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Practicum

Practicum in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

The Practicum provides students with valuable supervised practical experience for a specified period of time. It will take years of experience and plenty of networking to obtain your "Dream Job", and it all begins with your first practicum. Success is most likely to occur when preparation meets opportunity. It is not enough just to be in the right place at the right time, but it is also important to be prepared. Your Practicum is your opportunity to prepare for the future.

Below you will find a copy of the syllabi according to the semester you plan on taking the practicum and resources that will be needed to complete the practicum. You will also find potential jobs and sites that may be of interest to you. If you have a potential practicum that is not on the list please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Alyssa Weatherholt at 812-464-1742. Good luck and make the most of your experience!

EXSC & KIN Practicum Handbook              

- Questions and Answers -

Undergraduate Students

  • KIN 283 - Filed Experience in Sport & Physical Activity - No prerequisite but encouraged to take freshman year
  • KIN 393 - Practicum in Kinesiology I - Prerequisites are KIN 283 and Sophomore standing
  • KIN 493 - Practicum in Kinesiology II - Prerequisites are KIN 283 and Senior standing
  • EXSC 496 - Practicum in Exercise Science - Prerequisites ate KIN 283 and Senior standing
  • EXSC 497 - Practicum in Strength & Conditioning - Prerequisites are KIN 283 and Senior standing

The student is ultimately responsible for finding and securing a practicum.  However, the Kinesiology and Sport Department Faculty Internship Coordinator and the USI Office of Career Services and Internships Career Coordinator may assist in the responsibility.

It is important that the student does not procrastinate, therefore it is highly recommended to begin looking at possible practicum sites two semesters prior to taking the practicum course. Practicum announcements are sent via email, posted on the practicum website, and posted on the practicum bulletin board. Students may also review practicum announcements for many different organizations located in a handbook within the Kinesiology and Sport Department.  In addition, students may also visit the USI Office of Career Services and Internships.

Students may enroll in the KIN 283, KIN 393, KIN 493, and/or EXSC 496 courses after meeting prerequisites.  Students must complete a mandatory orientation prior to beginning the KIN 393, KIN 493, EXSC 496, and EXSC 497 courses.

Undergraduate

  • KIN 283 - Field Experience in Sport and Physical Activity - Students must complete 20-hours
  • KIN 393 - Practicum in Kinesiology I - Students must complete a minimum of 150-hours
  • KIN 493 - Practicum in Kinesiology II - Students must complete a minimum of 150-hours for the 3 credit hour course, 200-hours for the 4 credit hour course or 250-hours for the 5 credit hour course.
  • EXSC 496 - Practicum in Exercise Science - Students must complete a minimum of 150-hours for the 3 credit hour course, 200-hours for the 4 credit hour course, 250-hours for the 5 credit hour course, or 300-hours for the 6 credit hour course.
  • EXSC 497 - Practicum in Strength & Conditioning - Students must complete a minimum of 150-hours for the 3 credit hour course, 200-hours for the 4 credit hour course, 250-hours for the 5 credit hour course, or 300-hours for the 6 credit hour course.

Students may have multiple practicum locations in order to fulfill the required hours.

- Practicum Opportunities -

  • Eastern Michigan University Sport Performance - For more information email fhale@emich.edu
  • IU Men's Basketball - Click here for more information
  • K's Training Academy 
  • Nutriformance/Athletic Republic STL - For more information email charliem@nutriformance.com
  • Reitz High School Strength Crew - For more information email Andy Hape at andy.hape@evsc.k12.in.us
  • Rick Stein's Basketball Camp - For more information email Rick Stein at rstein@usi.edu
  • USI Strength & Conditioning - For more information email Josh Wildeman at jnwildeman@usi,edu
  • USI Intramural Sports - For more information email Joe Gratz at jgratz@usi.edu
  • USI Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center - For more information contact Stephanie Schwake at schwake@usi.edu

Practicum and Internships in Sport Management

The department requires that all students completing a BS or BA in Sport Management must fulfill the following internship/practicum requirements for graduation:

  • SPTM 283 - Field Experience in Sport and Physical Activity
  • SPTM 305 - Practicum in Sport Management (completed at a site of student's choosing)
  • SPTM 498 - Internship in Sport Management (completed at a site of student's choosing)

During these experiences students will gain valuable insight and practical experience. Students select a site for the SPTM 283 experience with the assistance of the faculty member teaching the course.  The SPTM 305 placement is at a site of the student's choosing.

