Practicum Guidebook
Practicum Courses
Academic practicum courses offer significant academic benefits that are unavailable in the typical course curriculum. The purpose of the Practicum is to afford students opportunities to observe and learn professionalism in supportive, “real world” settings. Students will also experience how concepts and theories are applied in actual work situations.
This Practicum Guidebook applies to the following courses
- BUSA 490 Administrative Practicum
- APSC 490 Senior Practicum
- CYBR 490 Senior Practicum
Capstone Requirement
Practicum courses an option to complete the UH West O‘ahu Capstone Graduation Requirement. A capstone course is the culminating scholastic effort and experience that asks students to incorporate the terms and concepts learned in their various classes to demonstrate their understanding of business theory and practice. Capstone courses are a graduation requirement for UH West O‘ahu; all students are required to complete a capstone course in order to graduate.
To receive credit, students must be officially registered for the practicum course during the semester in which they complete the internship hours. The required minimum 120 hours may not begin until the first day of the term and must be completed by the last day of instruction for the term.
UH West O‘ahu will not grant retroactive internship credit (e.g., you complete an internship but weren’t registered for the course).
Learning Objectives
The goal of a practicum course is to allow students the opportunity to gain experience within the workforce and apply the theories and concepts learned in the respective program. Students will then reflect on and report on their experiences using their understanding of said ideas and practices.
Expected learning outcomes include demonstrating written communication skills; demonstrate quantitative, technological, and analytical skills necessary for problem solving; and identifying ethical and legal issues of organizations and society.
Site Supervisor communications with the Capstone Coordinator primarily consist of evaluations. Subjects concerning students’ performance, attendance, or professionalism should be addressed promptly to the Capstone Coordinator and may be shared with the Practicum Course Instructor.
Questions or inquiries concerning capstone practicum may be directed to uhwobusa@hawaii.edu.
Students can work in a variety of business and professional organizations. Practicum internships are subject to approval by the Practicum Instructor through the Practicum Proposal Process, facilitated by the Capstone Coordinator. Instructors consider the tasks and responsibilities and how they relate to the student’s concentration area of study.
Students must confirm a Practicum Site by submitting a Site Affiliation Agreement form and a Student Practicum Agreement form by the first day of the semester.
Compensation
Financial compensation for the practicum, if available, is a matter to be negotiated between the student intern and the site supervisor and/or organization. The possibility of compensation is not a consideration in the approval of the practicum. In most cases, practicum internships may be unpaid.
Students are expected to coordinate with their Site Supervisor on the completion of the Site Affiliation Agreement form. It is also the student’s responsibility to keep the Instructor and Capstone Coordinator updated if there are any changes related to the site supervisor and contact information.
Students should meet with the site supervisor and discuss outcomes for the semester based on the position description.
Students are responsible for scheduling and keeping track of their hours and to arrange for at least 120 hours of work at the practicum site or with the practicum organization over the course of the semester. The required minimum 120 hours may not begin until the first day of scheduled classes and must be completed by the last day of instruction for the semester.
Students are welcome to work additional hours, schedules permitting. Regular attendance is required, and work hours and days are subject to being worked out between the Site Supervisor(s) and the student. Arrangements regarding start and end dates, days and hours of service, and assignments are flexible to enable the student interns to accomplish the goals of the practicum.
Practicum Coursework
Throughout the semester, students must also complete the BUSA/APSC/CYBR 490 coursework as assigned by the instructor. Coursework may include, but is not limited to, written assignments, reports, class meetings, and presentations. Each practicum course instructor will provide more, detailed information about assignments and expectations in the course syllabus.
Professionalism
An important component of the practicum is practicing appropriate professional behavior in the workplace. As such, students are expected to function as a professional at all times and are responsible for the activities and work described in the description provided.
Examples of professional behavior include:
- Dressing professionally
- Arriving and departing at agreed-upon hours
- Being respectful to supervisor and coworkers (e.g., not engaging in gossip)
- Using professional language
- Being prepared for assignments and meeting project deadlines
- Informing Site Supervisor of anticipated absences or delays in arrival
- Maintaining confidentiality
Students should demonstrate the standard of behavior expected of other employees in the organization, including compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures. This will be evaluated by the Site Supervisor as discussed in the evaluations, and indirectly by the Instructor and/or Capstone Coordinator.
Site Supervisors are advised of the importance of the educational objectives of the Practicum course. Site supervisors commit to working closely with students and are required to know and commit to the academic learning objectives of practicums. In this regard, Site Supervisors are encouraged to allow students to do substantive, entry-level or higher type of work. Site Supervisors are also encouraged to give students an educational yet reasonable amount of responsibility.
Site Supervisors must also complete evaluations: a mid-term evaluation and a final evaluation at the end of the semester. These evaluations will be sent directly to the supervisors. Evaluations may be used to advise the Student Intern on how they can improve within the workplace. The primary goal of the evaluation is to assure that the students have been diligent in attendance and commitment.
Other than evaluations, Site Supervisors are encouraged to expose students to appropriate, real life industry experiences, including attendance at company and client meetings, strategy and planning sessions, and one-on-one guidance and mentoring. Students’ exposure to, observation of, and participation in the substantive work of the practicum site are an invaluable experience. They see and hear the work, learn the processes, procedures, and techniques through the example of the site supervisors and those they interact with.
Practicum Site and Safety Precautions
The UH West O‘ahu cannot guarantee the safety of practicum sites. While at the practicum site, students should take normal precautions to assure their own safety. Should you be asked to do something that you deem unsafe during a practicum experience, or if you believe that conditions at a practicum site are unsafe, students should immediately report any such safety concerns to your Site Supervisor and the instructor or Capstone Coordinator.
Student Code of Conduct
UH West O‘ahu supports a positive educational environment that will benefit student success. In order to ensure this vision, UH West O‘ahu has established the UH West O‘ahu Student Code of Conduct to ensure the protection of student rights and the health and safety of the UH West O‘ahu community, as well as to support the efficient operation of all UH West O‘ahu programs. All currently enrolled students at UH West O‘ahu are required to abide by UH West O‘ahu’s Student Code of Conduct. A copy of the most current Student Code is available on UH West O‘ahu’s website.