Internships

Purpose of the internship

The purpose of the internship is to provide the fledgling emergency manager with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience related to all four phases of Emergency Management. The internship is a key component of the Emergency Administration and Planning program and provides pre-career students an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge and develop professional skills that will lead to a successful career. Moreover, the internship experience frequently provides the student with an entry into a permanent position.

Emergency Administration and Planning students must complete an internship of at least 240 hours of employment. Students must register for EADP 4800, EADP Internship Preparation, and complete the course before beginning an internship appointment. This three hour course meets four times during the semester and prepares students for an internship. Career testing, resume and interview preparation, and discussions of professional and ethical conduct are covered. When the student is ready to begin an internship, the internship coordinator will assist in identifying internships, but the student is ultimately responsible for securing an appointment.

Internships may be completed during the summer months, on a part-time basis during the academic year, or once all course work has been completed.

Internship Practicum Testimonials
Recent EADP Internship Placements

For more information, please contact the EADP Internship Coordinator,
Mr. Richard Gaston; 940/565-2213; richard.gaston@unt.edu ; Chilton Hall 204P

Internship Details

There are three categories for internships in the EADP program:

Students with no professional work experience: 42 hours in major

Required: Internship Preparation (EADP 4800)
Required: Internship Practicum (EADP 4810) and a 240 hour internship.

Students with professional work experience (but not in EADP field): 42 hours in major

*Not required: Internship Preparation (EADP 4800)

• If you are waived from EADP 4800, you must take 4810 and substitute the Internship Preparation course (4800) with 3 hours of another EADP elective. This change must be approved. Please see Mr. Richard Gaston, EADP Internship Coordinator (Chilton 204P) to request a waiver.

Required: Internship Practicum (EADP 4810) and a 240 hour internship.

Students with three (3) years professional work experience in EADP: 39 hours in major

*Not required: Internship Preparation (EADP 4800)

• Must substitute 3 hours of another EADP elective to replace this course

*Not required: Internship Practicum (EADP 4810) and a 240 hour internship

• This change must be approved. Please see Mr. Richard Gaston, EADP Internship Coordinator (Chilton 204P) to request a waiver.

Notes

• If you choose the 39 hour degree plan, you may not complete an internship for credit.
• EADP 4810 (Internship Practicum) is a restricted enrollment course and requires a permission code for registration. You MUST contact the Internship Coordinator prior to your registration date. It is best to acquire your code at least two weeks prior to your registration date. DO NOT wait until the day you are scheduled to register to try to obtain your registration code.

EADP 4800 - Internship Preparation

During Internship Preparation, students will meet with the internship coordinator to begin arranging their internship. The internship coordinator will assist the student in securing a practicum, but the final responsibility for finding an internship rests with the student.

• Enroll in Internship Preparation at least one semester before beginning an internship.
• Topics covered in this course include: career counseling, resume development, professionalism and interviewing skills.

EADP 4810 - Internship Practicum

Students will meet during scheduled classes to monitor progress, discuss experiences, turn in documentation and resolve concerns. The dates, locations and time for the class will be announced at the beginning of each semester via student email.

• Internship Coordinator must approve internship prior to beginning internship. If it is not approved, it will not count.
• Students should have completed EADP 4800, 3035, 3045, and approximately one-half of their degree coursework before beginning an internship.
• After a student has arranged for an internship, he/she must register for Internship Practicum (EADP 4810).

Note

EADP 4810 is a restricted enrollment course and requires a restriction code for registration. You must contact the Internship Coordinator prior to registration in order to enroll in this course. It is best to acquire your code at least two weeks prior to your registration date. Do NOT wait until the day you are scheduled to register to try to obtain your registration code.

Obtaining an Internship

Internship opportunities are available with a variety of public agencies and departments, as well as at various levels of government. Students may also serve as interns in the private and nonprofit sectors. Internships complement coursework in the major field with practical, hands on knowledge. Students gain a better understanding of emergency management principles while also obtaining experience, credentials and identity in the field. EADP internships therefore serve a very important step in the student's career preparation and development.

If you anticipate an internship in the future, you should begin thinking about the type of work experience you would like to complete. For example, consider whether you hope to work in the public, private or nonprofit sector. Then, narrow the choice further by specific organization (e.g. municipal government or FEMA) and functional area (e.g. planning or response). The internship preparation course will also help to identify strengths and areas of possible interest.

Students may find an internship by checking the Cooperative Education Database online, networking, and reading professional newsletters. To register for access to the Cooperative Education Database, please see Mr. Richard Gaston, Chilton 204P. To qualify for credit, the internship must be approved by the Internship Coordinator prior to beginning the internship, be related to Emergency Administration and Planning, and supervised by a professional in the field.

For a list of currently available internship positions, please visit the Cooperative Education and Internship Office's website. 

Contact Internship Coordinator

If you have any questions on internship requirements or procedure, please contact the Internship Coordinator, Mr. Ricahrd Gaston, in Chilton Hall 204P or (940) 565-2213.

Internship Waiver Form

Occasionally, students will enter the Emergency Administration and Planning program with professional experience in the field. Students who feel they have a great deal of experience directly related to emergency management can appeal for an internship waiver. Students will need to be able to articulate in a scholarly manner how their full-time professional experiences directly relate to all four phases of emergency management. A faculty committee will carefully review the request. If a student is waived from the internship requirement, their degree plan will be altered. Additionally, a few students will have sufficient experience in a professional setting although not necessarily related to emergency management. In this situation, students may appeal to be waived from the Internship Preparation class, but still expect to do an internship. In order to be waived from the Internship Preparation Course, students will fill out the Internship Waiver Request. If the student is granted a waiver from EADP 4800, then the student will need to meet with the Internship Coordinator BEFORE accepting an internship for academic credit.

Available here.