Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences Master’s internship guidelines 1
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Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenFaculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
Master’s internship guidelines
Academic year 2014-2015
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Table of contents1. GENERAL PROVISIONS...........................................................................................................4
2. TERMINOLOGY: WHO DOES WHAT?......................................................................................4
2.1. ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP SUPERVISOR...........................................................................................................4
2.2 INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR..........................................................................................................................4
2.3 INTERNSHIP HOST..........................................................................................................................................5
2.4 INTERNSHIP MENTOR.....................................................................................................................................5
3. INTERNSHIP TYPES AND LENGTH...........................................................................................5
3.1 INTERNSHIP TYPES: MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY.......................................................................5
3.2 INTERNSHIP TYPES: MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES....................................................7
3.3 LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP................................................................................................................................7
4. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS..............................................................................................................8
4.1 PLACE IN THE MASTER’S PROGRAMME.......................................................................................................8
4.2 SCHEDULING OF EXAMS DURING THE 2ND STAGE OF THE MASTER’S PROGRAMME................................8
4.3 INITIAL SKILLS................................................................................................................................................8
4.4 PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................................8
4.5 PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................................9
4.6 EXAMINATION CONTRACT AND CREDIT CONTRACT...................................................................................10
4.7 INFORMATION AND ALLOCATION OF PLACES.............................................................................................10
4.8 SCHEDULING...............................................................................................................................................11
4.9 SCHEDULE CHANGES..................................................................................................................................12
4.11 GENERAL CLOSURE PERIODS.....................................................................................................................13
4.12 MEDICAL EVALUATION ...............................................................................................................................13
4.14 INTERNSHIPS ABROAD................................................................................................................................14
5. OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION............................................................................................15
5.1 OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................................................15
5.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA.................................................................................................................................16
5.3 EVALUATION STAGES...................................................................................................................................16
5.4 EXAM ATTEMPTS..........................................................................................................................................17
6. PROBLEMS DURING INTERNSHIPS.......................................................................................17
6.1 PROBLEMS DUE TO EXTERNAL FACTORS....................................................................................................18
6.2 PROBLEMS DUE TO LACK OF FIT BETWEEN STUDENT AND INTERNSHIP SETTING.....................................18
6.3 PROBLEMS DUE TO STUDENT-RELATED FACTORS.....................................................................................18
6.3.1 Illness during internship.....................................................................................................................18
6.3.2 (Unexpected) social problems during the internship.....................................................................19
6.3.3 Pre-existing special needs documented by Central Services.......................................................19
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6.3.4 Personal issues which have not previously been reported or certified.......................................20
6.3.5 Lack of field-specific knowledge / skills............................................................................................20
6.3.6 Lack of general professional skills.....................................................................................................21
6.3.7 Lack of work ethic................................................................................................................................21
6.3.8 Termination of the internship………………………………………………………………………………...20
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1 General provisions These regulations are only applicable insofar as they do not contradict existing or future decisions by
the Academic Council. The most recent internship provisions as well as the required forms are
available on the following website:
https://www.kuleuven.be/studentenvoorzieningen/juridischedienst/studiestage/intranet/bedrijfsstage/
overeenkomst.html
The internship agreement for mandatory internships can be found here:
http://ppw.kuleuven.be/home/studentenportaal/master/masterproef-en-stage-2013-2014/contract-
verplichte-studiestage-2013-2014.pdf
By signing the internship agreement, the student undertakes to complete the internship and to register
it in his/her ISP. If the student fails to do so, he/she will be held fully responsible and will need to redo
the internship.
2. Terminology: Who does what?
2.1. Academic internship supervisor
For each major, one or more academic internship supervisor(s) will be appointed. The internship
supervisor signs the internship agreement and is responsible for monitoring compliance with the
agreement. He/she will also assign the final grade.
2.2 Internship coordinator
In majors with a large number of students and/or where the procedure involves considerable
information, paperwork and/or coordination, the academic internship supervisor(s) may be assisted by
a member of academic or administrative staff (ZAP/ABAP/ATP) acting as internship coordinator. The
internship coordinator can provide information about the selection procedure and internship
arrangements, manage all paperwork involved (internship agreements, HSE-file, evaluation reports,
…), collect final grades and resolve scoring disagreements. However, final responsibility lies with the
academic internship supervisor. In some majors, the internship supervisor will also act as coordinator.
