Thank you for considering hosting a KRSS student within your organization. Our KRSS Field Experience Handbook provides comprehensive information to support a successful and mutually beneficial internship experience.
Below, you will find key highlights to help guide you through the process.
General Information
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.
Hosting an intern provides numerous benefits to an organization, including fresh perspectives, increased productivity, and mentorship opportunities. Interns bring new ideas, enthusiasm, and up-to-date academic knowledge that can enhance workplace innovation. They can assist with projects, reduce workloads for staff, and contribute to daily operations. Internships also serve as a pipeline for identifying and training potential future employees, allowing organizations to assess talent before making hiring decisions. Additionally, mentoring interns fosters leadership development among staff and strengthens the organization’s reputation within academic and professional communities.
Practicums and internships in KRSS start at the beginning of the enrolled semester and end at the end of the enrolled semester.
It depends! See the table below.
| Program | 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 |
Practicums or internships can be paid or unpaid.
Qualifications and Requirements
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.
A student intern should be provided with a supportive, structured, and professional work environment that fosters learning and skill development. This includes, but is not limited to, clear expectations, guidance and mentorship, an inclusive and respectful work culture and climate, beneficial learning opportunities, and a safe and ethical workplace.
Responsibilities and Expectations
- Be able to provide the number of hours necessary for students to meet the course requirements.
- Develop and carry out policies and procedures for a quality experience.
- Set up and professionally conduct interviews.
- Read and sign off on the Field Experience Letter, which will be provided by the student prior to the start of the field experience.
- Provide orientation for students according to organization needs.
- Create an environment at the organization that values the education of the student including preparation of staff to include students in daily routines.
- Collaborate with the university and the student for the educational outcomes for the internship including individual goals for the student, reports, and visits with the Field Experience Coordinator.
- Arrange for resources and access that support the educational experience.
- Allow the Site Supervisor adequate time to train the student including midterm (if applicable) and final evaluations, regular meetings with the student, and other responsibilities associated with being a direct supervisor.
- The Site Supervisor should also provide weekly feedback to discuss any issues regarding the student.
- Maintain open communication with the university regarding the processes, progress of students via performance evaluations, and notify the course instructor of any concerns in a timely manner.
- Follow all relevant and applicable laws, rules, regulations, or standards, including ADA, FERPA, and HIPAA.
Yes. Site supervisors will be responsible for evaluating their practicum or internship student. The supervisor will receive an evaluation link via email from the field experience coordinators.
Logistics and Support
The Director of Field Education hosts virtual site support hours on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon to provide support during practicum and internships. This time can be used to discuss your experiences, process challenges or successes, ask questions, and voice any concerns.
If this is the first occurrence of the undesirable behavior, we recommend scheduling a meeting with the student to address the issue. Use this conversation to clearly outline expectations, discuss necessary improvements moving forward, and keep thorough documentation.
If the behavior continues after the initial conversation, refer to page 18 of the KRSS Field Experience Handbook for guidance. Additionally, contact the course instructor to determine the appropriate next steps. For students majoring in Sport Management or Therapeutic Recreation, contact Ashley Hamilton at ashleyhamilton@utk.edu. Students majoring in kinesiology can contact Ben Lampkin at blampkin@utk.edu.
We do have a policy for dismissing a student from a site, which you fill find in our handbook, but we strongly encourage the site supervisor to use this option as an absolute last resort as the student’s grade in this course and, ultimately their graduation depends on their ability to complete this course successfully.
If you are having recurring issues with a student or the student’s behavior created an unsafe environment, please email the course instructor. For students majoring in Sport Management or Therapeutic Recreation, contact Ashley Hamilton at ashleyhamilton@utk.edu. Students majoring in kinesiology can contact Ben Lampkin at blampkin@utk.edu.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
No. The university provides this to every student enrolled in a practicum or internship course.
If you need proof of Student Liability Insurance, please email KRSSinternships@utk.edu.
No. The university does not require any confidentiality requirements of the students. However, sites may require this.
Yes. Students are informed that the nature of the field experience may require work on evenings and weekends and may also require travel. However, we encourage sites to inform students of these types of requirements early on in the application process.