The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.
HLS 595A: Internship Experience in the Homeland Security Enterprise
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Library Resources | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Accommodating Disabilities | Additional Policies
Overview
A carefully supervised real-world experience in which students have intentional learning goals and reflect actively on academic competencies they are applying and on what they are learning throughout the experience.
This internship course combines an actual on-site internship with an accompanying credit-earning educational experience. It is designed to provide real-world experience in the homeland security enterprise. The course is an elective for students in the Intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security (iMPS-HLS) Program. Other students may be admitted upon request and credential evaluation.
Internships can be part-time or full-time and paid or unpaid. Interns may earn 3-6 credits. The number of credits a student can earn will be based on the character of the actual work performed in the internship, in particular the site-specific research project. Interns must complete at least 300 hours on the internship. This is equivalent to working 20 hours per week, although internship schedules are flexible and may be determined on an individual basis.
The course includes both an internship and accompanying academic supervision and discussion. It is available to students enrolled in all options related to the program. The course is an additional offering to specialized internship programs that are in place in some iMPS-HLS options. It focuses on a comprehensive real-world experience of the Homeland Security Enterprise:
- The internship provides real-work experience to enhance the educational experience and application of knowledge and skills acquired in the program.
- The accompanying academic supervision and discussion contribute to reaching the overall purpose of the course: to integrate academic and real world learning through an internship opportunity in a workplace setting.
Internship activities and assignments are designed to: understand how research and studies are conducted, used, or interpreted in the Homeland Security Enterprise to inform real-world decision-making; to enhance professional development; gain career-related experiences and to provide the opportunity for real-world application of knowledge in a workplace setting; and to prepare for potential job placements.
The internship and the accompanying course place students in numerous workplace and/or research settings that will allow them the opportunity to apply and integrate academic coursework within a professional setting to prepare for further job placement in the Homeland Security Enterprise. Additionally, internship activities and assignments are designed to meet individualized goals and skills, and to evaluate progress toward those competencies. Internship work will be evaluated on an on-going basis with the student intern, site supervisor, and faculty member involved in the process.
PREREQUISITES
Successfully completed iMPS-HLS core curriculum which consists of HLS 801, HLS 803, HLS 805; one of the iMPS-HLS Base Program or Option required courses; and a 3.0 GPA. Justified exceptions can be discussed with the instructor.
Permission from instructor is required to register for this course.
Course Objectives
- Understand the relationship(s) between academic coursework and professional practice in the homeland security enterprise.
- Identify and engage in internship activities designed to meet individualized learning goals and skills, and evaluate progress towards these competencies.
- Demonstrate effective communication with business professionals and/or other key stakeholders.
- Effectively self-evaluate internship performance regarding site and academic responsibilities.
- Gain practical skills and competencies in the homeland security enterprise, as well as identify additional preparation for future work opportunities and ongoing professional development as needed.
- Educate and provide reflections for future HLS interns.
Required Course Materials
- None.
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
- None.
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
Assignments:
Entry survey (mandatory, but not graded)
An online questionnaire to be completed.
Weekly logs with key learning experience reflections
To be completed as an online questionnaire. Weekly logs with key learning experience reflections. That log should not only list what you actually did, but also cover key learning experiences that illustrate new information you have learned from the week; in the reflection part of the log, include a statement about your progress and goals for the next week. It is a good idea to let your on-site internship supervisor must review the weekly logs.
Online discussion forums
Typically on a bi-weekly basis, answer to the question provided in the forum, and respond to 2 of your fellow students' postings.
Site-specific professional research project
Since this is a 500-level course, it has a research-related component. This will be a focused smaller-scale project defined together with your on-site supervisor, aligned to the actual work you are performing in the internship.
This project will vary depending on your internship roles, responsibilities and needs of the organization. Examples of possible projects include but are not limited to: program evaluations, creation of any type of presentations (such as power points, executive summaries), any educational portfolio, or conducting a research policy project.
You are required to submit a project outline with milestones and deliverables in the beginning, and then the actual report at the end of the course. The final version of the report must include at least the following chapters:
- Introduction and justification of topic, and how it relates to homeland security and iMPS-HLS educational objectives
- Methods and Materials
- Results and Discussion
- Summary and Conclusions
- Practical Recommendations
- Annex: Table of Project Deliverables, including short descriptions and main findings of each deliverable
Internship experience report
This report is a summary and critical analysis of your internship experience during theis semester. Provide tangible results of your site-specific research project and also cover your internship experience in general. Do not include a mere recitation of your weekly logs, but a detailed reflection on how your work experience will assist in your current career or alter your future career aspirations. The report should further include and self-evaluation of your experience, an self assessment, and provide an overall rating of your internship and lastly provide any comments/recommendations on how to improve the experience as well as advising other students to participate in an internship in the homeland security enterprise.
The provided template must be used. The length of the internship experience report should be at least 9,000 characters including spaces, equaling 3-4 pages.
Evaluation of on-site performance
An assessment of your overall internship achievement on-site. This will take into account your on-site supervisor’s assessment that is to be completed on a given form.
Exit survey (mandatory, but not graded)
An online questionnaire to be completed.
Assignment weights:
| Assignment name | Due | Point | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry survey (mandatory, but not graded) | Lesson 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Weekly logs with key learning experience reflections | Lessons 1-14 | 140 | 18% |
| Online discussion forums
Approximately 400 words each, and meaningful responses two two fellow students' postings |
Lessons 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 | 80 | 10% |
|
Site-specific professional research project report Outline: approximately 3 pages, including a list of project-related milestones and deliverables Interim report: approximately 5 pages Final report: approximately 10 pages The final version must include at least the following chapters:
|
Outline:
Interim:
Final:
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235
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30%
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Internship Experience Report
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Draft:
Final:
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125
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16%
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Evaluation of on-site internship performance
|
Lesson 15 | 200 | 26% |
| Exit survey (mandatory, but not graded) | Lesson 15 | 0 | 0% |
| TOTAL | 780 | 100% |
Grading:
| Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A = (Excellent) Indicates exceptional achievement | 100% - 94% |
| A- | < 94% - 90% |
| B+ | < 90% - 87% |
| B = (Good) Indicates extensive achievement | < 87% - 84% |
| B- | < 84% - 80% |
| C+ | < 80% - 77% |
| C = (Satisfactory) Indicates acceptable achievement | < 77% - 70% |
| D = (Poor) Indicates only minimal achievement | < 70% - 60% |
| F = (Failure) Indicates inadequate achievement necessitating a repetition of the course in order to secure credit | < 60% |
Further information on Penn State's grading system is available at the University Registrar Website.
Late Submission Policy
After a grace period of two (2) calendar days, the following late submission deductions apply:
- For submission 3-4 days late, 10% will be deducted from your assignment score.
- For submission 4-5 days late, 20% will be deducted from your assignment score.
- Submissions more than 5 days late will not be accepted (i.e., it will be given 0 points) unless a deferred grade procedure was requested by the student before day 5 of submission overdue.
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Course Schedule
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Course Length: 16 weeks
NOTE: All due dates reflect North American Eastern time (ET).
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Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
Submissions may by checked by Turnitin for originality and for potential academic integrity issues.
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Student Conduct & Responsibilities
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Principles
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.
Military Students
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Mental Health
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Report Bias
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your Course Director will notify you of any changes.