For an overview of internship coordinators and internship supervisors, see
http://ppw.kuleuven.be/home/studentenportaal/master/stagecoordinatoren.html
2.3 Internship host
The internship host is the person representing the institution offering the internship. This is not
necessarily the same person as the internship mentor. The internship host should ensure that the
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necessary facilities are available. If the student is absent without valid reason, the internship host
should notify the internship coordinator.
2.4 Internship mentor
The internship mentor should have at least two years’ professional experience. He/she should hold a
Licentiate/Master’s degree in Psychology or Educational Sciences. In exceptional cases, and with the
approval of the programme committee and the internship supervisor, a person without such a degree
can act as internship mentor on the basis of relevant professional expertise and/or continuing
education. In the case of a research internship or integrated internship, the internship mentor should
hold a PhD by dissertation. If a student is coached by several mentors, a chief mentor should be
appointed in order to ensure a coherent approach and to act as a primary contact person. If the
internship mentor is unable to meet his commitments due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness), a
solution should be found to ensure adequate coaching. With the approval of the Vice Dean for
Education, the supervisor of the student’s Master’s thesis can act as an internship mentor. However,
this is only possible if the type of work involved in the internship and the topic of the student’s Master’s
thesis are sufficiently distinct from one another.
3. Internship types and length
3.1 Internship types: Master of Science in Psychology
Students enrolled in the Master of Psychology programme can choose between several internship
types:
a) A professional internship consists of a work placement in a recognized practice setting.
The internship is supervised by a recognized internship host within a practice setting.
The internship will be evaluated in consultation with the internship host; final
responsibility, however, lies with the academic internship supervisor.
In major D, a professional internship will consist of a research internship in an
academic research group under the supervision of a recognized internship host from
that research group. This role cannot be undertaken by the student’s thesis
supervisor.
b) An integrated internship consists of a work placement in a practice setting, in which the intern
devotes at least 25% of his/her time to research activities. Work placement and research activities
are fully integrated and are presented as such in the overview of internship opportunities, If the
internship host supervising the student in the practice setting is not the person supervising the
student’s research activities, both should consult with each other in advance to ensure integration
and transfer between both components of the internship.
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As in a purely professional internship, the professional component of the internship
will be supervised by an internship host in the practice setting. The research
component will be supervised by a PhD holder (affiliated either with the practice
setting or with the Faculty), who must not be the supervisor of the student’s Master’s
thesis.
The internship will be evaluated in consultation with the internship host(s) who
supervised the student’s work placement and research activities; final responsibility,
however, lies with the academic internship supervisor. If the latter is also the person
supervising the research component of the internship, the student should be assessed
by another member of senior academic staff. The research component will account for
at least 25% of the student’s overall score.
In Major D, an integrated internship consists of a research internship carried out in an
academic research group, supervised by an internship host who is a member of that
research group, and for which data are at least partially collected within a practice
setting. This setting will be selected by the researcher of the research group offering
the internship. The intern will spend 25% to 35% of the total time on activities within
this practice setting. The student’s research activities will be supervised by a
recognized internship host from the research group offering the internship, who must
not be the student’s thesis supervisor. The work placement component will be
supervised by a recognized internship host within the practice setting. The internship
will be evaluated in consultation with the internship host(s) who supervised the
student’s work placement and research activities; final responsibility lies with the
academic internship supervisor. If the latter is also the person supervising the
research component of the internship, the student should be assessed by another
member of senior academic staff. The research component and the work placement
account for 75% and 25%, respectively, of the student’s overall score.
Students in Major D wishing to undertake an integrated internship should discuss with
the work placement mentor which core courses from Major A, B or C they should take,
depending on the focus of the practical component.
c) In the teaching practice internship, course module O0A03A, Teaching Practice Orientation: the
Teacher of Behavioural and Social Sciences as Innovator and Researcher (6 credits), is combined
with a professional internship as described above for a period amounting to 24 weeks (22 four-day
internship weeks plus the equivalent of 2 internship weeks spent on coaching sessions and writing
the internship report. This type can only be chosen by students in Major B.
