Part-time Internship with Practicum, Rel. 3986/7 (6 Credits)

The part-time internship is taken for two consecutive semesters starting in September. Internship sites include churches, social service and social change agencies, campuses, and other institutions.  The internship, under the mentorship of a trained supervisor, is combined with a peer reflection group (Practicum) taught by a practitioner, for a total of fifteen hours a week.  Part-time Internship with Practicum carries three credits per semester. Completion of both semesters is required before credit is granted. Interns receive a grant through the Office of Financial Aid. Prerequisite: REL 3990 Negotiating Boundaries.

Part-time Internship with Advanced Practicum, Rel. 3988/9 (6 Credits)

This program is open to students who choose to do a second year of part-time internship.  The second internship can be arranged as a second year at the same site, or at a different site to provide another type of contextual experience.  In addition to typical internship responsibilities, each intern creates a unique but replicable major project. Projects involve substantive research and are presented to other students in the advanced practicum. Completion of both semesters is required before credit is granted. Students interested in a second internship should notify the Director of Supervised Ministries of their intent by February 1.

Site Requirements

A supervised ministry site must be able to:

• Give a student an opportunity to work with people on serious issues;
• Provide significant tasks that a student can accomplish and learn from on a part-time and short-term (less than one year) basis;
• Provide a stable context and consistent direction and oversight of a student’s activities;
• Enable a student to function in roles appropriate to their status as students in formation;
• Provide opportunities for the intern to gain new knowledge and experience rather than simply practice what they already know;
• Facilitate a student’s learning through ongoing conversation and reflection;
• Submit paperwork for the internship, as required by the Office of Supervised Ministries.

Sites are not required to pay the student’s stipend, but they are encouraged to assist with the cost of transportation so that interns serving at a distance outside of New Haven are not penalized.

Supervisor Qualifications and Requirements

Committed and effective supervision is crucial to the success of supervised ministry.  In order to maintain the integrity of the program, each supervisor is expected to have certain qualifications and meet specified requirements, including:

• A minimum of three years of experience in a professional position that qualifies them to supervise students; 
• At least one year in their current position;
• Provide a structure that is challenging and educational, as well as ample time to observe the intern’s practice of ministry and provide concrete feedback on it;
• Meet weekly for one hour with the student for supervision;
• Being present and able to work with an intern throughout the internship;
• Participation in orientation (if new to the YDS program) and one continuing education event annually in the skills of supervision/mentoring;
• Punctual submission of paperwork for the internship, as required by the Office of Supervised Ministries.
  

Theological Mentor Qualifications and Requirements

If the student has a theological mentor as well as a site supervisor (because the supervisor is not theologically trained or for another reason), the mentor should have the follow qualifications and meet these requirements:

• Theological education;
• A minimum of three years of experience in a professional position that qualifies them to mentor students; 
• Thorough knowledge of the internship site, including its mission and activities;
• An understanding of the work the student is to undertake as a form of ministry;
• Meet weekly for one hour with the student to reflect critically on the meaning and practice of ministry as well as the practical aspects of ministry;
• Being present and able to work with an intern throughout the internship;
• Participation in orientation (if new to the YDS program) and one continuing education event annually in the skills of supervision/mentoring;

Punctual submission of paperwork for the internship, as required by the Office of Supervised Ministries.