UMass Boston

The internship is the capstone experience for all undergraduate Exercise and Health Sciences students. It is designed to provide a practical experience for students to further develop knowledge, skills and abilities in a real -world setting. Students can choose to complete a 400-hour or 200-hour experiential internship, which will be completed during their last semester of their undergraduate academic career.  In addition to the experiential hours, students will participate in a classroom component and complete assignments that aid them in processing and articulating their experiences at their internship. 

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the undergraduate internship requirement are expected to develop in the following areas over the course of the semester.

Work Experience

• Gained an understanding of a “real world setting” by contributing to the facility’s day-to-day operations
• Observed and then progressed to conducting a variety of duties assigned by supervisor
• Worked independently and as an integral member of the facility’s team.
• Became more aware of current issues and trends in the field
• Gained more specific knowledge and skills required in the field

Application of Learning

• Applied academic training, and university experiences, to the real-world setting
• Sought feedback from all supervisors and mentors about knowledge, skills, and practical application abilities
• Reflected on academic preparation and new knowledge developed during internship

Career Preparation

• Practiced professionalism on a day-to-day basis (e.g., dress, punctuality, communication, willingness to seek and grow from feedback, and willingness to take on any task)
• Networked with potential employers/organizations
• Gained valuable work experience to add to a resume
• Created a project that helped to add to a resume and can be used as a portfolio piece
• Updated resume and cover letter to be prepared to apply for jobs and/or graduate school

Evaluation and Assessment

• Reflected on and evaluated own strengths and areas of improvement
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with supervisors and mentors to evaluate progress, to process feedback, and to continue to develop as a new professional in the field

Types of Internship Experiences Offered

We have over 175 internship partner sites that our students can choose from.  These sites range from athletics, strength and conditioning and fitness to physical therapy, nursing, research and beyond.  This wide range of opportunities allows our students to have an internship experience that fits their needs and future career goals.  

Some of our internship partners include:

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
• Inspire Lab
• PT/OT
• ExPD Program
• Boston Ability Center
• Children’s Hospital
• Bay State Physical Therapy
• Hebrew Senior Life Rehab center
• Dirty water fitness
• YMCA
• InclYousion Sports
• Adaptive AIM Therapy
• Healthworks Community Fitness
• Boston College Strength and Conditioning
• New England Free jacks
• Healthy Chelsea, MGH Center for Community Health Improvement
• Boston Public Health Commission
• Winthrop Public Health Department
• Harvard Strength and Conditioning
• South Shore Health Cardiac Rehab
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute Dieli-Conwright lab
• UMB faculty research labs
• Brigham and Womens Hosptial
• Physical and Occupational therapy
• Stress Lab
• Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Physical Performance

Overview

The four pathways presented below (Pre-Health, Physical Activity/Health Promotion, Fitness/Strength and Conditioning, and Exercise Physiology) represent courses that are either required or specifically designed to optimize your success in a given career area. Students should work with their faculty and academic advisor to choose courses that are specific prerequisites for further study in their area of interest.

Pre-Health Pathway

For students interested in careers that include: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Athletic Training, Nursing, and Medicine.

Physical Activity/Health Promotion

For students who are interested in careers that include: Community Health Specialist, Health Educator, Special Populations Physical Activity Specialist, and Wellness Coach.

Fitness/Strength and Conditioning

For students that are interested in careers that include: Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, Sport Performance Coach, and Fitness or Recreation Manager.

Exercise Physiology

For students that are interested in careers that include: Certified Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Research Assistant, Coordinator, Director, or Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitative Specialist.

Student Success

Academic Career Engagement & Success (ACES)

The Center for Academic Excellence offers courses, academic coaching, tutoring, and mentoring with the goal of helping students to succeed at UMass Boston.

Academic Support Programs
CC-1-1300, 617.287.6550
gwc@umb.edu

Clinical and Internship Placement Office (CIPO)

CIPO supports students to ensure they are in compliance for clinical groups, internships, preceptorships, and practica.

Graduate Student Assembly (GSA)

The Graduate Student Assembly is comprised of representatives from each graduate college. In addition to funding graduate professional organizations, the GSA offers several different types of grants to assist graduate students' professional development and research. They host a graduate research conference as well as plan social activities to bring graduate students from different programs together.

Research Links

• Graduate Research Opportunities and Funds
• UMass Boston Research Policies and Procedures
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Studies provides students with information and guidance about general education curriculum and assessment, academic policy concerns, and waivers of deadlines and certain academic requirements.

Student Support Services (SSS)

SSS is a federally funded TRiO program that offers year-round academic, and career personalized advising services for college success to eligible students and comprehensively supports them until they graduate.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

There are many opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in meaningful, hypothesis-driven research under the direction of one of the many faculty members in the department. Many students who engage in research are given the opportunity to present their findings at conferences across the state, and undergraduate research also represents a way to give back to local communities and engage in health outreach. Interested students should speak to advisors and faculty members about the unique opportunities for undergraduate research in the respective laboratories.

Undergraduate EHS Club

The Undergraduate EHS Club provides a platform for events, outreach, and exposure to the many ways to utilize a degree in EHS for individual career goals. Additionally, members of this club will engage in the regional American College of Sports Medicine College Bowl, an annual competition of EHS knowledge between the EHS departments of all the major universities in the New England area.