3.2 Internship types: Master of Science in Educational Sciences
Students enrolled in the Master of Educational Sciences programme can choose between two
internship types:
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a) Students can opt for a work placement in a department, organisation, (educational)
institution, company or government office (e.g. cabinet, administrative department, advisory
council or umbrella organisation) where the student participates in diagnostic, coaching,
research and/or managerial activities. Such a work placement can also include a research
component, but as the internship is not conducted at a research institution, research is not the
core activity.
b) Students can also do a research internship at one of the centres of the Research Unit for
Educational Sciences or at another Belgian or foreign institution for academic research.
3.3 Length of internship
a) Master of Science in Psychology
In majors A and B, the internship is worth 30 credits; it comprises 28 four-day weeks and the
equivalent of two weeks for coaching sessions and for writing an internship report. In major C, the
internship is worth 32 credits and consists of 32 four-day weeks, one of which is spent on coaching
sessions. In major D, the internship is worth 30 credits and consists of 30 five-day weeks. During this
period, the intern is allowed sufficient time to complete courses from the second stage of the Master’s
programme.
b) Master of Science in Psychology (accelerated programme) (60 credits.)
It is recommended that students in the accelerated Master of Science in Psychology programme
complete a comparable number of internship days as in the regular programme, with a minimum of
100 days (so as not to jeopardize recognition of the internship by professional associations). The
internship is full-time (5 days / week). In consultation with the internship host, interns can arrange to
have a number of days off in the second semester to attend lectures or to study for exams.
c) Master of Science in Educational Sciences
The work placement or the research internship takes 16 weeks, except in the Remedial Education
major, where a work placement takes 20 weeks, while a research internship takes 16 weeks. In the
Master of Science in Educational Sciences programme, internships comprise a minimum of 36
hours/week, complemented by the time required for writing an internship report. An internship week
consists of 5 days, comprising evaluations and case studies (to be scheduled in due course).
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4. Specific provisions
4.1 Place in the Master’s programme
The internships in the Master of Science in Psychology and the Master of Science in Educational
Sciences are linked to the student’s major/electives and take place in the 2nd stage of the Master’s
programme.
4.2 Scheduling of exams during the 2nd stage of the Master’s programme
For students taking the model route for the second stage of the Master’s programme, no exams will be
scheduled during the first examination period. However, this only applies to courses supervised by the
Master of Psychology and/or Educational Sciences programme committees: if students take electives
with an exam scheduled during the first examination period, they will be expected to take these exams
in this period. Students will need to make the necessary arrangements with the internship host, as
exams cannot be rescheduled due to the internship.
4.3 Initial skills
Students are expected to have both basic and more specialised knowledge of their chosen field. More
specific requirements can be found in the relevant ECTS course descriptions:
Master of Science in Psychology:http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51016814.htm
Master of Science in Psychology (accelerated programme) (60 credits): http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51553551.htm
Master of Science in Educational Scienceshttp://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/2013/opleidingen/n/SC_51550668.htm
4.4 Prerequisite requirements
a) In general
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Holding an academic Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a certificate from the bridging programme to
the M.Sc. in Psychology is a strict prerequisite to the internship in the Master of Science in Psychology
programme. Holding an academic Bachelor’s degree in educational sciences or in educational studies,
or a certificate from the bridging or preparatory programme leading to the M.Sc in Educational
Sciences or Educational Studies is a strict prerequisite to the internship in the Master of Science in
Educational Sciences programme.
Holding an academic Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Educational Sciences/Educational/Studies or
from an equivalent bridging programme is a prerequisite for starting the internship selection procedure
in the first selection round. Students who have not yet satisfied these conditions by the start of the
Master’s programme can take part in the fast-track procedure at a later stage (see 4.7).
b) By major
Specific prerequisite requirements can be found in the ECTS course desciptions.
