Academic Requirements
At the UNH College of Professional Studies, our community is comprised of working adult students so we design our degree programs to integrate with your career and goals. This is accomplished through a concept called Field-Based Experiential Learning, which are learning opportunities that take place outside of the traditional classroom, providing you with direct exposure to your field of study. These experiences vary in type, level, duration, and number of academic credits awarded. Typically, internship opportunities require 80 total hours per term and practicum opportunities require 25 total hours per term.
start experiential learning application
Getting Started
The process of getting started will differ from typical course registration protocol. You’ll want to plan up to one term ahead for practicum or internship, and up to two terms ahead for an Integrative Capstone. In addition, approval by Academic Affairs is required based on student’s academic plan and history.
Here’s a brief preview of the step-by-step process.
Meet with Your Advisor
Discuss which field-based option is most appropriate for your degree plan at this stage. Below, you can view our field-based experiential learning FAQs.
Find and Secure a Host Site
A host site is a location where your field-based experiential learning will be completed. Research options that meet your goals and reflect the field-based experiential learning guidelines. At the UNH College of Professional Studies, field-based experiential learning applications are required, and must be completed and approved prior to course registration. Students may complete and submit their experiential learning agreement within the Experiential Learning Application.
NOTE: Before starting this application, students are advised to have their Host Site information handy for reference while completing this form.
Need Help Finding a Host Site?
Use Handshake in your search. Handshake is a repository of jobs and internships posted by employers interested in hiring UNH CPS students.
Finalize Your Course Registration
When your application is fully approved by Academic Affairs, work with your advisor to finalize your registration and prepare for the start of your field-based experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Term 2024
Semester Start: May 20, 2024
FBEL-ELA Deadline: April 19, 2024
Fall Term 2024
Semester Start: August 26, 2024
FBEL-ELA Deadline: July 26, 2024
Spring Term 2025
Semester Start: January 21, 2025
FBEL-ELA Deadline: December 20, 2024
Summer Term 2025
Semester Start: May 20, 2025
FBEL-ELA Deadline: April 18, 2025
Fall Term 2025
Semester Start: August 25, 2025
FBEL-ELA Deadline: July 25, 2025
Spring Term 2026
Semester Start: January 20, 2026
FBEL-ELA Deadline: December 19, 2025
Summer Term 2026
Semester Start: May 18, 2026
FBEL-ELA Deadline: April 17, 2026
Fall Term 2026
Semester Start: August 31, 2026
FBEL-ELA Deadline: July 31, 2026
Spring Term 2027
Semester Start: January 26, 2027
FBEL-ELA Deadline: December 18, 2026
Summer Term 2027
Semester Start: May 24, 2027
FBEL-ELA Deadline: April 23, 2027
No. You are responsible for researching, contacting, and securing an internship site. The internship site should reflect your academic discipline.
Yes. However, you must develop the outcomes, goals, and complete the 80 hours for the internship separate from your regular responsibilities, all of which must be documented and agreed to by your supervisor. Many students have found that—for a number of reasons—completing an internship at their workplace was more complicated than they had anticipated.
No. You are required to develop outcomes for the internship that best reflect your responsibilities within the internship, your capstone, and your academic program outcomes. It is recommended that you develop these outcomes with your host site supervisor.
An increasing number of sites require a background check at the student’s expense (approximately $10 - $50, depending on the type of check).
You will probably not be permitted to complete an internship there and will need to find another site.
When planning for your internship, you should have a contingency plan in case your first choice site is not available. The College recommends that you secure two internship sites in the event that one becomes unavailable.
If you are ultimately unable to secure an internship site, you must consult your academic advisor for other capstone options.
You are required to register for an online capstone internship course as required by your academic program. You should anticipate completing assignments, contributing to discussion activities, and communicating with your faculty and peers just as you would in any other online course in your program. Most capstones require a final summative assignment as well.
No. You, the host site supervisor, and the faculty agree how/when the hours will be completed. However, all internship hours are required to be completed within the term.
It depends. If you complete the training within the term, the hours do count. If you complete it prior to the start of the term, the hours do not count.