NB Language spoken in course is English unless only Dutch-speaking students participate
Admission requirements
N.a.
Description
The internship provides an excellent opportunity to learn about a variety of approaches and methods (e.g. observation) that are used in Child and Family Studies. The student can either participate in an ongoing research project at the department of Child and Family Studies (Research Internship) or choose a practical position at an external organization (Practical Internship). The latter should focus on the work of Child and Family Studies.
Research Internship
The student participates in an ongoing research project of the department of Child and Family Studies. Dependent on the research project, students will be involved in the recruitment of participants, the actual data collection in the lab, home setting, clinic, or child care setting under supervision of a qualified staff member.
The research internship and choice of project take place in consultation with the co-ordinator. The specific research participation tasks will be put in writing in the form of a contract.
The internship can begin at any point during the academic year, but the timing will also depend on the availability of openings in a research project and on capacity of supervisors. In many cases the internship is offered in combination with the Master’s project.
When there is a new opening for participation in a research project and there are no applications from students on file, the opening will be announced to the students via Blackboard and U-mail.
Practical internship
The activities at an external organization should focus on the work of Child and Family Studies and can involve diverse fields, such as:
training in and carrying out interventions;
planning assistance globally and team supervision;
encouraging professionalism in practical work situations;
policy
Choice of and activities within both the Research Internship and Practical Internship take place in consultation with the co-ordinator.
More information is available in the Prospectus Master’s Internship and on Blackboard.
Course objectives
The general objectives of an internship are:
Integration of knowledge and skills in research and practice previously acquired in course work, in particular in realistic work situations;
the acquisition of further relevant knowledge and skills, and insight into practical situaties in the field of work;
intensive acquaintance with a relevant field of research or work;
learning to function independently and responsibly in an organization (professional attitudes);
gaining insight into one’s own potential and limitations, both with regard to skills and with regard to personal functioning.
Achievement levels
1 Substantive knowledge
1.1 has profound knowledge of the various theories and methodological approaches common within the domain of one of the specialisations offered by the Master’s programme;
1.2 is able to analyse and conceptualise questions and problems in one of the specialisations offered by the Master’s programme;
1.3 has the capacity to identify a theoretical framework suitable for addressing problems and issues relevant for one of the specialisations offered by the Master’s programme;
1.4 has knowledge of models and methods of prevention and intervention relevant for one of the specialisations offered by the Master’s programme;
1.5 is acquainted with the professional field of the Master’s specialisation.
2 Research methods and statistics
2.1 is competent in methodological and technical research skills that are current in Education and Child Studies in general, and in the Master’s specialisation in particular;
2.2 is able to independently design, organise, and conduct research in one of the specialisations of the Masters’ programme;
2.3 is able to critically evaluate aspects of study design and methodology in empirical research.
3 Academic skills
3.1 describing and analysing practical and theoretical issues in human development from both a scientific and an ethical point of view;
3.2 analysing and evaluating scientific literature critically to establish its practical or theoretical relevance;
3.3 formulating a consistent line of reasoning, based on scientific arguments;
3.4 reporting orally and in writing on issues in human development both in an academic and in a professional context.
4 Professional conduct
4.1 connect scientific knowledge and insights to practical issues in human development;
4.2 analyse child-raising and/or educational issues and establish appropriate professional strategies;
4.3 collaborate with others and take responsibility in a professional team;
4.4 independently acquire new knowledge and insights relevant in a professional context;
4.5 reflect on his/her own learning process and substantiate choices.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
The internship is supervised by an Internship tutor of the department of Child and Family Studies and an Internship supervisor at the internship organization.
Assessment
At the end of your internship period, your internship tutor will determine your final grade. This grade is based on (1) the assessment advice of your internship supervisor, (2) the quality of the assignments you handed in and your participation in internship meetings, and (3) the quality of your internship report and/or final product. All parts should be assessed as at least satisfactory.
Blackboard
Additional information can be found on the Blackboard site of the course ‘Internship Child and Family Studies’.
Reading list
Literature to be studied depends on the actual activities, and will be made available through the researcher or internship organization.
Registration
Enrollment via the co-ordinator.
NB The exam of this course is a paper. This means that you do not have to register yourself for this exam in uSis.
Contact information
For general information on internships and advice in the search process, please contact the Internship Bureau