Master of Science in Psychology:http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51016814.htm
Master of Science in Psychology (accelerated programme) (60 credits): http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51553551.htm
Master of Science in Educational Scienceshttp://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/2013/opleidingen/n/SC_51550668.htm
4.5 Progression requirements
Students can only start their internship when all prerequisite and progression requirements have been
met. These can be found in the ECTS course descriptions.
Master of Science in Psychology:http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51016814.htm
Master of Science in Psychology (accelerated programme) (60 credits): http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51553551.htm
Master of Science in Educational Scienceshttp://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/2013/opleidingen/n/SC_51550668.htm
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4.6 Examination contract and credit contract
Under the Faculty’s Educational Regulation, students cannot complete an internship via a credit
contract or examination contract.
4.7 Information and allocation of places
a) In general
Within each major, a list of internship opportunities will be made available. Exceptionally, students will
be allowed to propose an internship at an organisation of their own choice – through a procedure
specific to each major. More information will be provided during the introductory information session,
to be held separately for each major. Students who have proposed an internship organization will have
priority over other students for this position, which initially will not be included in the lottery system. If
this internship is favourably rated, it can be included in the list of internship opportunities during the
next academic year and made available to all prospective interns. The university will ensure that each
students is able to secure an internship. If the student refuses the internship offered to him/her,
he/she will automatically be referred to the fast-track procedure. In this procedure, the number of
internships on offer is more limited.
b) Master of Science in Psychology/Master of Science in Educational Sciences (120 credits)
In the academic year preceding the internship, the student should take the following steps:
- he/she should attend the introductory information session organised for their major during the first
weeks of the academic year preceding the internship.
- the selection procedure starts after the close of ISP registration in the first semester. The topic and
design of the Master’s thesis should be clearly distinct from the focus and activities of the internship.
Exceptions can only be made subject to approval by the Vice Dean for Education, if necessary after
consultation with the programme director.
- internship places must be assigned by 15 April. If this deadline is not met, the student will be referred
to the fast-track procedure.
- all internship documents must be finalized by 30 June . By this time, each student should at least
have been assigned to an internship site. Exceptionally, and with the approval of the internship
coordinator, the student’s internship plan may not yet have been worked out in detail at this stage. If
the internship documents have not been completed, it will not be possible to start an internship that
was assigned during the first round in the following academic year.
c) Master of Science in Psychology, accelerated programme (60 credits)
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Internship places will be assigned during the first semester of the year in which the internship will take
place. Students should contact the internship coordinator no later than the first week of the academic
year.
d) Fast-track procedure
In certain cases, students can be assigned an internship via the fast-track procedure but this is only
possible if the internship coordinators are notified well in advance. Students should be aware that
internship opportunities will be more limited at this stage.
4.8 Scheduling
a) Master of Science in Psychology
The internship takes place in the first and second semester of the second stage of the Master of
Science in Psychology programme. Mondays should be reserved for lectures (except in major D). The
actual internship weeks should be scheduled between 15 August of the year in which the internship
takes place and the June exam revision period in the subsequent academic year. In principle, the
internship can be assessed during the June exam period. The internship period should be specified in
the internship agreement.
b) Master of Science in Psychology (accelerated programme) (60 sp.)
The internship takes place in the first and second semester. In the first semester, the selection
procedure is completed, and in the second semester students do the internship. In all majors, the
actual internship weeks should be scheduled between the student’s final exam in the first examination
period and 15 August. For students in the accelerated Master’s programme, the internship can only be
assessed during the September examination period. Students spreading this programme over two
academic years and doing their internship in the second year can start their internship from 15 August
onwards.
c) Master of Science in Educational Sciences
The work placement or research internship takes place in the first semester of the second stage of the
Master’s programme. The actual internship weeks should be scheduled between 15 August and the
end of the January exam period. The internship period should be specified in the internship
agreement.
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d) Uniform provisions
Any exceptions regarding the start date or the length of the Master’s internship can only be granted by
the Vice Dean for Education with the agreement of all involved (internship host and internship
coordinator). All changes will be specified in the internship agreement. Under no circumstances will
students be permitted to start the internship before the end of the June exam period of the previous
academic year.
Students taking exams during the September exam period are not permitted to request changes to
their exam schedule because of a scheduling conflict with their internship. It is therefore recommended
that these students should not start their internship until after the exam period.
