Human Physiology Internship

Course description: Practical experience in a clinic, hospital, research institution, or other healthcare setting. The majority of field sites will offer: experience in clinical or basic research; the evaluation of cardiovascular health and fitness; cardiac rehabilitation; or duties related to the day-to-day operations of these agencies.

Requirements

• Completion of all required academic courses through the student’s junior year
• Consent of the instructor prior to registration
  
• Minimum grade point average of 2.0
  

Credits: 4 credit, 140 contact hours

Grading: A letter grade will be given for this course.

Objectives

In a clinical or research setting, students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply academic knowledge to real-world experiences
  
• Adapt quickly to their site’s routines, procedures, and atmosphere
  
• Perform assigned tasks with competence and minimum supervision
• Act in a mature, professional manner, instilling confidence in clients
• Work harmoniously with colleagues, patients, and others at their site
  

This is an opportunity to integrate classroom learned concepts to a working healthcare-related setting, like a clinic, hospital, community or research institution.

Requirements for completion:

• 140 hours of onsite internship experience (approx. 10-15 hours/week for 12-14 weeks)
• Reflections about experience
• Completion of course assignments
• Midpoint and final reviews with site supervisor

Registration

Consult with your Academic Faculty Advisor early to discuss class scheduling, or the possibility of taking additional classes in preparation for your internship.

Note: Though we have an extensive network of partner sites, consider your personal network of peers, faculty, and professional contacts when choosing your affiliate site.

Plan

1. After reviewing the information on this page, complete and submit the Internship Planning Survey
2. Review the Internship Manual
3. Meet with a Clinical Administrator only after you review the Internship Manual
4. Prepare your resume and schedule interviews with your chosen sites
5. Once offered an internship, email Internship Coordinators Sarah Barnes or Kelly Pesanelli, who will contact your site supervisor and formalize your affiliation

Next Steps

1. Register for SAR HS410 or 412 (4 credits)
2. Attend an Internship Information Session if available (ask your advisor)

Download Internship Manual

Volunteer Opportunities

Boston University’s Human Physiology Program requires that all students complete an internship in their senior year.

The internship requires 140 hours of work, or a minimum of 8 weeks under the supervision of a designated site supervisor, and the guidance of the internship office.

• Serve as a liaison between the Human Physiology program and the organization site
• Act as a mentor whose primary goal is to synthesize the development between academic learning and applied health practice
• Provide regular feedback to the student
• Assist the student in developing Learning Objectives and Goals
  
• Meet with the student to evaluate their performance and submit their Midpoint and Final Reviews (forms below)
  

• Complete the Internship Request Form to provide information regarding internship opportunities for BU students
• Contact us at hpintern@bu.edu with any questions

Learning Contract

We request that you discuss the Learning Objectives and Goals with the student within two week of start of date on-site. Student is required to submit this directly to the Clinical Instructor,

Midpoint Review

Please submit the Midpoint Review at the midpoint of the internship semester. We encourage you to share your feedback directly with students. This provides an opportunity to assess the progress of the student and make adjustments, if necessary.

Final Review

Please submit the Final Review at the end of the semester. We encourage you to share this feedback with the student. This provides the opportunity to review the progress on objectives and goals and assess the overall performance. This is a critical component of the practicum and professional development of the student.