3
The Citadel
School of Science and Mathematics
Department of Health, Exercise,
and Sport Sciences
MANUAL FOR
UNDERGRADUATE
HEALTH, EXERCISE, AND SPORT SCIENCE
PHED-406:
FIELD EXPERIENCE
Fall 2008
Edited, Fall 2011 & Fall 2015
The Citadel
Department of Physical Education,
Exercise and Sport Sciences
Charleston, SC
Manual for
Phed_406: Field Experience
Purpose of the Field Experience Manual
This manual has been developed for use with PHED-406: Field Experience course. It contains not only general information relative to the experience but also information on specific course requirements and copies of forms necessary to document course work completed. Proper use of this manual will provide a consistent means of reporting and documenting the educational experiences associated with the field experience, as well as will produce the information needed to more accurately evaluate the total experience.
Purpose of the Field Experience
The basic purpose of the experience is to provide an opportunity for HESS undergraduate students to observe health, fitness/exercise, sport and/or leisure delivery agencies in operation (their procedures, organization, administration, hiring practices, maintenance, and programming aspects), and afford students opportunities to organize and implement activities under close supervision. Through this type of exposure, the students will receive practical, on-the-job experience in one or more types of health, fitness/exercise, sport and/or leisure agencies, which will further complement and enhance the student’s learning, and prepare him/her to enter the professional field upon graduation.
For the purpose of necessary feedback from the student to the Department’s Field Experience Supervisor, the student, during his/her placement will be responsible for submitting a weekly report to the Department’s Supervisor, addressing the following areas:
1. Nature of the week's work (brief summary of work done)
2. What new was learned from the experience for that week
3. Skills and Knowledge used by the student for that week
4. Problems in skills and knowledge encountered (deficiencies) and how they were solved
5. Plans for improving personal performance, based upon assessed deficiencies or new knowledge
6. situations observed that were beneficial/interesting for the pre-professional development
7. How the Agency Supervisor aided in the week's work (conferences with, assistance in the accomplishments of the student's duties, etc.).
8. Any additional statements such as accomplishments, satisfactions, or suggestions, and overall evaluations.
Eligibility for the Practicum
A Student:
1. Must be officially declared at least a 2B, and advisor’s/instructor’s permission to enroll PHED-406: Field Experience
2. Must have the Practicum selection approved in advance by the Departmental Supervisor (Form HESS 1), and the Practicum Agreement Forms completed and signed as necessary (Form HESS 2a & Form HESS 2b)
3. Must be enrolled in the appropriate Field Experience course for that semester in order to receive credit
4. Will be supervised by a practitioner within the health, fitness/exercise, sport and/or leisure agency chosen (in rare cases the agency might be different than above, if it fits student’s future goals).
5. Will be responsible for completing a minimum of 100 clock hours within one semester with the specified health, fitness/exercise, sport and/or leisure delivery agency for the credit of three (3) semester hours. Depending on the needs of the organization, the student might have to sign a contract or an MOU with said organization for more hours than required, based on the needs of the organization. Organizations needs supersede student’s ones.
6. Always has the choice to refuse practicum assignment that requires more hours than minimum departmental requirement but once agreed upon extended number of hours, students must abide by that demand or face failure in course, regardless if the minimum required hours have been achieved.
7. Will be responsible for completion of all forms required for the field experience and returning them to the Departmental Supervisor/Instructor
8. Will be responsible for submitting weekly reports to the Departmental Supervisor addressing the areas outlined in this manual
9. Must attend all scheduled Field Experience meetings during the semester
10. Will be responsible for developing a portfolio that documents various aspects of the Field Experience
11. Will be responsible for familiarizing him/herself with the various areas outlined in this manual
12. Must have an up-to-date resume (see Appendix B) and letter of application on file with the Departmental Supervisor prior to beginning the Field Experience
The Field Experience Portfolio
In addition to weekly reports, the student will also be responsible for developing a portfolio as part of the requirements for the course. This portfolio should contain the following:
1. Copy of the Approval Form (signed and dated)
2. Copy of the Agreement Form (signed and dated)
3. Copy of updated resume
4. Copy of letter of application for present experience
5. Copies of work schedule -1 per week
6. Copies of all weekly reports (signed and dated) -1 per week
7. Copy(s) of Project Planning Form(s) -1 per week
8. Examples of projects completed
9. Written descriptions of work performed as part of the experience
10. Supplemental material from agency
11. All required evaluation forms (signed and dated)
12. Copy of "thank you" letter to Agency Supervisor.
This portfolio should be brought to each scheduled meeting during the semester and must be presented, in good form, to the Departmental Practicum Supervisor for evaluation at the last meeting of the semester (usually the one that students present their experience).
Practicum Meetings
At the beginning of each semester a schedule of meetings, if necessary, will be distributed to all students enrolled in PHED-406 for that semester. This schedule will provide for approximately three (3) meeting during a regular semester or two (2) during a summer session. These meetings will be scheduled periodically throughout the semester or summer session, and will terminate prior to the end of the semester or summer session. The purposes of these meetings are to maintain contact with each student, monitor progress in the experience, check for required but not submitted documentation of the experience, and allow students to share information on their specific experience. At the last meeting of the semester each student will be expected to present an oral report on his/her experience.
Students will be expected to attend ALL scheduled Practicum meeting unless prior arrangements have been made with the Departmental Practicum Supervisor.
Weekly Report Information
Each Field Experience student is expected to submit a narrative description of his/her weekly work schedule. This report should be submitted to the Departmental Supervisor no later than the first Monday following the week for which the report is submitted. Reports submitted after the scheduled deadline will result in appropriate reductions in the final grade. The weekly report should include the following information:
1. Student’s name and date.
2. Field Experience agency and supervisor's name.
3. Weekly reports are to be written, in detail, addressing the following five areas:
a. Nature of the week's work
b. What was learned from experience during that week
c. Problems encountered and how they were solved
d. How the Supervisor aided in the week’s work (conferences with, assistance in the accomplishments of the student's duties, etc.).
e. Any additional statements such as accomplishments, satisfactions, or suggestions, and overall evaluations.
4. One week planning schedule, listing all activities for the coming week, should be submitted on the proper form (Form: HESS 3) with an accompanying weekly report (Form: HESS 4)
5. A Project Planning Form (Form: HESS 5) must be submitted for all projects in which the student is involved or for which he/she assumes primary responsibility.
6. All reports must be typed
7. All weekly reports must have the student's signature and date and the Agency Supervisor's signature and date, where necessary.
Things to Familiarize Yourself with During the Field Experience
· Orientation with the health, fitness/exercise, sport and/or leisure agency
· Divisions/units of the health, fitness/exercise, sport and/or leisure agency
· Structure of divisions/units
· Cost accounting
· Supplies
· Budgeting
· Programming
· Recruitment procedures - interview requirements
· Work and equipment request procedures
· Meetings - what kind, schedule, who attends
· Training sessions
· Filing system/strategies.
· Work schedule
· Systems of communication
· Personnel evaluation - how often, by whom, procedure
· Public relations system
· Publicity methods and techniques
· Staff morale factors - things that boost or hinder
· Staff relationships/fringe benefits
· System of reporting - forms, etc
· Use of volunteers
· Facilities, management and operations
· Risk management plan
· Community/area contacts/resources used
· Policy and procedure manuals
· Staff training programs
· Inventory procedures
· Equipment/facility check-out-reservation system
· Familiarity with all aspects of the health, fitness/exercise, sport and/or leisure agency
Responsibilities of the Field Experience
· Realize that the cooperating agency is providing service for the student's benefit
· Accept responsibility for working a minimum of 100 hours during the semester according to a schedule arranged by the student and the Field Experience Agency Supervisor
ü Students are advised to adhere to mention above about possible need by organization requiring in excess of the minimum 100 hours
ü In that case, the student may choose to change organization prior to start of the Field Experience.