Although, in principle, the Master’s thesis or internship covers two semesters, the Faculty may decide
that it will be assessed after the first semester for certain categories of students, for instance for
students eligible to graduate who only need to complete their Master’s thesis or internship. Subject to
approval by the Vice Dean for Education in consultation with the academic internship supervisor,
students intending to graduate in January can take part in the first exam period instead of the second
exam period. This will be specified in the internship agreement. Requests for early participation in
final exams should be made to the head of the Faculty’s Student Administration Office by 1
December.
4.9 Schedule changes
Accommodations to the internship schedule can only be made for students registered with the Service
for Students with Disabilities (CSFB). Other students are not allowed to spread the internship over two
academic years; they should complete this module in a single period within one academic year.
For students registered with the CSFB, the following rule applies: the internship can only be spread
over a longer period under certain circumstances and conditions (a) the internship should be carried
out at a single institution and (b) it should be completed within one academic year. All arrangements
should be specified in the internship agreement. For students intending to graduate in the second
academic year, the internship agreement should also specify whether and under which conditions they
will be eligible to receive a final score for their internship during the January examination period.
Students who may have special needs requiring accommodations to the internship schedule should
contact the CSFB disability officer as soon as possible. They can also be referred to the appropriate
contact person at the Faculty’s Education Support and Student Counselling Service (DOS) by the
internship coordinator.
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4.10 Part-time internshipsPart-time internships are not allowed. No exceptions will be made for working students.
4.11 General closure periods
For students in the Master of Psychology programme, general closure periods (e.g. company closure
days in major A, school holidays in major B, …) do not count towards internship requirements.
Students in the Master of Educational Sciences programme may be given off-site assignments during
such closure periods (maximum 1 week).
4.12 Medical evaluation and HSE
All students majoring in remedial education or clinical and health psychology should undergo medical
evaluation prior to their internship.
The HSE file specifies any risks that students may face during their studies and the monitoring that is
required (health surveillance, personal protective equipment).
The HSE file for each programme can be found here:
https://admin.kuleuven.be/sab/vgm/studenten/VGMdossier/faculteitpsychologischeenpedagogischewet
enschappen
The HSE file is added to the internship agreement.
The internship agreement should state that it is assumed that the internship does not pose any
additional risks to those identified in the HSE file.
If any additional risks are present, the internship host should indicate in the HSE file that vaccination or
additional medical check-ups are required. The student should inform his/her internship coordinator.
Further medical follow-up will be decided on in consultation between the Faculty, the HSE department
and IDEWE. Medical evaluation can be carried out by IDEWE. Students who have undergone medical
evaluation will be provided with a form that should also be added to their HSE file.
The medical certificate is valid during the entire Bachelor’s and Master’s programme.
4.13 The Master’s internship is unpaid
In order to guarantee the objectivity of the mentor and assessor and to ensure equal treatment of
students, internships are always unpaid. No exceptions will be allowed.
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4.14 Internships abroad
It may be possible to do an internship abroad (either the whole internship or part of this period,
depending on the student’s major) if this is approved by the academic internship supervisor. For
questions relating to a specific internship abroad, the Faculty suggests that internship proposals
should be submitted to the programme committee prior to approval.
For more information, see:
https://ppw.kuleuven.be/home/studentenportaal/erasmus/stage-in-het-buitenland
Students planning to travel abroad in the context of their internship (even if only for one day or to a
neighbouring country) should submit an application via KU Loket > ‘Study period abroad’. After review
by the International Office, the application will be sent to the Faculty’s Student Administration Office.
For more information, click the following link:
https://ppw.kuleuven.be/home/studentenportaal/internationalisation/naar-het-buitenland
For any questions, please contact Heleen Hendrix ([email protected]).
HSE files for the various majors can be found on the following page:
https://ppw.kuleuven.be/home/studentenportaal/internationalisation/documentenaanvraag
4.15 Applying for exemption
Students who believe they are eligible to be exempted from the internship requirement should submit
a hard-copy application by the third Wednesday of the academic year preceding the Master’s
internship. During the academic year in which the internship is to be completed, the application can
be registered electronically in the student’s ISP.
More detailed information on exemptions can be found here:
http://ppw.kuleuven.be/home/studentenportaal/programma/vrijstellingen/vrijstellingen.html
5. Objectives and evaluation
5.1 Objectives
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The Master’s internship has the following general objectives:
1. The student will experience and reflect on a concrete educational / psychological context
(practice, management and/or research) in which educational studies / psychology graduates
can assume responsibilities as academically trained professionals and will become familiar
with the professional challenges they may face. He should be able to communicate and report
on these experiences.
2. Adopting a scientific approach and making use of research, theoretical insights and frames of
reference in a critical reflective way, the student is able to analyse problems encountered in a
practice or managerial context (e.g. assessment, diagnosis) and to provide interventions or
support. Conversely, he should be able to distil knowledge from practice or managerial
contexts. In the case of a research internship at a research centre, he should be able to
contribute to the development knowledge in this specific field.
3. The student will be able to take on a professional role - within the specific context of an
organisation and in keeping with professional standards. Basing decisions on scientific
evidence, he will be accountable to clients / participants, the organisation and its
management.
4. The student will also start developing a professional identity, enabling him to make well-
founded career choices. He will be expected to continue to develop this identity in a process of
lifelong and lifewide learning.
More specific objectives are to be found in the ECTS course descriptions of the relevant courses.
Master of Science in Psychology:http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51016814.htm
Master of Science in Psychology (accelerated programme) (60 sp): http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/n/SC_51553551.htm
Master of Science in Educational Scienceshttp://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/2013/opleidingen/n/SC_51550668.htm
5.2 Evaluation criteria
Below is a list of 13 evaluation criteria that will be considered in assigning a final grade:
Personal commitment and involvement
Independent work and initiative
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Well-organised approach to the planning and completion of tasks (incl. preparation
and careful execution)
Insight into the mission, the structure and day-to-day operations of the internship
organization
Understanding of the topics, problems and target groups dealt with
Being able to provide adequate interventions on the basis of insights into
psychological processes
Relationship skills and ability to collaborate (with colleagues, staff, management,
internship mentor, teams, …)
Professional interaction with participants / clients / pupils / students / children /
employees / research participants
Organisational and psychological skills (planning and programming; presenting and
communicating; working in groups, conversational skills; reporting and critical
reflection)
Expertise in designing and conducting research (in the broad sense), and in analyzing
and reporting results
Creative contribution to the work of the internship organisation
Strong focus on innovation and improvement, as well as on professional development
and lifelong learning
Professional attitude and professional conduct
5.3 Evaluation stages
In addition to the final evaluation, every intern is entitled to two interim evaluations at reasonable time
intervals. During these evaluation meetings, the internship mentor will give feedback on the intern’s
performance and identify areas for improvement and additional objectives. The intern is to write a
report on the outcomes of this meeting. The report should be signed by both the intern and the
internship mentor and sent to the internship coordinator. The student should keep a copy of the report.
The report can also be sent electronically to the internship coordinator, with cc to the internship
mentor. The e-mail should state that if the internship mentor disagrees with the student’s report of the
meeting, he should inform the student without delay. If serious performance issues arise, it is the
responsibility of both the intern and the internship mentor to inform the internship coordinator of these
problems in time. If necessary, a meeting should be organised between the student, the internship
mentor and the internship coordinator to discuss the problems and to develop an action plan for
improvement. A report of this meeting should be drawn up (by the intern or by the internship
coordinator) and either signed by all three parties or sent electronically to each of them. The e-mail
should state that failure to respond will be taken as agreement with the content of the report. If the
parties fail to reach agreement, the report should mention that a copy will be sent to the Ombuds
Service. If the problem is not resolved, the education ombudsperson will be informed.
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After completion of the internship, the final, summative evaluation will be conducted with a view to
assigning a final score. Input from the following parties will be taken into consideration: intern,
internship mentor, internship coordinator and academic internship supervisor. During the meeting, the
student will be given qualitative feedback rather than a score. The final score is awarded by the
academic internship supervisor on the basis of the internship, the internship report and the discussion
of this report with the internship mentor. The final score will not be released to the intern, the internship
mentor or the internship host prior to the examiners’ meeting.
