Applied Learning & Internships

Internship (Credit-Bearing or Non-Credit)

Applied learning experiences for which a student may earn academic credit in an agreed-upon, short-term, supervised workplace activity, which may be related to a student's major, field, or area of interest. The work can be full or part time, on or off campus, paid or unpaid. Some institutions offer credit and non-credit bearing internships. Internships integrate classroom knowledge and theory with practical application and skills developed in professional or community settings.

Cooperative Education

Cooperative education alternates classroom learning and productive paid work experiences in a field related to a student's academic and career goals. Co-ops are formal partnerships between an educational institution, an employer, and one or more students, and they typically provide meaningful work experiences for students. Co-ops are off-campus, and they are full or part time.

Clinical Placement

Students rotate through a variety of health care agencies with faculty supervision focusing on the health care field process, with individual patients or groups reflecting diverse settings. Emphasis is on mastering theoretical concepts, improving skill competency, and developing clinical reasoning skills with a focus on evidence-based practice.

Field Study

Collection of information outside of an experimental or lab setting. This type of data collection is most often conducted in natural settings or environments and can be designed in a variety of ways for various disciplines. May be mentored, self-directed work, or comprise a full course. The projects include inquiry, design, investigation, discovery, and application.

Practicum

A period of practical experience undertaken in academic, professional, or community settings/agencies/organizations as part of an academic course. This approach is grounded in application and practice of theoretical/technical concepts/skills and cultural competency relevant to the course or to a profession.

Internships, Co-op, Clinical Placement, Field Study, and Practicums

Many FLCC programs include an internship, co-op, clinical placement, field study, or practicum prior to graduation, including: