Policy Statement for Undergraduate Interns Who Are Terminated from Their Internships
As an HPA student at Penn State, we recognize that not all internship experiences may proceed as planned. Students may not be able to complete their internship due to illness, death of a close relative, etc. However, in cases where an undergraduate intern is terminated from their internship for a serious breach of professional conduct, the following policy will apply to ensure a constructive path forward for the student.
1. Preceptor and Internship Coordinator Meeting: The HPA program requests preceptors contact internship coordinators before ending an internship prematurely. This meeting is essential for evaluating the circumstances and rationale for ending the internship prematurely (i.e. is the student unable to complete the internship due to personal circumstances or is the student being terminated for cause) and for determining the next steps in the student’s academic and professional development.
2. Termination of Internship: If an intern is terminated from their internship for reasons such as not following professional conduct, failing to show up to internship or not producing expectations, the student will receive a failing grade and is expected to immediately notify their academic advisor. The student is to also contact one of the internship coordinators and arrange for meeting to discuss the reasons for the termination and a course of action to increase the possibility for student success.
3. Individualized Course of Action: The meeting with the internship coordinator will lead to the development of an individualized course of action to ensure the student’s academic success. This may involve a future HPA 395 internship placement, additional academic work, an alternative professional experience, or additional training in areas identified during the discussion.
4. HPA 496 – Internship Alternative: During the meeting, the internship coordinator will work with the student to explore appropriate options for continuing their academic progress. One of these options may include enrolling in HPA 496 – Independent Study, where the student can engage in a tailored learning experience to meet the academic requirements of the internship course. The content and focus of the independent study will be developed on an individual basis, addressing the student’s specific goals, needs, and professional development.
5. Finalizing the Plan: Once a course of action is determined, the student and internship coordinator will finalize the necessary steps, including any required paperwork, registration for HPA 496, and any additional requirements or deadlines. The goal is to provide the student with a constructive and tailored plan to successfully complete their internship requirement or pursue alternative academic progress. The internship coordinator will then inform the student’s academic advisor that HPA 496 will substitute for HPA 395 on gthe student’s graduation audit.
This policy is designed to ensure that students who end their internships prematurely or who are terminated from their internship with cause are supported in moving forward with their education and professional development in a productive and individualized manner.
For any questions or assistance, please contact your internship coordinator or your academic advisor.
Michelle Pittman, mxp99@psu.edu, All Commonwealth Campuses
Amy Thul, ast144@psu.edu, World Campus and University Park
Christina Daley, cxd249@psu.edu, University Park