It the student decides to discontinue the internship, he/she should notify the internship mentor and the
internship coordinator in writing (signed hard copy or by e-mail to one of these addressees. Following
this notification, a final performance review can take place at the request of the intern, the internship
mentor or the internship supervisor at the request.
5.4 Exam attempts
It is not possible to redo the internship within the same academic year. Exceptions will only be made
for target group students. All exceptions should be included in the internship agreement after
consultation with the student, the internship supervisor and the internship mentor.
6. Problems during internships
Problems may occur during internships for various reasons. Below an overview is given of possible
problems and the procedures to be followed.
6.1 Problems due to external factors
Due to workplace reorganization, the intern may be unable to carry out the duties assigned to him/her
or may not receive the support that was agreed. If this is the case, either the student or the internship
host should inform the internship coordinator as possible. The internship organization should offer a
solution, for instance by modifying the intern’s duties or by assigning a different internship mentor. No
changes will be made to the internship agreement. Students can only change internships if they are
doing their internship at a one-man organization, where it may be impossible to implement the
necessary changes. In this case, the internship coordinator/academic internship supervisor will
arrange a solution. The student can choose a new internship position from a list of internship
opportunities or will be assigned a new position. A new internship agreement will need to be drawn up.
If a new internship can be arranged within one week, the student will not need to work additional days.
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6.2 Problems due to lack of fit between student and internship setting
Problems may also arise if intern and internship mentor do not get along, if activities do not
correspond to the intern’s expectations, or if the intern does not feel at home in the organization. If
such problems occur, either the intern or the internship host should inform the internship coordinator
as soon as possible. Concerns can be raised at any time, but also during an evaluation meeting. If
there is a mismatch between intern and internship mentor, it may exceptionally be possible to change
internship sites after consultation with the internship coordinator provided that the problems have been
reported by the first interim evaluation meeting. After this meeting, it is no longer possible to change
internship sites.
6.3 Problems due to student-related factors
6.3.1 Illness during internship
Within all types of internship, interns are only allowed four sick leave days over the course of the
internship. If the intern is absent due to illness for more than four days, he/she should make up these
days within the agreed internship period up to a maximum of 15 work days. The original doctor’s note
should be submitted to the internship host, with a copy to the internship coordinator. If the sick leave
exceeds 15 working days, the internship agreement will be reviewed with the following three parties:
the student, the internship host and the internship coordinator.
6.3.2 (Unexpected) social problems during the internship
a) Admission of a family member to the (client-centered) internship site
If a family member is admitted to the treatment facility, the student or the internship host should inform
the internship coordinator. As the needs of the patient/client take priority, the intern will be required to
leave the internship site. The internship coordinator will arrange a new placement and a new
internship agreement will be drawn up.
b) Employment of the intern at the internship site
If the student is working (or used to work) at the internship site, he/she should inform the internship
coordinator at the start of the internship selection procedure. In order to avoid conflicts of interest in
evaluation, interns are not allowed to do an internship at their place of employment, even if it is unpaid.
Relevant work experience can only be taken into account via a Recognition of Prior Learning
procedure.
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6.3.3 Pre-existing special needs documented by Central Services
Accommodations for individual needs can only be provided for students with disabilities who are
registered with the Service for Students with Disabilities (CSFB).
Students wishing to discuss possible accommodations should contact the internship coordinator at the
start of the internship selection procedure. Accommodations can only be provided after consultation
between the internship host, the student and the academic internship supervisor and should be
specified in the internship agreement, in an appendix or separate section. In arranging these
accommodations, both the student and the internship coordinator / academic internship supervisor can
seek advice from the examination ombudsperson and the disability officer of the Service for Students
with Disabilities.
All accommodations (due to disabilities or special individual circumstances) should be described in the
internship agreement and communicated to the examination ombudsperson by the academic
internship supervisor. If these provisions are subsequently amended or made more specific, the
changes will only take effect after written confirmation by all parties: the student, the internship host
and the internship supervisor. In the case of students with disabilities, these additional provisions
should also be forwarded to the examination ombudsperson.
