Internships

Expected Learning Objectives and Outcomes

The internship is designed to be a culminating experience in which you have the opportunity to put into practice what you have learned throughout your fitness courses. It is also designed to be an opportunity to gain experience in the specific area of interest for each individual student. Therefore, some of the expected learning experiences/outcomes from the internship include, but are not limited to:

Demonstrate the use of health and fitness field and laboratory instruments, techniques, procedures and equipment
Demonstrate the ability to administer appropriate test protocols for evaluating the components of physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.)
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and interpret exercise-testing results
Demonstrate the ability to develop individualized exercise prescriptions, which are based upon exercise test results including modality, intensity, frequency, and duration.
Develop the ability to describe and develop an exercise prescription plan, which encompasses the initial prescription, the maintenance of that prescription and re-evaluation strategies
Demonstrate leadership incorporating methods in aerobic exercise, strength conditioning and joint flexibility
Demonstrate the ability to implement an exercise prescription
Demonstrate personal and teaching methods in lifetime fitness activities such as: skill in walking/jogging, cycling, swimming, aerobic dance, exercise techniques, cardiovascular fitness equipment, strength training, stretching, and racquet sports

Finding a Site

Many Fitness majors find an internship site from a listing of sites of previous students. Others use Internet searches, telephone directories, and/or listings from professional organizations. Once you find a site that appeals to you, obtain approval to work at that site through the Fitness Program Director. This approval must be granted prior to your registration for the internship.