Independent Externship
Most externship students will receive credit through a Specialized or General Externship course. All students who are not taking a Specialized Externship course will be enrolled in the General Externship course by default. An Independent Externship is a limited opportunity that allows a student to work one-on-one with a faculty supervisor with relevant expertise for pedagogical or other programmatic reasons. For instance, the Director of a Center or Institute may choose to supervise externships required for a Center or Institute Certificate.
Student’s responsibilities
- Carefully read all information about the Independent Externship on this website and attached forms.
- Explore and find placement opportunities.
- Submit an online externship proposal using the link found in your student record.
- Ask a faculty member with relevant expertise to serve as faculty supervisor; if a faculty member with relevant expertise is not available, you are not eligible for an Independent Externship and will instead be enrolled in the General Externship course.
Online Externship Proposal
- After confirming an externship site and identifying a site supervisor, submit an online externship proposal on 12twenty
- Staff in the Career and Professional Development Office will contact the proposed site to discuss externship requirements and answer questions. Once your site has been vetted and approved, you will receive an email notification.
Written Independent Externship Education Agreement & Registration
- Online registration is not available for Independent Externships. Instead, you will submit a written Independent Externship Agreement for registration (link to template agreement below). Credit is only given for work completed after the agreement is approved.
- You are responsible for completing your own Education Agreement form, but you will need to confer with both your faculty supervisor and site supervisor to obtain all the needed information. Once the agreement is completed, initial and sign it and have both supervisors do the same. Only typed agreements will be accepted.
- Email the completed, initialed, and signed education agreement to the Externship Director and Externship Coordinator.
- Elements of an Independent Externship Agreement
Downloads and links
Independent Externship Education Agreement
MHSL-IE-Faculty-Supervisor-Guidelines 2024