Instructor
Your Career Track Advisor
Course Description
You are required to complete the Field Experience in order to be eligible to enroll in RPLS 495 Practicum which is the capstone experience for your major. You will contract with you advisor to complete 100 hours of volunteer and/or paid experience in a leisure services organization.
Program Outcomes
Accreditation Standard: 8.28
Formal field experience(s) of at least 100 total documented clock hours in appropriate professional recreation organizations/agencies prior to internship.
Student Learning Outcomes
Through your field experience you will:
- gain hands-on experience by completing 100 hours in a leisure services organization.
- observe appropriate work habits in a professional setting.
- demonstrate readiness for the practicum experience in your career track.
- discuss the application process for the practicum with your advisor
Requirements
You will need to:
- complete 100 hours in a leisure services organization during the semester.
- maintain a weekly "Log of Field Experience" form to be submitted to your advisor every two weeks. This log will contain individual tasks/projects worked on and personal reactions and observations to each day's assignments.
- meet with your advisor as arranged.
- begin the practicum application process with your advisor.
- prepare a final written report to be signed by you agency supervisor.
Assessment
Based on the reports, meetings with the advisor and satisfactory completion of the practicum application process, you will receive either a Pass (P) or Fail (F) grade.
| Student Learning Outcomes | Method of Assessment |
|---|
1. Gain hands-on experience by completing 100 hours in a leisure services organization. | completion of Report Form indicating tasks and corresponding number of hours |
2. Observe appropriate work habits in a professional setting. | final evaluation completed by the supervisor |
3. Demonstrate readiness for the practicum experience in your career track. | record keeping, agency evaluation and meetings with faculty advisor |
4. Discuss the application process for the Practicum with his/her advisor. | completion of Practicum Application Form and subsequent enrollment in RPLS 488 |
Policies for the Field Experience
- The Field Experience must be completed after you have declared RPLS as a major and before you are eligible to complete a practicum
- The Field Experience should not occur simultaneously with you practicum
- The Field Experience is to be completed in your junior or senior year
- You must be enrolled in RPLS 484 while completing your hours. You can not use previous experience or request credit after experience has been completed
Tips for Completing the Field Experience Successfully
- Select an agency that relates to your career interest or your emphasis area. Make this field work experience work for you! Be sure to talk with you advisor. You must have approval before you can enroll for RPLS 484 – Field Experience.
- Do not select an agency where you are currently working. This field work experience is an opportunity for you to expand and gain new insights into your chosen career.
- Once you identify an appropriate site for your field work, set a target date to make your first contact with the agency and set up an interview for that week. Don't put this off and don't assume that your contact person is sitting by the phone waiting for you to call.
- Start your field work as soon as possible so that you can spread out the 100 hours over the 15 weeks of the semester. It is recommended that you set up your hours over a minimum of 10 weeks (ex: 10 hours a week for 10 weeks).
- Don't forget to complete all the paper work required
Guidelines for the Field Experience
- Call the contact person in advance and make an appointment to discuss arrangements for your field experience hours and ways to meet your goals.
- Loyalty to the agency is essential. Be punctual and conscientious in fulfilling your duties.
- Accept supervision graciously.
- Work your scheduled hours. Always call the contact person if you cannot meet your obligation
- Have a professional attitude; maintain the standards of the agency at all times.
- Regard all information that you hear and see as confidential.
- Be dignified, courteous, and considerate.
- Take any problems, criticisms, or suggestions to the contact person (supervisor).
- Make your work of the highest quality; take pride in what you do!
- Be you best self, and have a good time!
Printable Material
[PDF] RPLS 484 Field Experience Handbook (191 KiB)
Printable Forms
These forms are included in this packet. Please follow the directions carefully. It is your responsibility to keep track of the forms at the submission dates.
