PSYC 524 Internship in I/O Psychology - Louisiana Tech University

PSYC 524
Internship in I/O Psychology
Instructor: Tilman Sheets, Ph.D. WH109 (318) 257-4315 tilman@latech.edu
Website: http://www.latech.edu/tech/education/psychology/internship/
Course Description
The internship is normally completed as the final course in the 33-hour Master’s degree program in
Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology at Louisiana Tech University. The internship requires
the completion of an applied project under the joint supervision of an I/O Psychology faculty
member and a project supervisor at the internship site. This can be in the form of a structure project
or a plan to participate in a variety of activities that fall under the scope of I/O psychology.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, successful students will be able to:
1. Transfer knowledge acquired in I/O psychology coursework to a problem or opportunity in the
workplace.
2. Document the outcomes of the project and communicate them to management.
3. Experience the application of I/O psychology in a real world setting.
4. Bridge the gap between theory and practice in I/O psychology.
Grading Policy
90% = A; 80% = B; 70% = C; 60% = D;

Initial Presentation
Discuss your project with the instructor beforehand to ensure that your plan is appropriate for the
class. The initial presentation should be done as if you were a consultant responding to a Request
for Proposal (RFP). Presentations should be done in a professional manner. Most students will
choose to use PowerPoint but this is not a requirement. Charts, graphs, handouts, and other visual
aids may be utilized. The primary purpose of this presentation is to give you feedback on both your
internship plan and your presentation style. Students who attempt to present without adequately
preparing will not receive credit for their presentation.
Mid-Term Progress Report
At the midpoint of the quarter, the intern will submit a progress report describing the internship, its
scope and deliverables, and the current status. This report should be approximately 2-4 pages in
length and should also document any unexpected problems or issues with the internship. As needed,
the faculty mentor, the on-site supervisor, and the intern will make any needed adjustments to the
internship.
Project Report and Activity Log
The internship report (4-5 pages) should contain a narrative description of the internship and its
outcomes. The report should include a critical assessment of your experience and include references
(books, research, etc.) which support your views. Any deliverables should be documented and
included as attachments. An activity log documenting the hours spent at the internship site should be
attached to the project report.
Final Presentation
The final presentation will be used to present the information contained in the Project Report. Once
again, students should approach the project as if they were presenting the results of a consulting
project to an organization’s board of directors. Students should use the feedback from their initial
project in designing this presentation.
Evaluation of the Intern
The on-site supervisor will complete a confidential evaluation of the quality and quantity of the
intern’s work, and this will comprise part of the intern’s grade in the course. This evaluation could
be completed using the standard performance appraisal process of the internship site’s organization
or on a form provided by Louisiana Tech.
Course Calendar
First Week
Third Week
Fifth Week
Ninth Week
Introduction and discussion of internship plans
Initial Presentation
Midterm Report (via mail or in person)
Final Report with ancillary materials (log, forms, etc.) and Site Evaluation
PSYC 524 Internship in I/O Psychology 2