Internships and Work Experience Requirements
Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

Undergraduate Recreation and Leisure Studies majors are required to complete 800 hours of leadership or professional work experience in the recreation, parks, tourism or closely related field prior to being eligible to complete their senior internship. At least half of the work experience hours must be in a paid or volunteer position in the emphasis area you have selected in RLS.  Work done more than 1 semester prior to declaring your the RLS major can not be counted.  The work positions must at least partially be program leadership related or professional in nature, for example planning, supervising staff or administration.  All work experience used to meet the 800 requirement must be documented on Work Experience Verification form available in the RLS office.  Students who are Hospitality Management majors have completed a junior internship and do not need to verify 800 hours of work experience.  RLS minor only need 400 hours.

REC 680 is a 6 unit senior culminating experience internship for RLS majors and students who are Hospitality Management majors with a concentration in Commercial Recreation and Resorts.  RLS majors must work a minimum of 40 hours per week during the internship semester.  HM- CRR majors and RLS minors must work at minimum of 20 hours per week.  REC 680 INTERNSHIP IS ONLY OFFERED IN THE SPRING SEMESTER.  The process involves students searching for, finding and signing a contract for an internship site in the FALL semester. Normally, there is an internship orientation for students considering taking an internship in September.  Then the internship starts in February and ends in early May.  RLS majors must also take REC 660 and REC 690 along with REC 680.

To Be Eligible To Complete An Internship a Student Must:

*  Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major and overall studies
*  Must have completed all course work, GE and university requirements prior to internship.
*  Completed 800 hours of verified leadership or professional work experience (not required of HM)
*  Chose an internship site that will be a new setting, usually can not work at current job site
*  Have approval of the internship site by their RLS advisor 
 

Internship Site/Agency Requirements

*  Must be approved by the university.  Must provide student with a challenging, supportive learning opportunity.

*  Provide professional supervision

*  Be willing to participate in the intern evaluation process

*  Be within 60 miles of the campus.  Students can petition to conduct an internship outside 60 miles, but student must document that it provides an outstanding learning opportunity that can not be found within 60 miles.
 

Internship Compensation:

The REC 680 internship can be paid or volunteer. Usually interns receive some kind of compensation.  This could include a monthly stipend, reimbursement of travel expenses, paid attendance at conferences/travel, a monthly salary or an hourly wage.  This is negotiated with when you are setting up your internship.

Where Can I Get Info About Internship Opportunities

In the RLS office is an Internship Binder, segmented by emphasis.  It shows places who are looking for interns.  You can check the Job Board located outside the RLS office for current job listings.  After reviewing these data sources and talking with fellow students, set up an appointment to talk with your RLS advisor.