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\u2019ll find helpful information here. Our goal is to support you in making the most of this opportunity and ensuring a smooth, successful experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a Sport Management major, RSM 290N, RSM 390N, and RSM 490N are all required courses for graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a Therapeutic Recreation major, RSM 294N, RSM 394N, and RSM 494N are all required courses for graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
You are required to find your field experience site.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Email KRSSinternships@utk.edu<\/a> to have your site reviewed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sport Management students enrolled in RSM 490N are permitted to use two sites to satisfy the requirements of their internship.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Yes, placements can be completed all over the country and even internationally!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Your experience can be paid or unpaid. That is between you and your site.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Kinesiology majors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Sport Management majors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Therapeutic Recreation majors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 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).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Responsibilities for interns are outlined in detail in the KRSS Field Experience Handbook.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Students in all three KRSS majors can expect to complete at least the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each course will also have additional assignments and projects, which can be found in the course syllabus.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Yes!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n You can reach out to your course instructor if you have concerns about your field experience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n As you go through your practicum or internship, there are several resources available to you. Those include the KRSS Field Experience Handbook<\/a>, 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 (KRSSinternships@utk.edu<\/a>) for matters of administration and getting started or your course instructor for matters related to the academic content of the course.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nCan I split my practicum\/internship between more than one site? <\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Can I complete my practicum\/internship somewhere other than Knoxville?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Can I use the same site more than once?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Does my practicum\/internship have to be paid or unpaid?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Will hours completed before the semester begins count towards my practicum or internship?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Qualifications and Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the prerequisites for participating in a practicum\/internship?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\n
What are documents that may be required before my practicum\/internship starts?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
\n
Who can serve as my site supervisor?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Can I intern at a site where a family member or close friend works<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Responsibilities and Expectations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are my responsibilities as an intern?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
What kinds of tasks or projects will I be expected to complete?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
\n
How many hours do I need to complete for my practicum or internship?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Major<\/strong><\/td> Course<\/strong><\/td> Hours<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Kinesiology <\/td> KNS260N Practicum in Kinesiology <\/td> 50<\/td><\/tr> Kinesiology <\/td> KNS426 Practicum in Kinesiology II <\/td> 50-300<\/td><\/tr> Sport Management <\/td> RSM290N Sport Management Practicum I <\/td> 120<\/td><\/tr> Sport Management <\/td> RSM 390N Sport Management Practicum II <\/td> 120<\/td><\/tr> Sport Management <\/td> RSM 490N Sport Management Internship <\/td> 480<\/td><\/tr> Therapeutic Recreation <\/td> RSM294N Therapeutic Recreation Practicum I <\/td> 120<\/td><\/tr> Therapeutic Recreation <\/td> RSM394N Therapeutic Recreation Practicum II <\/td> 120<\/td><\/tr> Therapeutic Recreation <\/td> RSM494N Therapeutic Recreation Internship <\/td> 560<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Will I receive academic credit for my practicum or internship?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Logistics and Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Who do I contact if I have concerns about my practicum\/internship?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
What should I do if I have a conflict with my site supervisor?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
What resources are available to help me during my practicum\/internship?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
Can I change sites if I have a problem?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
What happens if I cannot complete my internship due to unforeseeable and\/or extenuating circumstances?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>