Students select the SPTM 498 internship with assistance from their adviser and the Faculty Internship Coordinator.  The student may also seek assistance from the USI Office of Career Services and Internships (http://www.usi.edu/careerservices) which provides a variety of internships and job search services as well as career development for students.

Students seeking more information about practicum/internship opportunities or sport organizations wishing to post a position should contact Dr. Chase Smith Faculty Internship Coordinator, at cmsmith1@usi.edu or 812-461-5496.

Practicum and Internship Handbook

   

- Questions and Answers -

SPTM 283 - Field Experience in Sport and Physical Activity

The field experience/observation course is offered during the student's freshman year. The students learn how to complete a resume, cover letter, portfolio, and learn about networking and interview skills during the first portion of the course.  In addition, students will complete a 20-hour field experience during the second half of the course.  The field experience provides students with practical experiences in sport and exercise related fields. Students have the opportunity to observe professionals at work and learn about the basic operations of a facility and about programs and services offered.  This filed experience is completed early in the curriculum so a student can make a decision if this is actually a career they want to continue to pursue. 

SPTM 305 - Practicum in Sport Management

A practicum usually occurs on a part-time basis during the student's sophomore or junior year, and focuses on specific objectives.  Students are allowed to take other coursework with the practicum, and therefore the sites are within a reasonable driving distance of the university.  The practicum integrates coursework with planned and supervised intercollegiate athletic experiences for a total of 150 hours.  For the Kinesiology and Sport Department, the Practicum in Sport Management is completed at a site of the student's choosing.

SPTM 498 - Internship in Sport Management

The internship takes place upon completion of all coursework and exposes students to a practical learning environment through which they apply classroom theory to reality.  In most cases the internship is a full-time (40 hours/week) work experience for a minimum of 450 hours.

Undergraduate Students

  • SPTM 283 - Field Exp in Sport and Physical Activity - No prerequisite, encouraged to take freshman year
  • SPTM 305 - Practicum in Sport Management - 283 and Sophomore standing
  • SPTM 498 - Internship in Sport Management - 283 and Senior standing

The student is ultimately responsible for finding and securing a practicum/internship. However, the Kinesiology and Sport Department Faculty Internship Coordinator and the USI Office of Career Services and Internships Career Coordinator may assist in the responsibility.

It is important the student does not procrastinate, so it is highly recommended to begin looking at the internship two semesters prior to the internship course.  Internship announcements are sent via email, posted on the internship website, and posted on the internship bulletin board.  Students may review internship announcements for many sport organizations located in a handbook within the Kinesiology and Sport Department.  In addition, students may also visit the USI Office of Career Services and Internships.

Students may enroll in the SPTM 283 and 305 courses after meeting prerequisites. Students must complete a mandatory orientation prior to beginning the SPTM 305 practicum.

The SPTM 498 internship course is a closed class regardless if the student meets the prerequisite.  Students must complete a mandatory orientation meeting with the Faculty Internship Coordinator to review the application and internship work agreement documents. Students must submit an internship application and work agreement before the closed class hold will be removed.

Undergraduate

  • SPTM 283 - Field Experience in Sport and Physical Activity - Students must complete 20-hours
  • SPTM 305 - Practicum in Sport Management - Students must complete a minimum of 150-hours
  • SPTM 498 - Internship in Sport Management - Students must complete a minimum of 450-hours, they complete the internship with more than one sport organization to complete the 450 hours

- Practicum Opportunities -

  • USI Athletic Department
    • Athletic Administration - Click here for more information
    • Athletic Compliance - Click here for more information
  • USI Intramural Sports - For more information email Joe Gratz at jgratz@usi.edu
  • USI Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center - For more information contact Stephanie Schwake at schwake@usi.edu