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Student Information

In many aspects finding the best internship position is treated like a “trial run” at a job search for students. Students are responsible for acquiring an appropriate internship with the direction of staff and faculty at NCU. Each academic department directs and designs the specific requirements of a student’s internship in conjunction with the objectives of the student’s academic major. Planning for an internship should begin during a student’s sophomore year. Every student who has achieved junior or senior status in the following programs is required to register for and complete the appropriate internship to qualify for graduation:

  • Campus Missions                            PRAC 490 Campus Missions Practicum
  • Children & Family Ministries             PRAC 492 Student Ministries Internship
  • Evangelism & Church Planting          PRAC 488 Ministerial Internship
  • Pastoral Studies                              PRAC 488 Ministerial Internship
  • Youth Development Studies              PRAC 491 Youth Development Internship
  • Youth Ministries                               PRAC 492 Student Ministries Internship

How does a student find an internship?

 
Students are responsible for planning and arranging the details of their internship.  Their academic advisor, NCU faculty, and staff can help them in their search for the best internship opportunity.  All internship sites must submit an Internship Site Application [online form | downloadable form] and be approved by North Central University.

Here are some helpful steps to finding an internship site:
  1. Submit an Internship Application [online form | downloadable form] and register for the appropriate course.
  2. Pay attention to campus announcements.
  3. Visit www.northcentral.edu and www.youthandleadership.com to see available internships.
  4. When pastors and organizations come to campus, sign-up for an interview appointment.
  5. Call potential churches and organizations and ask if they have internship programs.

Course Description & Objectives

 
An internship is an experiential learning opportunity. The internship is a 3-credit course that can be taken in one semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer) or two 1.5-credit courses taken over two consecutive semesters. The student will commit to participate with an experienced professional or organization in their chosen field of church ministry, service, or community leadership.  The internship church or organization shall provide the student with the experience and application of theories, ideas, and expertise accumulated through textbooks, classroom learning, and observation during their undergraduate studies.  By the end of the internship, the student will be able to:
  1. Work as a professional in a specialized field of church ministry or community service for a minimum of 240 contact hours.
  2. Work as part of a team / staff member accountable to a supervisor.
  3. Identify and observe leadership and administrative styles in the operation of a church ministry and / or community service organization.
  4. Use their gifts, talents, expertise, and training in a ministry and / or service position to complete assignments and expectations of the internship providing organization.
  5. Demonstrate the degree to which they have mastered the above objectives by meeting deadlines, completing reading assignments, and reporting to their site internship supervisor and NCU internship director in a quality manner.

Student Requirements

 
In order to successfully participate and complete an internship, a student:
  1. Must be a junior or senior.
  2. Must fill out a Student Internship Application [online form | downloadable form] and submit it to the NCU internship director or department chair.
  3. Must register during the scheduled registration period designated in the NCU school calendar for the appropriate internship course.  Students must register for the internship during the semester that they will participate in the internship.
  4. Anticipate the following minimum time investment:
    1. 3 credit hours = minimum 240 contact hours during one semester
    2. 1.5 credit hours = minimum 120 contact hours during one semester, must take over two consecutive semesters.
  5. Arrange an internship with an approved church, ministry, or organization with the direction of the student’s academic department. (Approval must be finalized with the academic department and NCU internship director prior to the start of the internship).
  6. Must have an Entrance Interview with the NCU internship director or department chair prior to beginning their internship to receive course syllabus, academic requirements, assignments, and information.
  7. Successfully complete and receive a passing grade for all academic assignments listed in the course syllabus. The following is a list of potential academic requirements: (The course syllabus will contain exact requirements and deadlines).
    1. A minimum of 3 books read & reviewed. (4 books for two 1.5 credit courses)
    2. A learning agreement [online form | downloadable form].
    3. Mid-semester 1 page student report.
    4. Mid-semester site supervisor report form [online form | downloadable form].
    5. End of semester 3-5 page student report.
    6. End of semester site supervisor report form [online form | downloadable form].
    7. Hour log [online form | downloadable form] & Student Journal
    8. Exit Interview.
  8. Satisfactorily complete all assignments and expectations given by the internship site.

What is an intern expected to do? (Intern’s Course Requirements)

 
The student must complete the following assignments in a timely manner for the successful completion of an internship:
  • Submit an Internship Application [online form | downloadable form] (including references [online form | downloadable form] and record of release authorization [online form | downloadable form]) and register for the appropriate course(s).
  • Research, arrange, and acquire an approved internship site prior to the registered term.
  • Meet with the Internship Director in an ENTRANCE MEETING to receive instruction and direction.
    • Confirm the internship site and contact information of the ministry or organization you will be working with, along with the name of your onsite supervisor.
    • Describe and get approval of the types of activities your internship will entail.  Meet with your onsite supervisor to discuss the expectations and assignments of the internship. A LEARNING AGREEMENT [online form | downloadable form] between the intern, site, and NCU internship director must be completed and submitted during the first week of the internship.
  • All papers should be written with proper college-level English grammar, conform to either MLA or APA style guide (except were noted in this syllabus), and be type-printed on white paper.  Papers should be clean and neat, legible and free from erasures, white out or correction tape.
  • The following ASSIGNMENTS will be completed and submitted to the professor in a timely manner:
  • READ the required texts and submit a 2-3 page reflection paper on each. (A total of three reflection papers for a full-time internship or two reflection papers per semester for a part-time internship will be due).
    • Required Materials:**
      • Covey, Stephen R., The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990.
      • Sanders, J. Oswald, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer.  Chicago: Moody Press, 1967, 1980, 1994.
    • READ A BOOK of your choosing (or assigned by your site internship supervisor) regarding leadership, pastoral care, pastoral ministry, child development, children’s ministry, family ministry, adolescent development, youth culture, youth ministry, or related to your specialized field of study.
      **The required materials for a part-time (1.5 credit) internship is either Covey’s or Sanders’ book plus an additional book of the student’s or site internship supervisor’s choosing.  In other words, two books each semester are required for a part-time internship.

  • Keep a regular JOURNAL of your devotions, assignments, internship activities, and thoughts. (To be shown to the Internship Director at your exit interview).
  • The student will write and submit a mid-semester REPORT to the professor: (Due date in syllabus)
    • This report is simply a 1 or 2 page summary of the student’s experience.
    • Include what projects or assignments you have been assigned.
    • Evaluate your experience at this point and report your degree of satisfaction.
    • Address To: 
          Dr. Tracy Paino
          North Central University
          910 Elliot Ave.
          Minneapolis, MN 55404
    • Complete and submit a 3-5 page Semester Report at the conclusion of the semester detailing your experiences, what you enjoyed, what you endured, and what you gained from the experience thus far. (Due at your exit interview)
    • Have your Internship site supervisor turn in a Mid-Semester Report [online form | downloadable form] and the Final Internship Report [online form | downloadable form]. (due dates in syllabus)
    • Make an appointment and complete a personal EXIT INTERVIEW with the Internship Director at the end of the semester.
       

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