ü Once course starts and student has agreed upon extended hours beyond the minimum requirement, he/she has to finish the semester as agreed upon or fail the course, even if minimum required hours have already been achieved
· Conform to The Citadel’s academic policies as an undergraduate student
· Provide to the Departmental Supervisor, in a timely fashion, all materials and information required for completion of the Practicum course, including a written statement outlining expected outcomes of the experience at the time of approval request
Responsibilities of the Agency Supervisor
· Provide professional guidance and direction for the student during the experience
· Assist the student in progressively assuming more responsibility, and in completion of a specific project for the total experience
· Assist the student in achieving goals set for the experience
· Provide the student with a written set of guidelines and duties for the experience
· Conduct a formal evaluation of the student's performance during the experience
· Above all remember that the student is there for experiential learning and not as an unpaid labor alone!!!
Responsibilities of the Departmental Supervisor
· Make contact with agencies and determine willingness to participate in the program
· Submit support material, including a copy of the Manual, to agencies participating in the field experience program
· Maintain frequent contact and/or visit with agencies
· Disclose background information to agencies about student's professional abilities and goals, based upon his/her curricular and co-curricular performance to date, with the approval of student
· Provide frequent academic guidance to students enrolled in the practicum
· Provide systemic evaluation of student's performance consistent with the purpose of the experience
· Assist in student placement (finding agency for placement still is responsibility of student mainly)
· Maintain constant contact with student during the experience
APPENDIX A
Pertaining to
Undergraduate Students
Sample Resume
Note: Additional ideas on sample resumes can be obtained by visiting the Career Center’s website at: http://www.citadel.edu/career_services/ResumeSamples.htm
Joe Doe/Joan Doe
Home Address College Address
221 Main Street The Citadel
Anytown, SC 12345 MSC 12345
(803) 890-1234 Charleston, SC 29409
(843) 123-4567
______
EDUCATION The Citadel, Charleston, SC 29409. Candidate for B. S. Degree in Exercise Science, May 20XX (or in B.S.. Degree in Sport Management)
EMPLOYMENT 5/03 - 8/03 Counselor, Camp Mac
BACKGROUND Green Mountain, MD
9/03 - 5/05 Work Study Program,
Deas Hall
The Citadel
6/05-8/05 Playground Leader,
Charleston County
Recreation and Parks
Charleston, SC
SPORT MANAGEMENT By course title, list all university sport management or
COURSES sport management related courses you have taken.
INTERESTS Swimming, tennis, reading, drama
EXTRA-CURRICULAR Sport Management Club, Intramural Volleyball
ACTIVITIES Rugby Club, November Company Officer.
SPECIAL TRAINING American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, CPR, First Aid
PROFESSIONAL N. America Society for Sport Management, AAHPERD, SCAHPERD,
ORGANIZATIONS HESS Student Club (Treasurer), IAAM
REFERENCES List at least three individuals familiar with your academic, employment, and personal background (addresses and phone numbers for each).
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
AND MATHEMATICS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EXERCISE, AND SPORT SCIENCE
PHED-406: Field Experience
Forms
Edited, Fall 2015
PRACTICUM APPROVAL FORM
FORM: HESS 1
Name: ______Date: ______
Campus Address: ______Phone: ______
Home Address: ______Phone: ______
Semester in which you plan to do the activity: ______
State special circumstances, if any, which you have that should be considered in assigning you for a Practica experience: ______
______
______
Type of Practicum agency where you desire placement:
First choice: ______
Second choice: ______
Third choice: ______
DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE
********************************************************************************
Semester: ______Sport Management Agency: ______
Agency Supervisor: ______
Agency Address: ______
______Phone: ______
Approved: _____ Disapproved: _____
Practica Supervisor: ______
Signature
PRACTICUM AGREEMENT
FORM: HESS 2a
This is to verify that the following student: ______
has been assigned and accepted as a Field Experience/Practicum assignment with
Agency: ______
The student is expected to work in the agency a minimum of 100 hours during the semester, not to exceed 20 hours per week. The student is also expected to adhere to the agency's policies, rules, and regulations as well as the policies of The Citadel’s Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Science. In addition, at request of the organization, the student might be required to exceed the minimum of 100 hours, with his/her consent, as stated in course Manual