finding and securing a site but are still running into difficulties, there are a few options available to you:
- Check your major’s Canvas page. There are lots of opportunities regularly posted there as they come across our desks.
- Ask your colleagues!
- Email [email protected].
How can I make sure that my site will be approved?
Email [email protected] to have your site reviewed.
Can I split my practicum/internship between more than one site?
Kinesiology and Therapeutic Recreation majors may only complete their practicum or internship hours at one location. Likewise, Sport Management majors enrolled in RSM 290N or RSM 390N may only use one site to satisfy the requirements of their practicum.
Sport Management students enrolled in RSM 490N are permitted to use two sites to satisfy the requirements of their internship.
Can I complete my practicum/internship somewhere other than Knoxville?
Yes, placements can be completed all over the country and even internationally!
Can I use the same site more than once?
It depends. If you wish to use the same site a second time, you must work with your site supervisor to develop a proposal outlining how the second experience will differ from the first. You may use this link to submit your proposal. The field experience coordinators and course instructors will review your proposal at their earliest convenience and either approve or reject the proposal. In either case, the site must continue to meet the course requirements.
Does my practicum/internship have to be paid or unpaid?
Your experience can be paid or unpaid. That is between you and your site.
Will hours completed before the semester begins count towards my practicum or internship?
Hours completed before the semester starts will not be permitted to count toward the hour requirement in the course. Likewise, hours completed before the student has received approval from the field experience coordinators will not be permitted to count toward the hour requirement in the course, regardless of whether the semester has started.
Qualifications and Requirements
What are the prerequisites for participating in a practicum/internship?
For Kinesiology majors:
- To enroll in KNS 260N, students must have completed KNS 200.
- To enroll in KNS 426, students must have completed KNS 260N and have declared Kinesiology as their major.
For Sport Management majors:
- To enroll in RSM 290N, students must have completed RSM 250 with a C or better and have a 2.5 GPA at the time of enrollment.
- To enroll in RSM 390N, students must have completed RSM 290N with a C or better and have a 2.5 GPA at the time of enrollment.
- To enroll in RSM 490N, students must have completed RSM 390N with a C or better and have a 2.5 GPA at the time of enrollment.
For Therapeutic Recreation majors:
- To enroll in RSM 294N, students must have completed RSM 201 with a C or better and have a 2.5 GPA at the time of enrollment.
- To enroll in RSM 394N, students must have completed RSM 294N with a C or better and have a 2.5 GPA at the time of enrollment.
- To enroll in RSM 494N, students must have completed RSM 394N with a C or better, BMCB 230, EEB 250, and EEB 251, and all TR coursework with a C or better.
What are documents that may be required before my practicum/internship starts?
- Affiliation Agreement
- Public School Placement Procedures
- Background check
- Drug screen
- Immunization record/waivers
- Physical
- Basic Life Support or First Aid/CPR
- Orientations
- Attestations
- HIPAA Confidentiality Agreement
- Personal health insurance
- Clinical Practical Training (for international students only)
- Minors Training (for students working with children under the age of 18)
- Site Repeat
Who can serve as my site supervisor?
Site supervisors must be qualified professionals with sufficient knowledge and expertise to provide effective guidance. They should be employed in at least a part-time capacity at the facility or organization.
A site supervisor must not be an undergraduate student, an unqualified graduate student, a close friend, or a family member of the student. This ensures objectivity, professionalism, and impartiality in supervision.
Can I intern at a site where a family member or close friend works
Yes. You may work where a family member or close friend also works. However, you may not use a family member or close friend as a supervisor (whether formal, direct, or secondary).
Responsibilities and Expectations
What are my responsibilities as an intern?
Responsibilities for interns are outlined in detail in the KRSS Field Experience Handbook.
What kinds of tasks or projects will I be expected to complete?
Students in all three KRSS majors can expect to complete at least the following:
- Timesheet submissions
- Reflections
- A thank you note to their site supervisor at the end of their field experience
- An evaluation of their site/sit supervisor
Each course will also have additional assignments and projects, which can be found in the course syllabus.
How many hours do I need to complete for my practicum or internship?
| Major | Course | Hours |
| Kinesiology | KNS260N Practicum in Kinesiology | 50 |
| Kinesiology | KNS426 Practicum in Kinesiology II | 50-300 |
| Sport Management | RSM290N Sport Management Practicum I | 120 |
| Sport Management | RSM 390N Sport Management Practicum II | 120 |
| Sport Management | RSM 490N Sport Management Internship | 480 |
| Therapeutic Recreation | RSM294N Therapeutic Recreation Practicum I | 120 |
| Therapeutic Recreation | RSM394N Therapeutic Recreation Practicum II | 120 |
| Therapeutic Recreation | RSM494N Therapeutic Recreation Internship | 560 |
Will I receive academic credit for my practicum or internship?
Yes!
Logistics and Support
Who do I contact if I have concerns about my practicum/internship?
You can reach out to your course instructor if you have concerns about your field experience.
What should I do if I have a conflict with my site supervisor?
First things first, talk with your site supervisor about the issue(s) calmly and professionally. If you have done this and the issue(s) continue, reach out to your course instructor.
What resources are available to help me during my practicum/internship?
As you go through your practicum or internship, there are several resources available to you. Those include the KRSS Field Experience Handbook, the Field Experience coordinators, and your course instructor. Always check the handbook and your course syllabus first! If you cannot find the answer to your question after that, you can reach out to the Field Experience Coordinators ([email protected]) for matters of administration and getting started or your course instructor for matters related to the academic content of the course.
Can I change sites if I have a problem?
It depends. If you have addressed the issue with your site supervisor and the situation has not improved, reach out to your course instructor. They will talk with you about your options.
What happens if I cannot complete my internship due to unforeseeable and/or extenuating circumstances?
If you have an extenuating circumstance, please reach out to your course instructor as soon as possible and be ready to provide any documentation that you may have (documentation is key!). They will work with you to ensure that you are able to complete the course.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Do I need liability insurance for my internship/practicum and if so, how do I get it?
Yes. Once you are enrolled in the course, you will automatically be billed for the University-provided Student Liability Insurance by the Bursar’s Office. The cost is $10 USD per policy year, which runs from June 1 of one year to May 31 of the following year. If your site is requesting a Certificate of Insurance, email [email protected].
Are there confidentiality rules that I must follow?
Yes, you are required to follow your site’s confidentiality rules (i.e., HIPAA, FERPA).
Will I be required to work evenings, weekends, or during UT breaks?
Possibly. You are expected to work with your site supervisor to develop a work schedule that is conducive to your school schedule as well as your site supervisor’s schedule and needs. This could mean that you will work evenings, weekend days, and/or during UT breaks (like spring break, fall break, etc.). Make sure to confirm whether this is the case for your site before you accept an offer.
If time off is needed, you should communicate with your site supervisor as soon as possible. Treat this like you would a job!
What should I do if I experience or witness unethical behavior at my site?
Your first step is to complete the KRSS Field Experience Incident Report Form, then reach out to your course instructor via email or during their student support hours.
What happens if I do not meet the expectations of the university or my site?
Failing to meet the expectations of your site or the university will result in a failing or non-passing grade in the course.