In the event of prolonged absence during the internship or if the student has to terminate the internship
due to unforeseen circumstances, a revised version of the internship agreement will be drawn up after
consultation with the academic internship supervisor. A copy of these new arrangements will be
forwarded to the examination ombudsperson by the academic internship supervisor.
The student can contact the DOS contact person or the CSFB disability officer for counselling and
referral .
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6.3.4 Personal issues which have not previously been reported or certified
Some students may have difficulties communicating with clients or team members, or may show signs
of alcohol or substance abuse on a regular basis. Such problems cannot simply be regarded as a lack
of field-specific, programme-related skills which the student still needs to acquire. Hence, the
internship mentor should discuss these issues with the student and the internship coordinator should
be informed either by the internship mentor or by the student himself. The internship coordinator
should check with the contact persons responsible for the identification and support of students
experiencing problems during their studies or internship whether they have already counselled the
student prior to the internship. For students enrolled in the first two years of the Bachelor’s
programme, the education ombudsperson acts as a contact. From the third year of the Bachelor’s
programme onwards, any problems should be reported to the academic internship supervisor.
Subsequently, a meeting should be set up between the intern and the internship coordinator, and – if
necessary - the internship mentor. The report of this meeting should either be signed by all parties or
sent electronically to all parties. The report should identify the problem areas and make suggestions
for improvement and follow-up steps. If the meeting is not constructive, commitments are not
honoured or no improvement is shown, the education ombudsperson can be informed.
6.3.5 Lack of field-specific knowledge / skills
If the student lacks essential field-specific knowledge or skills, both the student and the internship
mentor can bring this problem to the attention of the internship coordinator. A meeting between (at
least) the internship host and the intern should be scheduled as soon as possible in order to identify
areas for improvement and agree on a step-by-step action plan. The intern is expected to write a
report on the outcome of the meeting (either on paper or electronically) and to send this to the
internship coordinator with cc to the internship host (for approval). In some cases, the internship
organization will make a number of changes to the intern’s duties to enable him to remedy or bypass
these deficiencies. Such changes should be discussed with the internship coordinator in advance and
the implications for the student’s final score should also be highlighted. If these meetings are not
constructive, commitments are not honoured or no improvement is shown, the education
ombudsperson can be consulted.
6.3.6 Lack of general professional skills
If the student lacks the necessary professional skills, either the student, the internship mentor or the
internship coordinator himself should request that a meeting be held. As a lack of skills often only
becomes apparent during or after the first interim evaluation, it is important that a meeting between (at
least) the internship host and the intern is scheduled as soon as possible in order to identify areas for
improvement and agree on a step-by-step action plan. The intern writes a report of the meeting (in
hard copy or electronically) and sends this to the internship coordinator with cc to the internship host
(for approval). In some cases, the internship host may decide to make changes to the intern’s duties
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and responsibilities to enable him to remedy or bypass these deficiencies. These changes – and their
implications for the student’s final score – should be discussed with the internship coordinator in
advance. If these meetings are not constructive, commitments are not honoured or no improvement is
shown, the education ombudsperson can be consulted. In addition, the student may also be referred
to the appropriate DO counsellor (contact person) for specialised referral, e.g. Psychotherapy Centre,
Study Advice Centre, social skills training, Academic Dutch course, IT skills course.
6.3.7 Lack of work ethic
If the student does not have an appropriate work attitude, the internship coordinator should be
informed either by the internship mentor or by the student himself. A meeting may also be requested
by the internship coordinator. The internship mentor and/or the internship coordinator will invite the
student to a meeting at which areas for improvement will be identified. The intern will write a report on
the outcome of the meeting and send this to the internship coordinator for approval with cc to the
internship host (for approval). If this meeting is not constructive or fails to result in any improvement,
the education ombudsperson can be consulted.
6.3.8 Termination of the internship
If the student fails to comply with the requirements set out in the internship agreement or endangers
himself or others during the internship, the “Refusal to attend or complete a course module” clause of
the Teaching and Examination Regulations will be applied. Depending on the specific circumstances,
the student may be barred from completing the internship.
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