The Department of Sociology offers internship opportunities to eligible students. Students receive 3 hours of academic credit towards their degree while interning at a n approved intern site for 12 hours per week during Fall or Spring term, 20 hours per week during Summer term, or 40 hours per week during the May mini-mester. Up to 6 hours of internship credit may be earned, but this entails additional hours at the inte rnship site. Check with the Intern Coordinator for details. Students are under the direction of the Intern Coordinator throughout the term of the internship.

Internships provide students with both observational and hands-on learning experiences designed to enhance their academic preparation and increase their ability to perform on a professional l evel after graduation. Students apply knowledge from their academic experiences to professional settings that are appropriate to sociology and receive practical experiences in the field. The objective is to provide students with actual work experiences wh ere they will learn the skills required to succeed in their profession after graduation.

Student must meet all the following requirements:

1. 2.5 overall GPA.*
2. 12 hours of Sociology coursework completed, including SOCI 1101.
3. At least 60 hours of coursework completed, (with 9 hours completed at GSU).
4. Submission of application for verification of eligibility (Click here for an application).
5. A letter of reference from a GSU faculty member within academic major.
6. A one page Statement of Purpose detailing what the student hopes to gain from the internship and how this relates to his/her career goals.

*(If the first requirement is not met, students may still qualify for an internship if they maintain a 2.75 GPA in their major with at least 15 hours of upper level Sociology coursework completed.)

PURPOSE OF INTERNSHIP

An internship provides students with both observational and hands-on learning experiences that enhance their academic preparation and increases their ability to perform on a professional level after graduation. In this regard, students will a pply knowledge from their academic experiences to professional settings that are appropriate to sociology. In the internship, students will receive practical experiences in applied sociology. The objective is to expose the student to actual work within wh ich they will learn skills required to succeed in their profession after graduation.

 Students should apply for the internship program well in advance of the semester of actual enrollment. Once the student submits all application forms, and eligibility is verified, he/she may schedule an appointment with the Intern Coordinator to discuss possible placement sites. The procedure is:

1. Student submits all application materials prior to deadline (see below).
2. Intern Coordinator verifies eligibility.
3. Student meets with Intern Coordinator to determine potential sites.
4. Student contacts sites, sets up interviews, etc.
5. Upon approval from intern site, student will be authorized to register.

DEADLINES -All Application Materials Are Due By The Following Dates:

• Fall Semester Deadline June 15th
• Spring Semester Deadline October 1st
• Summer Semester Deadline March 1st

The bulk of the student's time in this course is spent at the internship site. There are no regularly scheduled class meetings; however, students are expected to attend an internship workshop and or ganizational meeting at the beginning of the term, and a final meeting at the end of the term (the time and place for these will be included in the acceptance letter). In addition, students should schedule an individual meeting with the Intern Coordinator at mid-term.

Grades are based on attending mandatory meetings, the compilation of a field journal, and the agency supervisor's evaluation of the student's performance as an intern. Students are required to work 12 hours per week at the internship site dur ing Fall/Spring terms (20 hours per week during the summer term). Other requirements may apply as determined through coordination between the intern coordinator and the agency supervisor.

Students are expected to meet eligibility requirements for acceptance to the Internship Program. Once accepted, the student is expected to participate in the ongoing operation of the agency to the fulles t extent possible. Since the internship is considered an employment experience, the intern is expected to maintain a professional demeanor throughout the internship experience. The student must also meet course requirements, and attend mandatory meetings.

Wendy Simonds is the Undergraduate Director and Intern Coordinator for the Department of Sociology. Dracy Blackwell is the Administrativ e Specialist for Sociology and Wendy Simonds assistant. She can be reached at ( 404) 651-1842. The Intern Coordinator will insure a high quality educational experience for the student, and will act as liaison between the student, department, and internshi p site. The Intern Coordinator is the person agencies should contact regarding student matters and placement opportunities.

The major responsibility of the agency supervisor is to guide the internship experience of the intern while he or she is within the agency setting. The supervisor will make the final determinat ion as to whether a student is qualified to complete an internship with the agency. The supervisor will consult with the student to determine intern responsibilities. Any problems that develop must be reported by the supervisor to the student and to the I ntern Coordinator. At the end of the internship period, the supervisor will be asked to complete an evaluation of the student's performance.

• Application Form (PDF)