The Role of Practicum in Undergraduate Family Life Education

Abstract

Behrendt discusses the incorporation of high-impact elements in the Undergraduate Human Development and Family Studies practicum experience at Indiana State University. Students must take a required practicum prior to the internship. Students spend 60 hours each at two sites and gain life span experience and professional skills through high-impact elements of diversity, authentic connections with faculty/peers/community, frequent performance feedback, and seeing the application to other settings on and off campus. During this experience, students must reflect on the experience through journaling and conduct an investigative interview of the agency as well as a professional in the field to help the student make an informed career decision.